My first week with my first scope

[mcro89]

Hey all,

So i have spent my first week with my Skywatcher Explorer 150p EQ3-2 with dual motors. Its been amazing!

I got the scope 2nd hand from SGL member Simms last saturday and luckily i have had clear nights for most of the week. I have been reading a lot about scopes for ages so i had a fair idea of how to work it all and my first few targets were Jupiter, Andromeda, Orion Nebula, Moon and the Double Cluster above Perseus.

The view of Jupiter blew me away! it was amazing. The Double Cluster was good to explore as well as getting a nice close view of the moon at its craters.

The scope itself is great i can tell already that it was the perfect choice for a first scope and that it will last be a good while before i even think of upgrading. Another thing which will keep me busy is astrophotography.

I have been interested in photography for a good few years and got myself a nice new DSLR a last year so it was only natural to be curios of how to attach it to my scope. Now i know a lot of people warn people that astrophotography is a big hobby with a steep learning curve but I am not in any rush to get hubble like images and i think you can still get some good photos with my setup. I love playing with photography and i had some great fun with this scope and my camera.

Here are my first astro images from this first week with my scope:

The Moon:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48623423@N08/6269115613/in/photostream/

Andromeda:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48623423@N08/6269641716/in/photostream/

Orion Nebula:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48623423@N08/6269641110/in/photostream/

So as i said its a start to my astro photography

To add to my week i also located a very good dark site around 30min drive away so hopefully in the weeks to come i will be able to get my scope there for even better viewing and imaging.

Thanks for reading.

Matt

[Astro Imp]

Hi Matt,

Nice report and a good spread of objects you observed in your first week.

As you can see from my sig. I have the same setup as you and have had some great nights with it.

You really shouldn't be getting a week of good weather as soon as you get your scope

Hope you have many more great nights.

Good luck.

[rory]

nice pic's,

[mcro89]

Thanks, I was expecting it to cloud over for a month when i got it but luckily its been clear.

[Rapallokid]

nice pics, but be careful with your flikr account the attched map pretty much gives away your address. im sure you want to keep a hold of your scope etc.

[Simms]

Nice work!! Be sure to use `Mirror lock up` on your DSLR when imaging the moon.. Glad to see you are getting on with it..

[todd8137]

Nice work!! Be sure to use `Mirror lock up` on your DSLR when imaging the moon.. Glad to see you are getting on with it..

hi Simms how much difference does mirror lock up make on the moon and in general mt dob 300p is not great but i get decent shots of the moon, but how much difference does mirror lock up make? ?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Really nice report. Excellent first astrophotos as well. You have every reason to be pleased with your first week with a scope.