First Telescope

[Red Top Miguel]

Good Evening,

So I joined SGL this week following a recommendation! I promptly asked many questions, read many reviews and other people’s Q&A in the forums to get the answers I needed to progress into the world of Astronomy. 

I’m a beginner, so following advice from (JohnInDerby) and many reviews I order my first telescope from First Light Optics: Sky-Watcher Explorer-130PS AZ5 Deluxe

It arrived this afternoon and I felt like a kid in a sweet shop (excited is an understatement), although I had to wait until my young children were in bed before I could get it out, the anticipation killed me. 

I’ve now spent the last hour building my new telescope , I’ve also had a chance to look at the clear skies app and can see I’ve got clear skies at 1am! Guess it’s gonna be a late one tonight, might be a little excessive however I’m so excited to use the telescope and tonight is the only clear sky in a week. 

I will post my finds and issues tomorrow, wish me luck!

PS: Thank you all at FLO & SGL for all your help, advice and guidance it is very much appreciated and needed! 

Mick 

[DirkSteele]

That will serve you well. Happy hunting under dark skies.

[johninderby]

Christmas has come early for you. 🙂🙂🙂

Looks really nice and not just a beginners scope but one that will serve you well for years. 👍🏻

[Alan White]

Very nice, enjoy, good luck with the sky tonight.

[paul mc c]

Nice one,enjoy it mate.

[Dannomiss]

1 hour ago, Red Top Miguel said:

Sky-Watcher Explorer-130PS AZ5 Deluxe

Wow look at that 😍 I've just ordered a skywalker heritage 130p, and awaiting its delivery... So Excited just like you 😁👌

[fozzybear]

welcome aboard and ask away any questions no matter how trivial to aid in your quest... loads to see in that scope . 

[Sunshine]

That's one sweet little scope setup you have there, you will certainly enjoy it for a long time to come before it will be known simply as your first scope. Yes, there will be many more, don't fight it, resistance is futile.

Welcome, congratulations, we look forward to your first report.

[Anakin Skywalker]

Awesome! welcome to the weird, wacky and amazing world of Astronomy! happy stargazing!!!👊🔭

May the Force be with you.

[sloz1664]

Hi Mick and a very warm welcome to the Lounge. Congratulations on your new scope, enjoy the heavens and clear skies

Steve

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL.

[Red Top Miguel]

Good Morning SGL,

So the report is in...........!?

So I put the telescope outside at 2230 as the clouds were still about and I wanted to let the telescope acclimatise (still not sure how long this should take).

I went outside at about 2330 as the skies were clear and I was itching to get out and see what was in the sky. 

I started off by star hoping, something I’ve not done before and thought the practise would do me good. I started on the bright stars and tried to navigate the sky from there while using SkySafari to aid in my search. I will be honest I did get lost (a lot) haha, which was a little frustrating but it’s my first night so very much expected. 

I then moved from my garden to the cricket pitch around the corner, very dark and a great open space with very little getting in my way! 

The first thing I did was set the telescope to the moon, WOW just WOW! So much detail, I was amazed as I didn’t realise how much I would see, point to note though it’s bright so I’ve definitely learnt I need some filters! 

Next the novice in me thought that’s a bright star let’s have a look at that, I centre the finders scope on the star and then look through the telescope to my amazement I can see what looks like a planet and four moons in a diagonal line, I’m dumb founded I bring up SkySafari and confirm I’ve found Jupiter (please correct me if I’m wrong) the feeling of seeing another planet and it not being on the TV or in a magazine was truly amazing! Finally I use SkySafari to pin point the location of Saturn as I’ve seen it’s started to rise, again to my amazement I found it, I could even see the gap between the rings! 

My first night/early morning (finished at 2am) has truly been unbelievable and I cannot wait for the next!

Anybody looking for a great starter telescope the Sky-Watcher Explorer-130PS AZ5 Deluxe  has been fantastic and I have no doubt my interests and finds will only develop further the more I go out! 

Thanks for listening to one happy beginner Mick

Edited June 7, 2020 by Red Top Miguel

[JOC]

It makes such a change to read about a beginner who got a great result from day 1 - well done and I'm pleased you are pleased.

[banjaxed]

Hi Mick, welcome to SGL. Glad you are enjoying your new scope.

[johninderby]

Very nice report and glad you enjoyed yourself. A manual alt-az mount is ideal for the beginner as it so simple to use and you can spend your time observing instead of learing how to use the scope. Also the 130 is big enough to give some great views. 

A variable polarising filter is very useful as you can adjust the brightness to exactly want you want as opposed to a fixed moon filter. Also good on Venus.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/moon-neutral-density-filters/astro-essentials-variable-polarising-moon-filter.html

My favourite all round lunar and planetary filter is the Baader Neodynium filter. Just so useful. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/light-pollution-reduction/baader-neodymium-filter.html

Edited June 7, 2020 by johninderby

[Red Top Miguel]

Good afternoon John,

It was brilliant and cannot wait for more! The weather isn't great for the next week or so which gives me plenty of time to learn from books and YouTube prior to my next escape. 
Thanks very much for the attachments above will definitely need one for future outings.

Mick

[cloudsweeper]

Nice report RTM - looks like you're gonna learn a lot, enjoy a lot, and - like many of us here - be tempted to spend a lot!

Have fun!

Doug.

[Kyle Allen]

Enjoy your new scope! A 130mm reflector is a great scope to start with and easy enough to take to dark skies, which makes a massive difference 👍

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi Mick, welcome. 

[Demonperformer]

Hi, Mick, and welcome to SGL.

The only problem with getting both Jupiter & Saturn on your first outing is ... how are you going to top that? - Don't worry ... you will!

Enjoy the journey.

[Dr Strange]

Welcome aboard Mick!

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Peter in Bedfordshire 🙂

[Pybo]

WOW Mick! 

 

Im a newbie too... and really enjoyed your write up!

[x6gas]

Great stuff!  Hope that clear sky does materialise.

[Red Top Miguel]

Good Evening All,

So this is really the first night since my last update, tonight is clear but still quite bright, However I will still get out and see what I can find though not wasting that clear sky. 
 

Will post my finding tomorrow!