Superb session with my C8

[RobertI]

For the first time in fifteen years I finally have a dark, private garden in which to observe! Last night was wonderfully clear and transparent, so armed with my C8 mounted on a Skytee 2 and Sky Safari on iPhone, I ventured forth.....

Using a F6.3 reducer and 21mm Hyperion giving 60x I started with M42. The detail was superb and it really was like viewing in HD compared to my usual 72mm refractor (which by the way is a fabulous as a grab and go instrument). The 'wings' of the nebula were clearly brown in colour and the trapezium a joy to behold. Plenty to see and I stayed fro some time 'getting my eye in'. 

Next was the Pleaides. Not all the members could be seen in the FOV at once but two seemed to have large amount of nebulosity around them. I can't be certain as my eyes see a glow around most bright stars, but this was irregular and very large.

Next on to Ursa Major. I quickly found M97 and M108 and got them both in the FOV.  M108 showed subtle mottling and a clearly visible star superimposed. M97 was small and surprisingly bright but no 'eyes' were visible. M109 was slightly less bright with none of the spiral structure visible to my eye. Scanning south, found M51 which showed a distinct gap between the two parts. Further south, another galaxy appeared, according to the charts it was the Silver Needle galaxy, but didn't look very needle like to my eye, perhaps I identified the wrong one. 

I tried switching in 10mm Hyperion eyepiece giving 120x for some of these objects but it didn't really help. I tried the Seben zoom but the results didn't seem so good at any magnification, especially with the reduced FOV. This zoom seems to work better in the 72mm. I felt that a touch more magnification, say 80x, might have improved the views by darkening the sky and improving contrast.  

By this time the moon was starting to appear so I finished off by scanning the milky way and visiting a number of old friends in Auriga and Cassiopeia.

This was the best observing session I have had in many, many years. The equipment delivered fantastic views and the new observing site was a dream, especially the ability to view south which I have not been able to do for a long time. So next time I shall be making the most of the southerly view by exploring the galaxies in Leo.

 

[Swoop1]

Anice report Rob. It sounds like you new venue is going to be fantastic.

[John]

Great report Rob

Nice to hear about a C8 being used on the Skytee II as well.

If you get a chance, try an O-III filter on M97. M108 all but dissapears but the planetary nebula becomes quite a bit better defined - you might even get "eyes" if your skies are really dark

[laudropb]

Very nice report Rob. Sounds like you are on to a winner at your new site.

[DHEB]

14 hours ago, RobertI said:

For the first time in fifteen years I finally have a dark, private garden in which to observe!

Glad for you! Darkness and tranquility at home. That's an amateur astronomer's dream. Enjoy!

[RobertI]

Thanks for all the replies. ? John thanks for the advice, I would love to try an OIII filter, I've heard good things about them. I'll see if I can pick one up. I loved the simplicity of the C8 and Skytee. I like the way you can steer the scope by holding the diagonal without affecting the focus, as there is a separate focus knob. The normal SCT problem of dew wasn't a problem but would have been if I had viewed any longer. I have a dew heater but cables and electrics start to spoil the simplicity. Picture of the scope taken on the night: 

[Stu]

Great report Robert, nearly missed that one. A dark sky at home is a wonderful thing, and hopefully you will have many more happy sessions there.

I used to have a C8 Edge, and had quite a few good sessions with it mounted on an Ercole, similar setup to yours, with a frac on the other side. I found it an excellent combination, widefield in the frac as a finder and for the larger objects, and the aperture and extra mag of the C8 giving you the more detailed view. The C8 is a great balance of aperture in a compact OTA, very nice

[RobertI]

Thanks Stu, yes it was a joy to use, and lovely to be able to use the scope in such great conditions.