(Very short) first light with 14" Dob.

[GazOC]

The seeing was pretty poor last night, misty and plenty of clouds but as I havn't been out in a while and I had a new toy to play with I gave it a go.

As a left the Dob to cool the sky looked to be clearing up and I though it may turn into a half decent session, came back half an hour later, the mist had decended and a large cloudbank was coming in from the East. I mananged a quick look at the Ring Neb and a trawl though Cygnus before the night was brought to an abrupt end. I dragged the scope back in doors and put out a f5 refractor on my HEQ5 just in case it cleared up later. It didn't.

Plus points are that the Dob is an easy one-man setup, my Stratus eyepieces are sharp to the edge even at f4.5 and that the scope seems optically and mechanically sound.

[Albireo380]

Hmm .... a 14 " Dob and you say it is an easy one man set up. That has got to be good news. Hope you get a better "session" over the weekend - and post your thoughts on the new 'scope.

Tom

[Saso]

I'm certain that the sky must eventually clear out for you (At this moment I already have my scope outside waiting to begin with session). I'm looking forward to your future observation reports with big telescope.

Saso

[tom.yates]

Gaz you cant beat the big guns mate my 16" F4.5 is stunning .

[GazOC]

Gaz you cant beat the big guns mate my 16" F4.5 is stunning .

I reckon a 16" is the limit for one man to set up though eh? The 14" was OK but I can't imagine a 20" being too easy!

[Astroman]

My friend Dennis' 28" sets up in about 7 minutes. He's 5' 4" tall. Of course, it's a custom mount and all.

[GazOC]

I'm a short Bottom myself AM, It's not moving the scope, its getting the 22" Dob base through the 24" doors in my house!

[Astroman]

Yeah, that sounds like a challenge. He sets it up from a regular van. He also does it for a living-driving around to public/private star parties, and hawking his astrophotos. Let me look for his website....

http://www.sedonastarlight.com/ Here it is...

[GazOC]

The 20" looks tiny next to that new 28". Is that a 6" Newt he's using as a finder? :shock:

[Astroman]

Nice catch, Gaz! Yup, it's a 6" Newt as a finder. Cracks me up every time. (Rosie reminds me that he's 5'2" tall, she being 2" taller. It seemed important to her. )

[GazOC]

Gaz you cant beat the big guns mate my 16" F4.5 is stunning .

You're not kidding, I had my first "proper" night out with it last night. Objects almost look like they do in LE images (minus the colour). I spent most of the night looking at globs and saying "wow!". Top night.

[Saso]

I'm glad that you have Top night.

Saso