New astronomer signing in ...

[Froglord]

Hello from Hampshire!

I'm a newbie to astronomy, having recently bought a Skywatcher Skymax 127 on an AZ5 mount. I picked a heck of a time to buy a scope that's strong on the planets 😉 but I find more Messier objects each time I observe, so that's keeping me going. Tonight, I might give the moon a good old eyeballing.

I've already learned a huge amount from surfing SGL as an 'outsider', so thanks for all the info so far.

[Zermelo]

Hello, and welcome to the forum (in write mode).

As you are discovering, the Skymax can do a decent job with a variety of targets.

[PeterC65]

The Skymax 127 was my first scope and it still gets lots of use. It is good for the Moon and planets but also for brighter nebulae (M42 in particular), for star clusters, double stars and even planetary nebulae (for which it benefits from a filter).

 

[Froglord]

2 minutes ago, Zermelo said:

As you are discovering, the Skymax can do a decent job with a variety of targets.

Yes, I managed to get nice views of M36, 37 and 38 in Auriga a couple of weeks ago.

[Froglord]

2 minutes ago, PeterC65 said:

The Skymax 127 was my first scope and it still gets lots of use. It is good for the Moon and planets but also for brighter nebulae (M42 in particular), for star clusters, double stars and even planetary nebulae (for which it benefits from a filter).

 

M42 is indeed a good target. I felt I really saw it properly for the first time with this scope (well, at least the bright core). It looked like Pacman!

[dave34]

Welcome to SGL

[barbulo]

Hi and welcome to the Lounge!

[bosun21]

Hi 👋 Welcome to the lounge 

[cajen2]

Hi and a warm welcome to SGL. You've chosen well with the 127.

[wookie1965]

A warm welcome to SGL 

[Froglord]

2 hours ago, cajen2 said:

Hi and a warm welcome to SGL. You've chosen well with the 127.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Boy, did I ever agonise about what to get!

[cajen2]

7 minutes ago, Froglord said:

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Boy, did I ever agonise about what to get!

Ah... don't we all? 😉

Now all you need is a nice 8" dob to complement it for DSOs, etc....

Edited April 21, 2022 by cajen2

[Floater]

Welcome. Have lots of fun. 🙂

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi and welcome. 

[Starwatcher2001]

Welcome aboard SGL. Good to have you with us.

Welcome too to astronomy. I can't vouch for your 127, but your AZ5 is a nice sturdy mount. I've got one of my scopes sitting on one and it's great for getting set up in a jiffy and no-drama observing. Good choice.

[Froglord]

54 minutes ago, Starwatcher2001 said:

I can't vouch for your 127, but your AZ5 is a nice sturdy mount. I've got one of my scopes sitting on one and it's great for getting set up in a jiffy and no-drama observing. Good choice.

I thought I'd earn my stripes with a manual setup and maybe get an AZ-GTi at some point in the future. I'm glad I did - the AZ5 is very solid and a pleasure to use.

[Astro_Dad]

Welcome to the forum, your Skymax will come into its own later in the year when the planets are within easier reach, but clearly more than capable on many DSO’s.  

[pixelsaurus]

Welcome to SGL.

 

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome from another Hog.

[banjaxed]

Hi and welcome to SGL.

[Froglord]

10 hours ago, Astro_Dad said:

Welcome to the forum, your Skymax will come into its own later in the year when the planets are within easier reach ...

Looking forward to it!

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire 🙂