Post by pugnut on Apr 22, 2015 1:18:33 GMT
This relates to my new scope I bought last week. See here.
eaas.proboards.com/thread/4455/new-scope-bought?page=1&scrollTo=29360
Even though it was cloudy I got out for a few minutes last Wednesday. Through the gaps in the cloud I got an amazing view of Venus with a sharp terminator. With the 6” scope you could see it wasn’t round but it was hard to pick out any detail.
Got a quick look at Jupiter and even with the clouds I was impressed with the view. Called it a night as the clouds were getting thicker. Those few minutes were enough to impress me and also tell me that I needed to adjust the pivot as the balance was off on the scope. The previous owner used heavier 2” eyepieces and warned me that I might need to adjust the balance to suit my lighter 1.25” eyepieces. A few minutes with a wrench had that sorted out.
For the next 2 days I was helping a friend move house and when Friday night came I was very tired but I couldn’t settle in front of the TV due to the nice clear skies calling me outside. I gave in & set up the scope and I’m glad I did. First thing I looked at was Jupiter. I have to say that I’m very impressed with the finderscope on this Dob. The view through it is very clear & sharp, very similar to my 10x50 binos.
I was viewing Jupiter through my 32mm ep & I thought I saw a dark spot on the surface. I thought it was my eyes playing tricks but it was definitely there. Swapped to my 15mm ep & confirmed that there was a black dot on the surface. Then it dawned on me – I had just seen my first moon transit on Jupiter! I watched it for ages & could see it moving slowly across the planet. Amazing experience witnessing a lunar eclipse on another world so far away.
Two objects I have never been able to find are M81 & M82. The eq mount on the 6” makes it very hard to find these as they are overhead. I tried with the 12” and the dob mount does make things a bit easier at zenith. After a few minutes sweeping M81 & M82 jumped into view, a very impressive sight indeed. I was able to get them both into view through the 32mm ep and spent a few minutes observing them. Alas tiredness was catching up & my back was aching so I packed up early.
I'll follow up with reports on another 2 very successful nights observing.
eaas.proboards.com/thread/4455/new-scope-bought?page=1&scrollTo=29360
Even though it was cloudy I got out for a few minutes last Wednesday. Through the gaps in the cloud I got an amazing view of Venus with a sharp terminator. With the 6” scope you could see it wasn’t round but it was hard to pick out any detail.
Got a quick look at Jupiter and even with the clouds I was impressed with the view. Called it a night as the clouds were getting thicker. Those few minutes were enough to impress me and also tell me that I needed to adjust the pivot as the balance was off on the scope. The previous owner used heavier 2” eyepieces and warned me that I might need to adjust the balance to suit my lighter 1.25” eyepieces. A few minutes with a wrench had that sorted out.
For the next 2 days I was helping a friend move house and when Friday night came I was very tired but I couldn’t settle in front of the TV due to the nice clear skies calling me outside. I gave in & set up the scope and I’m glad I did. First thing I looked at was Jupiter. I have to say that I’m very impressed with the finderscope on this Dob. The view through it is very clear & sharp, very similar to my 10x50 binos.
I was viewing Jupiter through my 32mm ep & I thought I saw a dark spot on the surface. I thought it was my eyes playing tricks but it was definitely there. Swapped to my 15mm ep & confirmed that there was a black dot on the surface. Then it dawned on me – I had just seen my first moon transit on Jupiter! I watched it for ages & could see it moving slowly across the planet. Amazing experience witnessing a lunar eclipse on another world so far away.
Two objects I have never been able to find are M81 & M82. The eq mount on the 6” makes it very hard to find these as they are overhead. I tried with the 12” and the dob mount does make things a bit easier at zenith. After a few minutes sweeping M81 & M82 jumped into view, a very impressive sight indeed. I was able to get them both into view through the 32mm ep and spent a few minutes observing them. Alas tiredness was catching up & my back was aching so I packed up early.
I'll follow up with reports on another 2 very successful nights observing.