russ Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Set the alarm for 4.30am in anticipation of seeing a great sky this morning. Peered out the window but something was wrong. For some reason i thought the moon set at 4am but i had made a serious error somewhere with my calculation. Damn moon was lighting up the sky even though it was well over to the West. Decided to reset the alarm for 5.45am and try again. Just do the planets instead So up at 5.45, straight outside and 30mins of planet watching. Well worth it, in fact, wish i had just gone out at 4.30 like i planned Mars was very well placed and the sky super steady, especially that far up. Just piled on the magnification it was that good. Decided 300x was a good balance of sharpness and image scale. Even without a filter there was plenty to see. The polar caps just jump out, first thing you notice. The dark features are more subtle but easily seen. And it pays to stay at the eyepiece for as long as possible. The detail just becomes more apparent the longer you look.Tried the filters again. Defintely red and yellow do the best job. The red really boosts the contrast between the light and dark regions but the polar caps all but vanish.Saturn was also a sight for sore eyes. Wow it looks good!!!! The rings were pin sharp at 200x and a few bands visible on the disk. A lovely sight.And the sunrise was spectacular My favourite time of day.....love it!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLO Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 It really is great to see you posting again Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted December 1, 2009 Author Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Sounds like you had fun mate! You always do in the early hours - don't know how you do it!!!I watched the sun rise from the car and agree it was very nice this morning.Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thats dedication Russ, I can never get out of a warm bed at 04.45 to go and observe a planet, I know call be a observer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 I haven't a hope in hell of ever being able to get myself out of bed at that time so I usually just stay up all night...300x on Mars... nice!James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 My wife thinks i'm wierd, the only person on the planet who likes an early start. Just so quiet and still in the early hours......heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark knight Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Nice to see you back Russ. The dob comes into it's own for those quick moments of observing, zero set up time...PS I still have the eq5 sysnscan and find it great, I've now mounted the head on a pier (you are the Russ I bought it from aren't you) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Tried twice, and failed twice as the weather failed me. I will give it another go.Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Don't give up Rob. Tomorrow morning is looking very good indeed....set the alarm Mine is set and ready to go.......4am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Carl, yes i am the same Russ Really pleased to hear the mount is still working and being used. Likewise your EQ5, plain EQ5 was all i needed. I'm enjoying the hobby as much as i have ever done now. Imaging wasn't for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvaz Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Thats dedication Russ, I can never get out of a warm bed at 04.45 to go and observe a planet, I know call be a observer I don't like setting the alarm for that early but sometimes I wake up by chance and I take the opportunity to rush outside.Mars is really on top of the ecliptic at that time and it's a great site and well worth a few less hours of sleep. You go to work half awake but with a smile on your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunty12345 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I haven't a hope in hell of ever being able to get myself out of bed at that time so I usually just stay up all night...300x on Mars... nice!James im with you james (Y) all nighters im the same lol i wake up at like 12 o clock lool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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