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My Observing So Far Through my 8SE (and a belated report from 1973)


Badweather

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I started observing through my Celestron Nexstar 8 SE on August 18th 2017 at about 9pm

I couldn't get the skyalign to work and just a little teeny bit frustrated with the cloudy skies and view limited by my own four story building, I looked up, saw Saturn bright and yellow in the sky and manually slewed towards it. And sure enough, when I looked into the eyepiece, I saw Saturn in my FOV.

So, while I thought of myself as an armchair astronomer, I may have been a naked eye astronomer all along.

A short Observing Report from 1973:

I was introduced to Yes, Pink Floyd, and and Led Zepplin, Photography, and Saturn all in the same year by my uncle who was the sound/light guy in a local rock band in 1973. The same year he bought a telescope kit from Edmund Scientific. A Newtonian about 6 feet long and with an aperture of 6 inches. We were in the Mississippi Valley and our altitude there is 690 feet above sea level. The seeing was not bad as I recall. I don't remeber it "swimming" as I call it now. It was sometime in August or September I believe. There were still leaves on the trees, and my grandmothers back yard had a very limited view of the sky. Nearly at the zenith with a slot descending to the horizon almost. You couldn't see below about 15 degrees as I recall.

I recall Saturn that evening displaying clear rings, the Cassini division was barely visible, just a darkness rather than a continuous yellow band around the planet. And the planet itself was a mostly featureless ball of yellow. I recall seeing no planets.

~ slight post topic excursion number two ~

Since then I have followed my inclinations, become a teacher, composer, and performer of music, an amateur photographer, and an amateur astronomer (haven't dropped down the rabbit hole of AP quite yet, but it's gaping abyss is looking my way now...). I could never stop reading about astrophysics, cosmology, and astronomy the entire time between then and now. I frequently will think of an object and look it up to find it's in the southern celestial hemisphere.

So, after a couple weeks of reading this forum and CN, and AF, I felt ready to make my purchase. I'm still quite happy with the direction I went, although I'm definitely looking at an ultra-light traveldob at 12 to 16 inch Dob (non-GOTO) as my next telescope. I love DSO hunting. But my back is not the greatest, and so I have to think of it thus the lighter option of a 203mm SCT. But I've just found a very nice light weight Dob by Hubble Optics, among others, so once I get a car, I will probably be getting at least a 12 inch Dobsonian soon after.

~/slight post topic excursion number two~

With my 8SE I have seen three planets around Saturn so far.

Following that event I just looked at the sky for two weeks before I decided to record all my observations and keep that data in a spread sheet.

Here is a link to that spreadsheet I keep on google docs if you'd like to see the list of objects I've gazed upon:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wSgY9XWA_BcUa1l7nnmJME3D3KwghHhxr4npSz3wS20/edit?usp=sharing

here's the list from 08/19/17 to 10/18/17

Object    Constellation    cat & #    Messier #    Date    Time    Observation    Notes
Saturn                08/19/2017    9:00pm MDT    I could see Saturn, rings, Cassini division, and three moons    I was unable to get the computer aligned. Too cloudy. I saw Saturn aimed the scope at it and sure enough, Saturn was in the eyepiece!
Globular Cluster    Pegasus    NGC 7078    M15    08/28/2017    22:07    Faint fuzzy ball of light    averted vision using the 13mm revealed individual stars and granularity
Double Double, Epsilon Lyrae    Lyra    SAO 067310        08/30/2017    22:25    I see four bright and white blueish stars    Oh wow, the pair to the north is stacked while the pair towards the south are side by side.
Andromeda Gaslaxy    Andromeda    NGC 224    M31    08/30/2017    21:46    Big fuzzy blob tilted to one side, can't really see any dust lanes.    did not have to use averted vision
Zeta1 Lyrae, Zeta2 Lyrae    Lyra    SAO 067321        08/30/2017            
Ring Nebula    Lyra    NGC 6720    M57    08/30/2017    22:59    I see a blueish grey dark ring with a lighter center    A beautiful smoke ring in the sky
Eta Cassiopeiae    Cassiopeia    SAO 021732        09/01/2017            
Cat’s Eye nebula    Draco    NGC 6543        09/01/2017    0:12    Faint cloudiness with some faint structure.    
Almach    Andromeda    SAO 037734        09/05/2017            
Mirach    Andromeda    SAO 054471        09/05/2017            
Wild Duck Cluster    Scutum    NGC 6705    M11    09/07/2017        A dusting of stars with some very large and bright members    A box of jewels in the sky
Fomalhaut    Piscis Austrinus    SAO 214197        09/09/2017    22:30        
Hercules Cluster    Hercules    NGC 6205    M13    09/10/2017    0:24    Fuzzy patch of light    Fuzzy ball of light. Averted vision shows individual stars.
Double Cluster    Perseus    NGC 869 and NGC 884        09/10/2017    0:12        
M32    Andromeda    NGC 221    M32    09/09/2017    23:28    Very faint fuzz on edge of M31    required averted vision
M34, Perseus Open Cluster    Perseus    NGC 1039    M34    09/12/2017            
Butterfly Cluster    Scorpius    NGC 6405    M6    09/16/2017        A delicate gathering of stars    Easily seen, clear and bright even though it is low
Jabbah, Nu Scorpii    Scorpius    SAO 159764        09/16/2017            
Antares. Alph Scorpii    Scorpius    SAO 184415        09/16/2017            
Mizar and Alcor    Ursa Major    SAO 028737        09/17/2017            
Alphecca    Corona Borealis    SAO 083893        09/17/2017            
Tx Piscium    Pisces    SAO 128374        09/18/17        Dusty Red Star    
36 Andromedae    Andromeda    SAO 074359        09/18/17            
12 Aquarii    Aquarius    SAO 145064        09/18/17            
Mu Cygni    Cygnus    SAO 089940        09/18/17            
Saturn w/satellite                 09/18/17    7:57pm MDT     using the 25mm eyepiece, white object crossed the FOV in 2.5 seconds, moving from top of view to bottom about 2.5 times the width of Saturn to the east.
Open Cluster    Sagittarius    NGC 6531    M21    09/18/17    8:15pm MDT    A concentration of young blue stars    see sketch, I see a triangle of stars formed by doubles of stars on two sides, and five stars on one side.
Open Cluster    Sagittarius    NGC 6494    M23    09/18/17    8:23pm MDT    A scattering of blue stars    The stars are very blue
Wild Duck Cluster w/ satellite    Scutum    NGC 6705    M11    09/18/17    9:33pm MDT    Saw a bright orangish, white object cross the FOV going north to the east of M11. It took 3 seconds to cross the FOV.    
M110    Andromeda    NGC 205    M110    09/18/17    10:50pm MDT    Faint smudge of light    Very faint but visible using averted vision brings it out more.
Open Cluster    Cassiopeia    NGC 7654    M52    09/18/17    10:56pm MDT    A mostly young and blue collection of stars    Mostly blue with a few red stars
Open Cluster    Cassiopeia    NGC 581    M103    09/18/17    11:06pm MDT    A rich field of young and old stars    
Open Cluster    Cassiopeia    NGC 225        09/18/17    11:12pm MDT     a beautiful mix of blue and red stars    
Pleiades    Taurus        M45    09/19/17    12:16am MDT    Bright collection of very blue stars    beautiful, maybe it's my imagination but I think I can see slight nebulosity,
                            
Blue Snowball Nebula    Andromeda    NGC 7662        09/19/17    10:22pm MDT    Very light blue, illuminated from within    at higher magnification I can just make out some differences in the center. Very simjilar to M57 but much clearer. Did not compare to M57 this evening. Should have done that.
Globular Cluster    Aquarius    NGC 7089    M2    09/19/17    10:46pm MDT    Faint fuzzy ball of light    I can see some granularity and with averted vision individual stars.
Dumbell Nebula, Apple Core Nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    09/19/17    11:36pm MDT    Bright and white planetary, with clear structure    I remembered to try my LP filter. An Orion Orion Ultrablock Narrowband LP filter. It worked really well. I took a break while I was viewing M27, when i went inside, I forgot my eyepatch and blew my dark adaptation. When I returned, I found I couldn't quite see the nebula without removing the filter. After which I could put the filter back in and see it again.
Triangulum Galaxy    Triangulum    NGC 598    M33    09/20/17    12:21am MDT    Very faint fog covering the stars.    I can only make this object out if I slew the telescope. Can see a faint patch of fuzzy, when eyes averted and it's moving.
                            
                            
Milky Way                09/20/17    20:50    Can clearly see the Milky Way all the way to the horizon. It's washed out a bit, but quite visible. Bortle 4 I believe.    
Andromeda Galaxy    Andromeda    NGC 224    M31    09/20/17    21:01    I can clearly see the central bulge and the dust lanes of the outer skirt    averted vision helped pull out details
Wild Duck cluster    Scutum    NGC 6705    M11    9/20/2017    21:03    Very bright concentration of stars against a velvety black    
Whirlpool Galaxy    Canes Venatici    NGC 5194    M51    09/20/17    21:12    A definite spiral galaxy    beautiful spiral shape, impossible to see this detail in Fort Collins
Hercules Cluster    Hercules    NGC 6205    M13    09/20/17    21:27    A tight cluster of stars    individual stars at 17mm rather than the 13mm required in Fort Collins
Triangulum Galaxy    Triangulum    NGC 598    M33    09/20/17    21:41    Very faint. Could see it without averted vision.    Averted vision helped reveal some detail in the spiral shape
The Little Dumbbell Nebula    Perseus    NGC 650/651    M76    09/20/17    21:58    A white, cloudy, brightness    Very sharp outlines. I can see filaments.
Cigar Galaxy    Ursa Major    NGC 3034    M82    09/20/17    22:19    I see a cigar shape tapering at both ends    did not need averted vision
Bode's Galaxy    Ursa Major    NGC 3031    M81    09/20/17    22:22    very bright spiral galaxy    Beautiful spiral shape. Looking towards the darkest skies to the north I cloud see dust lanes
The Owl Nebula    Ursa Major    NGC 3587    M97    09/20/17    22:33    Very faint nebula    Very Faint. Needed narrowband LP filter. Averted vision helped.
Dumbbell Nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    09/20/17    22:40    Very bright nebula    I could clearly see structure outside the bright center. I could see that there was a bright star in the center illuminating it.
                            
Kemble's Cascade    Camelopardalis            9/30/2017    0:37    A beautiful cascade of stars    Still have not seen this naked eye or with 10x50s
Open Cluster    Camelopardalis    NGC 1502        9/30/2017    0:38    A small group of stars    
M29    Cygnus    NGC 6913    M29    9/30/2017    0:52    an intimate collection of stars    
M2    Aquarius    NGC 7089    M2    9/30/2017    1:08    A tight ball of stars    was able to see individual stars without averted vision
M77    Cetus    NGC 1068    M77    9/30/2017    1:21    I thought this was a star Cluster (see sketch below). So I was as wrong as Messier, and Herschel. And therefore, technically not yet seen.    
M42    Orion    NGC 1976    M42    9/30/2017    1:32    Bright and clear nebulosity you can stare at directly. I see four trapezium stars.    Wow, this is awesome. I know, I should have sketched it, but the wall of dew was approaching. I went to grab my notebook, and it was wet. Glistening with dew. I turned the hair dryer on it and went back to look at the Orion Nebula again for a few more minutes...
                            
Ptolemy Cluster    Scorpius    NGC 6475    M7    10/04/2017    19:33    A nice scattering of stars.    
Butterfly Cluster    Scorpius    NGC 6405    M6    10/04/2017    19:39    A nice tight group of blue stars. I notice one I’ll call “red” to redish yellow off to one side.    
Open Cluster    Sagittarius    NGC 6530        10/04/2017    20:56    I consider this a nice grouping of stars    The moon is full, I'm not using an eyepatch at all
M21, Open Cluster    Sagittarius    NGC 6531    M21    10/04/2017    21:28    a small handful of stars    
Wild Duck Cluster    Scutum    NGC 6705    M11    10/04/2017    21:34    Clear, bright stars with diamond dust underneath    
Open Cluster    Sagittarius    IC 4725    M25    10/04/2017    21:45    About 35 stars in a loose group    
Open Cluster    Sagittarius    NGC 6613    M18    10/04/2017    21:50    A noticeable concentration of blue stars    
Checkmark Nebula    Sagittarius    Sharpless 45    M17    10/04/2017    21:57    a sparse collection of stars    
Eagle Nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6611    M16    10/04/2017    22:02    a medium sized collection of mostly blue stars    
M2, Open Cluster    Aquarius    NGC 7089    M2     10/04/2017    23:40    a compact ball of stars    I can see granularity and individual stars at the edge
M71, Globular Cluster    Sagitta     NGC 6838    M71    10/04/2017    0:12    A very faint globular dusting of stars    
M29    Cygnus    NGC 6913    M29    10/04/2017    0:32    an intimate collection of stars    
Blinking Planetary    Cygnus    NGC 6826        10/04/2017    0:40    Small, white, obviously not a star or comet    
                            
Pleiades    Taurus        M45    10/06/2017    22:31    A bunch of blue jewels in space    
Coat Hanger Cluster, Al Sufi's Cluster or Brocchi's Cluster.    Vulpecula    Cr 399        10/06/2017    22:47    I see a coat hanger!    
Andromeda Galaxy    Andromeda    NGC 224    M31    10/06/2017    23:11        
Hyades    Taurus    Caldwell 41        10/06/2017    23:23        
                            
Andromeda Galaxy    And    NGC 224    M31    10/07/2017    20:30        
Saturn                10/07/2017            
Uranus                10/07/2017            
carbon star SAO 012874    Cam    SAO 012874        10/07/2017            
Kembles Cascade    Cam            10/07/2017            failed to spot this with binos
Owl Cluster, ET Cluster    Cas    NGC 457        10/07/2017            
Pacman Nebula    Cas    NGC 281        10/07/2017            failed to spot this with binos
Pacman Cluster    Cas    IC 1590        10/07/2017            
                            
Andromeda Galaxy    And    NGC 224    M31    10/09/2017            
M7, Ptolemy Cluster    Scorpius    NGC 6475    M7    10/09/2017            
M25, Open Cluster    Sagittarius    IC 4725    M25    10/09/2017            
M11, Wild Duck Cluster    Scutum    NGC 6705    M11    10/09/2017            
NGC 281, Pacman nebula    Cas    NGC 281        10/09/2017            
NGC 457, open Cluster    Cas    NGC 457        10/09/2017            
M103, open Cluster    Cas    NGC 581    M103    10/09/2017            
NGC 884, Double Cluster    Perseus            10/09/2017            
M76, little Dumbbell Nebula    Perseus    NGC 650/651    M76    10/09/2017            
M33, Triangulum Galaxy    Tri    NGC 598        10/09/2017            
M52, Open Cluster    Cas    NGC 7654    M52    10/09/2017    21:55    a good collection of mostly blue stars    
Open Cluster    Cas    NGC 663        10/09/2017    22:11    A dense collection of young blue stars    
NGC 185, galaxy    And    NGC 185        10/09/2017            
NGC 7789, Open cluster    Cas    NGC 7789        10/09/2017    21:53    A concentration of many stars, most very blue    
M27, Dumbbell Nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853        10/09/2017    22:04        
M57, Ring Nebula    Lyra    NGC 6720    M57    10/09/2017            
M13, Hercules Cluster    Hercules    NGC 6205    M13    10/09/2017            
Pleiades    Taurus            10/09/2017            
Cat's Eye Nebula        NGC 6543        10/09/2017            
                            
M8, Lagoon Nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6523    M8    10/10/2017    20:43    Very clear nebulosity!    Cannot see this at all with my unpatched eye. Favorite eyepiece 17mm
M10, globular cluster    Ophiuchus    NGC 6254    M10    10/10/2017    21:29    Faint smudge of greyish white.    can see individual stars with averted vision
Andromeda Galaxy    And    NGC 224    M31    10/10/2017    21:45    Very clear and bright tonight    
M16, Eagle Nebula    Serpens    NGC 6611    M16    10/10/2017    21:51    Nebulosity faint but visible    Needed averted vision to see it.
The Omega Nebula, Checkmark nebula    Sagittarius    Sharpless 45    M17    10/10/2017    21:55    Very clear nebulosity here    I noticed I thought this was an open cluster last time I looked when the moon was high. I wasn't taking it seriously so I didn't wear my eyepatch either.
                            
M24, Small Sagittarius Star Cloud    Sagittarius    IC 4715    M24    10/11/2017    20:12    Very dense star field    Somewhat washed out due to Bortle 6 to 7 skies
M8, Lagoon Nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6523    M8    10/11/2017    20:24    Very clear nebulosity    
M20, The Trifid Nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6514    M20    10/11/2017    20:33    Faint but visible. Can see edges of cloud forms with AV    
M17, The Omega Nebula, Checkmark nebula    Sagittarius    Sharpless 45    M17    10/11/2017    21:09    Very clear checkmark    
Blinking Planetary    Cygnus    NGC 6826        10/11/2017    21:26    small dense white cloud    
M27, Dumbbell Nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    10/11/2017    21:38    Bright and clearly defined edges without AV    This is the brightest nebula in the sky above Fort Collins
M57, Ring nebula    Lyra    NGC 6720    M57    10/11/2017    21:56    Smoke ring in the sky    clear, and dark bluish grey
M11, Wild Duck cluster    Scutum    NGC 6705    M11    10/11/2017    22:09    A very nice density of stars    
                            
Saturn nebula    Aquarius    NGC 7009        10/12/2017    20:16    Very small, white oval of nebula    17mm and 13mm gave the best views
Pacman Nebula    Cas    NGC 281        10/12/2017    20:50    only see the stars    
Barnard's Galaxy    Sagittarius    NGC 6822        10/12/2017    21:12    Another oval smudge    used LP filter
Planetary Nebula    Aquila    NGC 6852        10/12/2017    21:19    tiny white nebula    17mm is best here I think
M17, Checkmark Nebula    Sagittarius    Sharpless 45    M17    10/12/2017    21:32    amazing nebulosity here    
M27, Dumbbell nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    10/12/2017    21:50    not quite as defined this evening.    
NGC 6572                10/12/2017    22:26    10mm eyepiece reveals this is not a star but a very bright planetary nebula    
NGC 6210                10/12/2017    22:56    I see three things.    
M27, Dumbbell nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    10/12/2017    23:17    Bright as usual    
M57    Lyra    NGC 6270    M57    10/12/2017    23:28    smoky ring in the sky is blueish    
SAO 012870    Cam            10/12/2017    23:37    red star. I slew to Kembles cascade from here  
M76, Little Dumbbell Nebula    Perseus    NGC 650/651    M76    10/12/2017    23:55    Faint but does not require AV    
M39, open Cluster    Cygnus    NGC 7092    M39    10/13/2017    1:03    a small handful of stars    
M42    Orion    NGC 1976    M42    10/12/2017    1:17    amazing nebulosity    Without the LP filter I could see the four trapezium stars without AV
                            
M31    Andromeda    NGC 224    M31    10/15/2017    21:27    Very bright this evening, can see some detail in the outer disk more easily than on other evenings    
M92    Hercules    NGC 6341    M92    10/15/2017    22:39    A very tight ball of white fog.    AV reveals some individual stars at higher magnifications
M13    Hercules    NGC 6205    M13    10/15/2017    22:30    Fabulously clear tonight.    I can see individual stars with less magnification than usual. 17mm reveals granularity and individual stars where 13mm is usually required.
M56    Lyra    NGC 6779    M56    10/15/2017    23:12    a fuzzy white patch of fog    
M42    Orion    NGC 1976    M42    10/15/2017    0:22    Clear and bright nebulosity    
                            
M8, Lagoon nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6523    M8    10/17/2017    20:09    Still an amazing sight    
M17, Omega, Checkmark Nebula    Sagittarius    Sharpless 45    M17    10/17/2017    20:17    Just see the check mark    
M20. Triffid nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6514    M20    10/17/2017    20:23    Faint but visible nebulosity. AV reveals details.    
M110, Galaxy    And    NGC 205    M110    10/17/2017    20:21    A faint but detectable fogginess.    I needed to slew the telescope to see this
M31, Andromeda Galaxy    And    NGC 224    M31    10/17/2017    20:25    Quite brright this evening.     i can see some detail in the outer disk without AV
M32 Dwarf Eliptical Galaxy    And    NGC 221    M32    10/17/2017    20:27    Bright and clear    can see both M31 and M32 together while M110 is quite a ways off.
M110, Galaxy    And    NGC 205    M110    10/17/2017    20:31    I found it this time without goto.    
M13, Hercules Cluster    Hercules    NGC 6205    M13    10/17/2017    20:36    A nice glob tonight. Very clear.    Lower magnifications reveal individual stars in this glob tonight. 17mm, and the 13, and 10mm are awesome. I like the Svbony 10mm aspheric on these globs, it shows good detail, while retaining good contrast.
M92, Globular Cluster    Hercules    NGC 6341    M92    10/17/2017    20:50    Tight and white    takes real mag to bring out individual stars
M34, Open Cluster    Perseus    NGC 1039    M34    10/17/2017    21:33    A sparse collection of stars    
M15, Globular Cluster    Perseus    NGC 7078    M15    10/17/2017    21:45    Faint fuzzy ball of light    averted vision using the 13mm revealed individual stars and granularity
M27, Dumbbell Nebula    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    10/17/2017    21:58    A nebula brightly lit from inside by a white dwarf star    
M57, Ring Nebula    Lyra    NGC 6720    M57    10/17/2017    22:08    smoly ring    
M2, Globular Cluster    Aquarius    NGC 7089    M2    10/17/2017    22:15    Very tight globular cluster.    Take significant magnification (10mm, 8mm, 6mm) to reveal individual stars using AV
                            
Butterfly Cluster    Scorpius    NGC 6405    M6    10/18/2017            
Ptolemy Cluster    Scorpius    NGC 6475    M7    10/18/2017            
Lagoon nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6523    M8    10/18/2017            
Delle Caustiche, Sagittarius Star Cloud    Sagittarius    IC 4715    M24    10/18/2017            
Triffid Nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6514    M20    10/18/2017        More visible than the usual fogginess, just a hint of structure    
Eagle Nebula    Sagittarius    NGC 6611    M16    10/18/2017            
Omega, or Checkmark Nebula    Sagittarius    Sharpless 45    M17    10/18/2017            
M30, Globular Cluster    Capricornus    NGC 7099    M30    10/18/2017    22:39    A tight white globular, not quite circular    
M72    Aquarius    NGC 6981    M72    10/18/2017    22:53    Very Faint Foggy Patch    
Saturn nebula    Aquarius    NGC 7009        10/18/2017            
Blinking Planetary    Cygnus    NGC 6826        10/18/2017        Small white planetary nebula    
Double Cluster    Perseus    NGC 884        10/18/2017        A bright and generous scattering of stars    
M34, Open Cluster    Perseus    NGC 1039    M34    10/18/2017        A sparse collection of stars    
NGC 1514    Taurus    NGC 1514        10/18/2017            
M73    Aquarius    NGC 6994    M73    10/18/2017        Four stars    
NGC 6543    Draco    NGC 6543        10/18/2017            
M27    Vulpecula    NGC 6853    M27    10/18/2017            
M57    Lyra    NGC 6270    M57    10/18/2017            
Aldebaran    Taurus            10/18/2017        A redish star    
Hyades    Taurus            10/18/2017        A very interesting group of stars   

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Thats quite a list :thumbright:

I think 1973 was around the 1st time I observed with a scope. I borrowed one from a friend to observe and sketch Jupiter that year.

My musical introductions were also similar to yours but I'd add Deep Purple to that list. I'm just not growing out of that 1970's rock :rolleyes2:

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Thanks John,

The length of the list is deceiving I think. lots of repeats. how else can you grow to know an object without observing it under varying conditions on different evenings, or so my thinking goes.

Deep Purple is an awesome bunch of music!

And really, while I consider myself an eclectic musically, I love that era like a few that have followed. Mostly in the footsteps of those great acts in the past.

I have a love of Black Sabbath as well.

I consider Pink Floyd to be the most influential band in the history of music, but Black Sabbath is a close follower upon their heels. Being a bit of a musicologist as well....

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Well done on getting the 8SE.. it's a awesome scope... that telescope will show you some amazing views as the years go by....

I find that my 8SE is definitely a performer when comaring to my 14" dob, yes the dob is brighter and has the edge on DSO, but not as much as one would assume... with planets the detail visible in the 8SE on steady nights is astonishing, especially on Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.

 

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49 minutes ago, MarsG76 said:

Well done on getting the 8SE.. it's a awesome scope... that telescope will show you some amazing views as the years go by....

I find that my 8SE is definitely a performer when comaring to my 14" dob, yes the dob is brighter and has the edge on DSO, but not as much as one would assume... with planets the detail visible in the 8SE on steady nights is astonishing, especially on Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.

 

Thanks MarsG76!

It's a lot of aperture for $1200 and amazingly easy on the back.

I can have this telescope set up and slewing to an object in less than 15 minutes.

It is a lot of fun to use and gives some amazing views.

 

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30 minutes ago, Badweather said:

Thanks MarsG76!

It's a lot of aperture for $1200 and amazingly easy on the back.

I can have this telescope set up and slewing to an object in less than 15 minutes.

It is a lot of fun to use and gives some amazing views.

 

Awesome piece of kit.

 

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That's the way to do it, get out there and do some observing!

I've just acquired a C8 and am looking forward to getting to know what it can do. It certainly is a lot of aperture in a small and light package.

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On 11/4/2017 at 01:36, Philip R said:

Wow! that is what I call an 'observing log'. :icon_salut:

Thanks Phillip,

I find a database of objects you've observed useful to have. To remember things, and to assist my learning the sky.

I was just reading it and remembering the sessions, it's a nice way to solidify the memory, writing it out.

 

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On 11/4/2017 at 02:30, Paz said:

That's the way to do it, get out there and do some observing!

I've just acquired a C8 and am looking forward to getting to know what it can do. It certainly is a lot of aperture in a small and light package.

Thanks Paz!

It is such a wonderful thing to look at the sky through this telescope. Very happy with the views!

Someday I'll have an ultralight 16 inch dob, but this 8SE really is a great way to learn the sky.

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