First light - Wow!

[jamcart]

My dob (GS880 10" from TS) arrived while I was at work, and when I got home I quickly started setting it up. My daughter helped with most of the build, and was really excited (not just by the surprise packet of haribo delivered with it - thanks Michael @ TS!), but as she's only five she had to go to bed before I got it assembled.

After my surprise at how quickly it came together (particularly with my DIY skills) I was even more surprised at how quickly it was collimated using a laser collimator; secondary mirror didn't need anything, Primary just a few turns. I realised I needed to line up the 8x50 finder, but couldn't wait so shifted her out to the garden to cool.

She cooled down quickly, and while using the moon to align the finder roughly and Jupiter to fine tune the alignment, I was awestruck by amazing views of the Moon and Jupiter and it's moons with the 30mm wide angle lens. Moved to the 9mm and picked out incredible detail of the Moon and a great view of Jupiter's bands - wow! Took a look over at Betelgeuse too, and by that time I'd been out for an hour and a half, so came in too thrilled to be cold and carefully put the kit away.

Looking forward to sharing the views with my daughter tonight if skies are clear, more views of the Moon, Jupiter and searching for some DSOs. I might even try a few Moon shots over the next week.

Thanks to you all for your advice, and TS for great and fast service. It feels like we've embarked on a journey to other worlds (which, in a way, we have)!

Clear skies!

[M4lcs67]

Excellent. Looks like you may have been bitten by the bug then? Don't worry. It happens to us all.

[andyman]

no where you are coming from i was exactly the same when i got my scope could not wait to assemble it scuttling round like a kid on christmas morning hope you get clear skies

[Moonshane]

great report - it never gets boring listening to first light reports. you have bought a fine instrument and seem to have got the knack very quickly indeed! hope your little one enjoys the vews too. if not, just promise more sweets :0)

[Luke]

Congrats on the new scope! We've got a 10 inch GSO dob too from TS - I love it! A lot of aperture, a low hassle scope (so long as the large size is not a problem), and I find it relatively easy to move. I got a cracking view of M51 the Whirlpool galaxy a few weeks back, while the moon was out of the way. Have fun exploring!

[knobby]

Nice report and what a bonus that your daughter is exited by it... Long may that continue.

Its great when you can share something like this with her.

just get her a little stool to stand on

[Lenny147]

Sounds like a good night, hope you have many more to come

[ronin]

Your daughter will not need a stool to stand on , she will need a scope to look through. :rolleyes:

Preferably the same size as yours or bigger. :grin:

Come to think of it by tonight it could no longer be your scope. :p

[mapstar]

Sounds great and a lovely thought having your daughter interested, get my first scope on Thursday and really giddy clear skies always

[Double Kick Drum]

Great stuff Jamcart.

Enjoy your scope!

[HIP3802]

A great write-up, Jamcart! Congrats on the new scope.