Frustrating,isn’t it ?

[Stu1smartcookie]

On 29/08/2020 at 23:04, Star101 said:

Thinking positive. If we had clear nights every night, I think, one would soon get blasé about the night sky. The slim chance of a clear slot between the clouds gives us the exciting impetus to stargaze.

Also, take these cloudy nights as nights of rest....you will need them for when the sky does clear soon  

Yes I suppose too much of a good thing makes one want less . Good point 

[turboscrew]

I'm a Finn that bought my first scope at the beginning of June. (Bought it second hand.)

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunearth.html

 

[Stu1smartcookie]

On 29/08/2020 at 15:06, NGC 1502 said:

Frustrating ?  Don’t agree, sometimes it can be VERY frustrating.

However, when everything comes together and you have a great session, the frustration melts away and you know why you do this great hobby of ours....

 

[Stu1smartcookie]

3 minutes ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

On 29/08/2020 at 15:06, NGC 1502 said:

Frustrating ?  Don’t agree, sometimes it can be VERY frustrating.

However, when everything comes together and you have a great session, the frustration melts away and you know why you do this great hobby of ours....

 

So , August 31st ... an update ! And , just in case everyone thinks I’m a manic depressive that does nothing but complain about the weather , I have to report that last night (ie 31st) I have literally had my best night of backyard astronomy for a very long time . The clouds cleared during the evening and when darkness fell I was on totally clear skies .Apart from setting up with my view blocked by an annoying tree (schoolboy error) and there being enough dew to water my wife’s roses for a whole year , everything settled down and I had brilliant views of both Jupiter and Saturn . Considering their lack of height in our sky I saw three bands on Jupiter and , best of all I picked out the Cassini division on Saturn. . Not too bad for my light polluted back garden . I used my 200mm dob ( my only scope now ) , staying out until about 11pm ( I have to get up at 5 ,you know ! ) . Viewing the moon was fantastic as it’s not quite “full” . It was so bright .. I just used a 25mm EP . Just one clear evening has left me gagging for more . One more point .. my scope holds collimating remarkably well .it always has to go on a maze like journey to get from my wardrobe to the garden so I am really surprised that I haven’t had to collimate it . Bit of a positive bonus In my book . 
Anyway , I hope everyone had good clear skies last night , and I wish you all many many more .

[AstroNebulee]

Brilliant Stu, it makes it all so much worth it for nights like that and good report, clear skies 

[Rob_UK_SE]

3 hours ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

So , August 31st ... an update ! And , just in case everyone thinks I’m a manic depressive that does nothing but complain about the weather , I have to report that last night (ie 31st) I have literally had my best night of backyard astronomy for a very long time . The clouds cleared during the evening and when darkness fell I was on totally clear skies .Apart from setting up with my view blocked by an annoying tree (schoolboy error) and there being enough dew to water my wife’s roses for a whole year , everything settled down and I had brilliant views of both Jupiter and Saturn . Considering their lack of height in our sky I saw three bands on Jupiter and , best of all I picked out the Cassini division on Saturn. . Not too bad for my light polluted back garden . I used my 200mm dob ( my only scope now ) , staying out until about 11pm ( I have to get up at 5 ,you know ! ) . Viewing the moon was fantastic as it’s not quite “full” . It was so bright .. I just used a 25mm EP . Just one clear evening has left me gagging for more . One more point .. my scope holds collimating remarkably well .it always has to go on a maze like journey to get from my wardrobe to the garden so I am really surprised that I haven’t had to collimate it . Bit of a positive bonus In my book . 
Anyway , I hope everyone had good clear skies last night , and I wish you all many many more .

That’s fantastic news, Stu. Jupiter and Saturn are rather special so what great targets for your new telescope’s first outing. Given the larger aperture of your dob, you could use a ND filter to reduce some of the overall brightness of the moon - if you enjoyed observing nearer to its full phase.

You may already be familiar with these targets, but if not: it’s worth heading to Lyra where you could explore both the Ring Nebula (M57) as well as the double double (near Vega). I would also recommend exploring Hercules which is still in a fair position. Both M13 and M92 are lovely clusters. Another good target (from light polluted skies) is Albireo in Cygnus. In a similar part of the sky to Jupiter and Saturn, but higher, is the wild duck cluster (M11) in Scutum which is also rather nice. 

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by Rob_UK_SE

[Stu1smartcookie]

Rob , I didnt realise how much i missed the Dob until i parted company with my last one (a 250mm bresser) I have used a fair few refractors recently , all good scopes  .. but , somehow i think i've (finally) found the right one for me . Easier to store , easier to move , its a joy to use . Of course my scope resurfaces old challenges , ie finding the targets rather than using a goto. The wonders of the night sky that you mention are all firmly on the agenda . I particularly want to see M57 . 

Anyway , onwards and definitely upwards ... 

CLEAR SKIES 

[pete_81]

7 hours ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

So , August 31st ... an update ! And , just in case everyone thinks I’m a manic depressive that does nothing but complain about the weather , I have to report that last night (ie 31st) I have literally had my best night of backyard astronomy for a very long time . The clouds cleared during the evening and when darkness fell I was on totally clear skies .Apart from setting up with my view blocked by an annoying tree (schoolboy error) and there being enough dew to water my wife’s roses for a whole year , everything settled down and I had brilliant views of both Jupiter and Saturn . Considering their lack of height in our sky I saw three bands on Jupiter and , best of all I picked out the Cassini division on Saturn. . Not too bad for my light polluted back garden . I used my 200mm dob ( my only scope now ) , staying out until about 11pm ( I have to get up at 5 ,you know ! ) . Viewing the moon was fantastic as it’s not quite “full” . It was so bright .. I just used a 25mm EP . Just one clear evening has left me gagging for more . One more point .. my scope holds collimating remarkably well .it always has to go on a maze like journey to get from my wardrobe to the garden so I am really surprised that I haven’t had to collimate it . Bit of a positive bonus In my book . 
Anyway , I hope everyone had good clear skies last night , and I wish you all many many more .

Hi Stu,
I've upgraded from an EQ3 to EQ6 and had Sunday night for the first trip out since it arrived a month ago! So nice to have great skies and a mount that doesn't let the scope wobble when one even approaches it! Jupiter, Saturn & moon were my chosen targets and I just sat in awe! Last night was similar and I'm sure many enjoyed 2 nights of clear(er) skies! The EQ6 from FLO box does warn about the sun, but clouds too! Anyone else noticed this sticker?!

Happy observing!

[Stu1smartcookie]

41 minutes ago, pete_81 said:

Hi Stu,
I've upgraded from an EQ3 to EQ6 and had Sunday night for the first trip out since it arrived a month ago! So nice to have great skies and a mount that doesn't let the scope wobble when one even approaches it! Jupiter, Saturn & moon were my chosen targets and I just sat in awe! Last night was similar and I'm sure many enjoyed 2 nights of clear(er) skies! The EQ6 from FLO box does warn about the sun, but clouds too! Anyone else noticed this sticker?!

Happy observing!

Yeah its a nice touch supplied on their packaging