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Old 04-02-2019, 04:48 AM
pete_pumpkin (Pete)
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 25
So I feel like a beginner again

I've been playing around with astronomy on and off for the last ten years.
My first scope was the 8" collapsible dob from Skywatcher. I must admit it's been barely used, probably a couple dozen times over the years - though it did give me my first views of Saturn and Jupiter which was pretty amazing at the time.
I've also picked up a few refractors, one being a 70mm Skywatcher which I turned into a makeshift solar scope with the addition of some of that Baader film - and a couple of old vintage Japanese, one being a Focal and the other a Tasco - still a nice image through the Tasco.
I also purchased a camera mount that attaches to the eyepiece that allows you to use a point and shoot camera. With this I took a few nice videos of Jupiter and also the sun on the 70mm.
My latest purchase that has got me pretty excited is a Saxon 12" dob which I picked up pretty cheap ($300), it was pretty rough though. It looks like it spent a little time outside as the base has some moisture damage and has been repainted etc. The tube whilst not dented needed a really good scrub on the outside - I used that gumption paste. The paint on the exterior of the mirror cell had started peeling. Anyhow I pulled the mirror out, gave it a wash as it was really dusty (I used the recommended method), I sanded, primed and re-sprayed the mirror holder. Put it all back together and proceeded to collimate. While I was doing this I notice around half a dozen tiny points of light coming through the back of the mirror. I assume this is pitting. Pin head size at most - overall the mirror surface looks really good with no scratches. I really didn't know what I was doing with the collimation although I do have a laser collimator.
First light I was disappointed because all the stars were more like lines than pin points. I jumped on youtube and learnt the proper process. First secondary then primary etc.
I had assumed that the laser spot centered in the primary was all that was needed but have realized that you need the beam to bounce back into the lasers target to get a proper result.
So I've just done that and what a difference - whilst still not perfect, the stars do look like sharp points now with a cross on some of the bright ones. Anyhow I think I have a decent amount of scopes now for a beginner. Time to invest some of my energy into actually learning about the stars and positions etc. I've just downloaded 'Stellarium' and will be trying to figure that out. So yeah I feel like a beginner again. Sorry for the long post Oh and a heads up, a 12" dob is damn heavy!
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Last edited by pete_pumpkin; 04-02-2019 at 05:10 AM.
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Old 05-02-2019, 09:17 AM
brian nordstrom (As avatar)
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Perth WA
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12 inch DOB ,,, Nice , I have a friend with a 10 inch and it's impressive so well done .

Oh yes to IIS and please keep us informed of your travels .

Brian.
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