Early Morning 12/12/06

[Kain]

I got up early this morning to do a little observing. The plan was to go out last night, but I wern't feeling too well.

Theres a couple of things that have really stuck in my mind from this morning. Firstly M51 in Canes Vanatici. Looked really nice in the 15mm Moonfish, and a hint of the spiral arms (more than what I get on M31 for instance) was a real eye-opener! I was surprised just how much detail I could see! I don't know of that had anything to do with me collimating my scope though, maybe it was out before, and next time I view M31 it will be better! I viewed a few other fuzzies in CV, but I have no idea which were which, as I left my book inside.

Next was Coma Berenices, once again, I viewed quite a few fuzzies (which I found by just scanning the sky) so I have no idea which was which, but sometimes you really just don't care, it's nice to see them!!

I had a look at Praesepe in Cancer, wasn't really that impressive if the truth is know, but that could be because the moon was not too far away in Leo, so I ain't given up with that just yet!

Finally Saturn. First time around, I was very disappointed with the view through the dob, but today, despite the wobbling (damn wind started to get up) it looked utterly fantastic! I could clearly see the Cassini devision and 2 of the moons!! I used a 20mm EP with a 2x Barlow lens! Oddly, when used a straight 10mm EP, it didn't look much at all. I'm not sure if the Barlow extends the focal length, as if I am correct, the higher the 'F' the better the view of the planets. My scope is an F5 (best to have...If I wanted a tornado! hehe)

I'm really pleased with the view of Saturn now, as I was so disappointed a week or so ago. I mean it could have been because it was lower a few weeks ago, as I viewed it around midnight, this morning it was pretty much at zenith!

All in all it was well worth getting up at this time in the morning, though I have pulled all the muscle in my shoulder and chest carrying the dob base, my own fault for getting out of bed, and going straight out, I think my muscles were still asleep

Anyway I'm a happy Kain

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Great stuff, now you know the Dob. works well on DSOs, planets, well just about anything. Sounds like you need to go back to bed until your muscles wake up.

Captain Chaos

[geppetto]

Saturn would have been better last night cause the collimation has had

"The Kain Touch" since last time. 8)

Sounds like you had fun matey 8)

[Andrew]

It's an excellent feeling when you get a really great view of something, especially for the first time.

One thing that I've noticed since getting a bigger scope is that the effects of poor seeing seem more noticable compared to with my 4.5" reflector - so maybe poor conditions also had something to do with your past view of Saturn? Thanks for reminding me about all those great sights awaiting me in the spring. It seems a long time ago I was last looking at anything in Coma Berenices and I think it'll be a while yet before I do again - late nights are one thing, but if I start rolling out of bed at 5 to go outside I may find a bed set up for me in the greenhouse