Xgaze

Hi all, Going to attempt my first report, only owned and been using a telescope for two weeks! (SW Heritage 150 Dobsonian stock EP's 25mm &10mm & StarGuider 8mm. & Astro Essentials 32mm.) So, please be kind! Well, wow! What an experience!! Massive understatement! Camping with the family in the Doone Valley for two nights. Viewing obscured, as expected, particularly the horizon East and West but the night sky was incredible! The moon made its way over as a few light objects speckled the sky here and there. One advantage with being in the valley was the moon drops suddenly and quickly and allows the dark to reveal the Milky way in all its glory. Only really managed shortish sessions around 1.5hrs. seem to find myself changing EPs too many times which in the dark, takes some getting used to! Friday Night Began with a couple of double stars ALBERIO ALMACH Great views of both, nice to note the colour diffences. The dew was setting in and also thick fog. Didn't seem to hamper vision but needed to be aware of dampness. Dob was mounted on a solid small wooden table. Tried my new 32m EP. Totally blown away!! Eye was completely filled with stars, breathtaking. Didn't seem to need a target at this point, happy to just slowly slew around and drinking it all in! Thanks to those that recommended that EP for these skies! Surpassed any expectations! Felt ready to target some DSO's... Decided to aim for a Globular Cluster. M13 in Hercules wasn't easy to find at first using the Lazer pointer, particularly as it had started to condensate. Perseverance prevailed! What a buzz! Smiling broadly to myself as it came I to view, even more so when I swapped the punchy, wide 32m for the 8mm EP. Okay, these things didn't show much detail, I think I could just about make out one or two individual stars within the cluster, but training the eye, keeping focus and allowing my brain to interpret what is there has been an invaluable and profound experience! Ended the season with a quick view of Saturn which had now risen just above treeline. I have to say; I didn't really notice the difference between the stock 10m EP that came with the scope and the £49 StarGuider 8mm !! In fact, if I had to choose I think the stock EP had the edge!! SATURDAY Fog and dew even heavier! Found that sitting comfortably is so important! Need to sort this before the cold nights set in or, my back will suffer! Finding the right posture felt like it had added magnification and clarity!! Went for the double cluster in Perseus NGC869/884 these were a joy to scan with the 32mEP picking out some brilliant details and individuality. Then decided to go for some galaxies, not really expecting much luck, I was using Stellarium but having to use spectacles for looking at my phone, then trying to glance over them to look at the sky and use a dodgy, steamy pointer, I didn't think I manage much!! Supprised as I found M81 BODES Aain, little detail but a huge sense of achievement! Gazed for a while, swapping between 10mm & 8mm EP. Again, not much different bit what a show! This was feeling was met again with M51 WHIRLPOOL Smiling to myself now seeing my second galaxy ever! And allowing my mind to bathe in the bewildering but fascinating and enchanting craziness of it all! At this point, I could see Cygnus behind me and thought, ANDROMEDA ! Okay, again these things are just smudges really but it's still ANDROMEDA! Very large, I thought in comparison to the other two? Mind perhaps playing tricks as I thought I could see the odd pathways. Totally hooked on my new hobby, something I've always been awestruck since as far as I can remember, quite profound really and terribly exciting!! Camping for a week on Exmoor next week! Hoping for a few clear nights. Thanks for reading, apologies in advance for my lack of terminology and any mistakes. To that end, I'm happy for any feedback ,tips and advice. Best, T

Thank you all for your replies. I left on Friday afternoon and so, frustratingly i was unable to read any posts until now! No phone reception but luckily, Stellarium was working on GPS! I'm going to attempt a proper report in the section but can confirm; it was a spectacular two nights viewing!! Mind truly blown, stimulated and a huge amount of processing and learning. I managed to see some of the objects advised in your replies including some DSO's. Although, a few mentioned by you all i did not see and have noted for the next, highly anticipated session! So, thanks again! Some successes: M13 NGC 869/884, M81 Bodes M51 whirlpool did not expect these!! Also Andromeda (okay, no detail but WOW!) As well as.a few other objects... I now feel I've begun learning so much, supprised myself and am completely excited and enthused! Much appreciated, T

Hello all, Firstly, just to say thanks to all on here that have offered me help and advice so far... What a great bunch of people! So, I'm off camping in Exmoor national park for two nights today. Really excited! I have a Heritage 150 Dob. Had my best session yet last night, viewing the gas giants and a couple of double stars. Was somewhat hampered by views to the North and West. Also, found I needed to plan better. Although, the time at the eyepiece is providing invaluable. I'm not expecting the clearest views of the horizon tonight but might venture out of the Doone Valley if family commitments allow! Would really like to test my new EPs a 32mm and StarGuider 8mm in addition to the stock EP 10mm & 25mm on some DSOs. Is this wishful thinking? I'm quite realistic that I'm not Hubble! But would love to see some globular clusters perhaps nebulae and maybe a galaxy or two, is this realistic? If so, any targets please. Have already begun a plan that includes being prepared with somewhere to place the DOB, ready for dew, red torch, warm-up/cool down. And a list of a few double stars that, I hope, are achieveable. Read the thread on here about session planning kindly and brilliantly written by Nick, very useful and lots noted. Just hoping some of you might give a few extra targets and tips? Many thanks, T

Thanks all. When I said "I've trawled through the EP topics" I clearly hadn't really given enough attention! 😆 From your advice I have gone ahead and purchased a StarGuider 8mm EP and also, after considering the, much appreciated, replies above. Also purchased a 32mm Astro Essentials Super Plossl. It now makes sense to me that a wider view in dark skies would be beneficial. Hope these two EPs are a good choice!? Am aware that the 32mm is an affordable type but reviews seem to think there well worth the money? So, holding off the Barlow (budgets blown for now!🤑) I'll keep and eye out for a good deal or second hand one, if anyone sees one, please let me know. Many thanks, T

Hello all, Had a great session last night! Blown away by views of Jupiter amd, finally Saturn! Using the stock eyepieces with the scope (finding 10mil the best) I feel I'm ready for an upgrade. Was trying to see M31 (Andromeda galaxy) but really struggled and didn't manage, I guess this is too must to expect from the basic setup? Anyways...my main quandary is, I'm off camping in the Exmoor dark skies reserve on Friday afternoon. So, would really like to know if I'm best getting a Barlow X2 and a BST 5mill eyepiece? I know there's lots of threads on this topic, have trawled them and this seems the best option. Just wanted to double check, in a rush! I know that's not the best way to do these things but wanted to make sure I get the best I can out of this weekends opportunity! My budget is £100 for both. TIA.

Very interesting and, as you say, concise. Struggled last night with the cloud. Only managed to see the twin stars Epsilon in Lyra. Still good practice even with my cat spooking me in the dark! Many thanks for the link. Much appreciated as always. Tony

Thanks Heather! Yes, Great scope, love it already! So, that explains why I didn't see Saturn, not just the fact I was excitedly and frantically scampering around the house half dressed at silly 'o' clock!😬 Is Stellarium a good app to use? I have been using Starwalk2 (for a year or so before getting this scope) which I think is a bit gimmicky, specially with its Ethereal music! which was okay before but now I'm pretending to be an "Astronomer" 😆 albeit very amateurish and seriously underfunded! I feel I should use a better one! I'll take a look at it, seems to be plenty out there. Picking up some 2mm foam tomorrow for a shroud. Supprised that it doesn't come with the scope!? Thanks again, T

Thanks! Here's hoping for clear skies!

Thanks! Trying to creep around the house without waking abyone, like being a teenager again! Did you get some good views, what scope do you use?

Hi all, First use of new Heritage 150. Got up early this morning (can see this being a theme!) saw first view of Jupiter could just faintly make out some banding and, at least two moons, perhaps one was Ganymede? Was hoping for Saturn but I'm guessing it was too light by 4:30am? Also hampered by trees in the garden! This shot of the moon was using my smartphone held to the lens! Very pleased with the start to my astrological journey! So happy, roll on dark skies!! Thanks for looking

Thank you so much Heather!! Some excellent advice there, very much appreciated!! I saw Chris's video RE the two mods. Will surely be doing this. Your DIY setup looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing again. It's exactly what I was thinking. I enjoy making things like this from whatevers available might even have a go at a scope one day! The 'turn left at Orion' book looks to be a good recommendation, there's some cheap second hand ones on eBay. Spare batteries! Great shout! Hoping it's collimated still when it arrives, do you find you need to adjust yours often? I guess it depends on how much it's moved around a d temperature changes? It's being delivered tomorrow, so excited!! Like a kid again!😂 Thanks again for such a detailed response! Tony

Hi all, I'm about to purchase a skywatcher Heritage 150 Dobsonian. Looking for advice and tips please. I live near a dark skies reserve, Exmoor. Will be using it camping. Is finding a sturdy base an issue? Also, will dew be an issue? Any help much appreciated! TIA!