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Post by johnmc9929 on Sept 19, 2004 11:17:10 GMT
Sounds like a great pair of bino's Paul for that price! M81/82 can sometimes be very difficult if there is any light pollution or even a haze. I can just about see them from Maghaberry this time of year as they are out over the prison, hence plenty of pollution! Johnmc.
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Post by markdj on Sept 23, 2004 17:17:24 GMT
Looks like tonight, Thursday 23rd September, looks to be clear, albeit with quite a breeze but this is set to light as the evening goes on.
I'm getting the scope out now when I'm in the mood. Anyone is welcome to observe here in Comber.
Mark
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Post by Aaron on Sept 23, 2004 17:30:06 GMT
I wouldnt mind popping over (im in holywood) if that Ok Mark. What time you planning setting up?
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Post by markdj on Sept 23, 2004 18:45:41 GMT
I'm starting in about 1/2 hr.
M
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Post by Aaron on Sept 23, 2004 18:57:58 GMT
10-4. c u in about 30 mins.
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Post by markdj on Sept 24, 2004 2:11:11 GMT
Well, Aaron and myself setup around 9pm and we began our observing. M31, M13, the Perseus double, M34 and M45. This was the first time I had used the scope since the beginning of August and it was Aaron's first times observing and using his new scope. The clouds were quite variable and fast moving and at times it was clouded out. I stayed up til around 12am and I'm so glad I did as the skies turned clear, so clear, the milkyway was visible and the double cluster was quite clearly naked eye visible - in fact quite conspicuous in the sky! The stars were sooo bright and steady, I was able to pick out many constellations which previously had been difficult. I took some images but will look at them later. With regret, I'm turning in now at 3am just as I get my first view of Orion the Hunter. [glow=orange,2,300]Clear Skies[/glow] MarkDJ
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Post by paulevans on Sept 24, 2004 7:01:25 GMT
Sounds like a good night Mark! By the time I retired circa 2330 it was still pretty clody here in Bangor. I caught glimpses of Vega, Deneb, Altair and Capella through fast-moving gaps in the clouds but there wouldn't have been much point in getting the scope out even if I hadn't just sent it away to be fixed!
Yep, we have had a disaster at Evans Towers - my Meade has just stopped working in the electronics department. The inevitable side effect of this is that the rest of you will enjoy continuous clear nights until it comes back!
P.
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 26, 2004 18:38:54 GMT
Hi Paul! Im a new member to this forum. What type of Meade do you have? and did anyone manage to observe Toutatis? Poor sky conds in Capricornus stopped my attempted visual observation with the 16"
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Post by paulevans on Sept 26, 2004 19:05:28 GMT
Hi Martin. I have an ETX 105 - lovely scope but the electronics seem to have packed up so it's been sent away to England to be fixed. Can't imagine I've done anything to it as it has only been connected to a 12v power-pack which has never been simultaneously connected to the mains so no chance of a power surge.
I haven't made a great deal of use of it recently the way the weather has been, although as described elsewhere I have a nice new pair of binoculars to keep me in business. I have also recently ordered an equatorial mount for photographic use which should keep me busy for a while, and of course Minolta are just about to release their long awaited DSLR so the piggy bank could be in for a bit of a bashing soon :-)
Clear skies!
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 26, 2004 19:15:10 GMT
Thats a nice scope i hope they get it fixed for you asap! I own a meade 16" dob, meade 8" S.cass and a meade 3.5" ETX. I only do visual work but plan to get into astrophotography in the near future. was on your website, i liked the photo where you caught Q4 NEAT north of the beehive and a meteor..that was fortunate timing!
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