What a night for First Light!

[Johnny Hormone]

Finally, after 2 months of owning my little Skywatcher 130PM, it has been out and first light has been had!

Despite my leg still in cast, I enlisted a friend to assist and we set up at 8 this evening. Naturally much of the time was spent with the moon - well it was its big night !!! It looked fantastic pre the eclipse, and the colours and detail during the evening were truely great.

As the sky darkened we swung round to look at a sight I have been waiting to see since Christmas... :saturn:

Boy was that worth the wait, absolutely amazing and time just disappeared.

We took a quick look towards M42 and played with the packaged x2 Barlow for fun, before returning to the Moon in time to see its "reappearance" and have a play with the Philips webcam... I think I have a long way to go, not least in learning to enhance the images, but for a first go it was fun in itself and a first image in the collection

Anyhow, back in at 01.30, frozen to the core but with a big grin on my face!

I am looking forward to lots of time with my little scope, bins and camera, but I know at some point a larger beast with a more substantial mount is a must!

[Cloudgazer]

Congratulation's on your first light - could'nt have picked a better night for it.

I'm no expert but that image looks pretty good for a first effort to me. 10/10 for going out observing with your leg in plaster - that's dedication.

I was looking at getting a Skywatcher Explorer 130PM as a first scope myself until I switched my attention to the Skyliner dob's -I still like the look of the 130 PM though.

Enjoy your new (2 month old) kit.

Scott

[Saso]

Nice picture and a great night for start with new scope.

Saso

[Kai]

Yup last night was just about perfect,as well as the eclipse i got a chance to try out my new OIII filter on M42

[geppetto]

Great that you got out and enjoyed your belated first light Johnny

and an image to prove it mate. Nice one

Don't underestimate that 130P, I have bigger scopes but I aint parting

with my little 130, too versatile a scope 8)

[Johnny Hormone]

I was amazed at what I was able to see with it Geppetto, it really is amazing that such a small scope can show so much and in fine detail too.

Desperate to get back out there and have another go, but with this rain and heavy cloud I guess it could be a while.

But for a first time out, just brilliant

[Albireo380]

Congratulations on a great "First Light" report JH. You must be really pleased with the image and with the 'scope. A cracker of a firsdt light for you.

Tom

[dazza1639]

Great first light report. Glad you enjoyed it.

Darren

[SteelRat]

That 130 should be a cracker - one you can use OFTEN too! Good report JH - glad you enjoyed