Marvin Jenkins

Let’s just cut to the chase and ask the question, Which twelve scopes can you not do without? You know who you are!

Marvin

Here is my M1

I will challenge you. I will post my first M1 then you can chuck in your M13. 

You will have to give me a little time as it on my office pc but I will do my best as quick as possible.

My M1 was a Nikon D3100, unguided on a 150pds mounted on an EQ5 goto. No filters, no software, just a single exposure.

Marvin

7 minutes ago, Bugdozer said:

Yes! Although I didn't post it up here because people might point and laugh compared to some of the amazing shots that get posted. I am proud of it though. 

Also, well done for being able to read by abominable handwriting! 

Your own pictures are yours and as such are for you to determine quality and importance.

I have a single shot of the Crab M1. It won’t win an award but it is mine on a nights observing I will never forget as it is simply the night I took my first picture of the Crab.

Marvin

It’s so nice to see your notes. First picture taken M13. 
 

That’s perfect. A space for your own notes. I added a few paper labels with dates of observation. Nice to have a memento and I prefer yours.

Marv

I would say a lot better than that in central Paris but you have to weigh that against smoke from cooking and heating fires.

M

Actually the sentence before that maybe the bit that has changed the most. Your total confidence that you will be observing this coming weekend. I am yer to find an Astronomer that looks one day into the future with any form of certainty.

Marv

Wow, I think we have as many questions for you as you do for the membership. I love the statement so much has changed in 40 years!

I was 10

Marv

When I first started astronomy and found out about the Messier list I downloaded a bunch of star charts from free star charts.com.

I laminated them and placed them in a plastic ring folder so I could use it during the dew heavy nights. The first pages with photos and technical info were very helpful.

Marv

Just to be sure, I am not trying to discourage you. Messiers go get them when you can.

We have a kind of opposites thing going on. I got 75% with a 130 newt and finished with a 150 newt under B3/4 skies.

You have a bit more aperture but more light pollution, which will be an interesting comparison so keep us informed.

Marv

2 hours ago, IB20 said:

Well that’s M2 in the bag. Globs are always a very easy spot. Only took the 15x bins out at an easy grab north of Sadalsuud. Whilst in the area I thought I’d get M15 too, save me waiting. A much brighter core than M2 and I’d bet it looks better in a big scope too!

Will post in order as it’ll save my brain cells but will record it elsewhere.

M2 11/11/23 - an easily detectable globular cluster (15x70 binoculars). 

M68 is a Globular. You are going to find that your second sentence might come back to bite you.

Take note of #Zermelo. His remaining handful are all southern targets just like me at the end and I could have avoided that situation from my Latitude with a little planning.

Good luck Zermelo. Which 9 are left to observe?

Marv

I am wishing you luck IB20. I have observed the 110 Ms and I can offer just a small bit of advice. 
Be careful about planning. As an example I wizzed through the easier ones at a time the hardest were visible. When it can to the tough ones (very southern) I was in winter!

M68 became my personal Messier Nemesis. I hovered at 109/110 for nearly two years due to lack of opportunities, weather and suchlike. I finally managed it but it felt more like relief not triumph and that’s not how I thought it would be.

Well done on M1 by the way. My diary for first observation describes it as a small puff of grey smoke.

Marvin

I am not the oldest member on this site by a long long shot but I clearly remember this question coming up in 2019 maybe.

I distinctly remember the thread being shut down as some members “got hand bags at dawn” about owning a Tak and then getting cheap on paint.

I don’t care one way or the other but it does make me giggle. What should be be taken more seriously is the term “handbags at dawn” which I suspect many people across the pond and farther afield may find confusing.

It basically describes a fight outside a pub (bar) or disco tech (nightclub) between drunken ladies hitting each other with handbags.

The truth which I have witnessed in Skegness (don’t ask) is actually far more violent and traumatic.

M.   I just use the single letter in moments of stress.

2 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Yet more stuff for my new adventure into EAA and AP. A light pad, a USB3.2 cable and a 120MM mini. Just need some clear skies now.

 

Light pad?

2 hours ago, badhex said:

Bumper day for me! A couple of sales of bits I don't need (thanks @Mr Spock and @adyj1) plus refund for a couple of truly dreadful rail journeys (thanks EMR) have allowed me the purchase of a lovely new StellaLyra 30mm UFF to add to my burgeoning low power EP collection (24mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 41mm) 😂

Ooooh, what is it about a lovely bit of coated green glass?

Sorry I just posted in the wide field section in my excitement. I have a Lemmon in the bag.

Marv

Just come in from an unexpected and incorrectly forecast clear evening.

10x50 bins and with a lot of dark adaptation I found  H2 Lemmon. I am so happy as I have had no opportunities for Astro for some time and the forecast continues to be terrible.

I will have to check my books but this maybe my 10th comet. Thanks to everyone for the heads up. If a miracle happens and it is clear tomorrow I will get the 5” newt on it.

Marvin

Just now, callisto said:

Making good use of your Tak catalogue Jeremy 

Unlike me Jeremy has the funds for gambling. I would be happy with the catalog for Japanese bath mixers.

M

32 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Japanese roulette 

I am uncomfortable with two languages in one sentence. Especially as the sentence is just two words.

It is a bath tap knob after all.

M

4 hours ago, JeremyS said:

What is it? A focuser for the directionally confused? I know… Tak bath tap knob.

M

Welcome 

I have found a way to get clear skies every time! Stellarium. I took a look yesterday at lunchtime and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky.

I had it set for my long/lat and it was belting down but  not in Stellarium world. I have decided to move there permanently.

Marv

11 hours ago, michael8554 said:

You mean Storms Storms Storms.............  :-<

Michael

I have just seen what is coming…. Batten down the hatches.

I have decided on a completely different angle. I have bought a camera and some other kit specifically to photograph clouds!

I figure that if buying telescope kit brings the clouds then kit for photography of clouds will make them go away.

It is currently raining so hard I can’t get outside to take a photo😂

Looks like my plan backfired.

M