cpoc
15-02-2013, 11:28 PM
So I finally lashed out and bought an 8" dobsonian (thanks to Iceinspace trade section) and though it was cloudy last night after I received it... there was a clear sky tonight (clear enough to get some viewing anyway).
I am still somewhat limited in my viewing due to being in the recovery phase of what my eldest step son called being "desexed"... but I did manage to spot a lovely "pulsar"? just down and to the right of the southern cross (I should appologise here for my lack of co-ordinate knowledge... I'm sure I'm going to frustrate people with my lack lustre descriptions). It was down and right of a similarly bright star... but it had a lovely mix of colours... at least it did in my eyepiece (though it was partially obstructed by some leaves from a tree in my backyard so perhaps that split the light and caused the lovely effect).
In my random scannings of the sky I'm also fairly sure I spotted a nebula... my description of where I found this will be even worse... it was somewhat to the left of center of the sky and maybe 1/4 of the way down... I wasn't searching for anything in specific... just seeing what I could find from my seated position and the it popped into view in my largest eyepiece (a 25mm if memory serves)... it was a dark greyish patch with a darker/black wavy center. I had a quick jump on Stelarium but as I hadn't really noted it's spot in the sky and with my currently minimal knowledge of object positions in the sky I can't really help much here... but... for a first grab and go scan of the sky with the new Dob... I'm pretty pleased. I should also note that the sky was pretty washed out when I was viewing which was around 10/10:30pm. It seems I have more light pollution here than I first figured... or maybe it was just a rough night. Will have to find a planet or two next time... if my snip snip recovery allows more detailed searching ;) )
Then... to try some afocal snaps... maybe stick my video camera to the eyepiece and see what I can manage.
I should also grab the Barlow from my inherited old Tasco Refractor... there is so much to do and so much gazing to look forward to :D
Thanks everyone for their advice and for Iceinspace in general for being a great resource and for being full of people who are helpful and kind... can be rare online :)
I am still somewhat limited in my viewing due to being in the recovery phase of what my eldest step son called being "desexed"... but I did manage to spot a lovely "pulsar"? just down and to the right of the southern cross (I should appologise here for my lack of co-ordinate knowledge... I'm sure I'm going to frustrate people with my lack lustre descriptions). It was down and right of a similarly bright star... but it had a lovely mix of colours... at least it did in my eyepiece (though it was partially obstructed by some leaves from a tree in my backyard so perhaps that split the light and caused the lovely effect).
In my random scannings of the sky I'm also fairly sure I spotted a nebula... my description of where I found this will be even worse... it was somewhat to the left of center of the sky and maybe 1/4 of the way down... I wasn't searching for anything in specific... just seeing what I could find from my seated position and the it popped into view in my largest eyepiece (a 25mm if memory serves)... it was a dark greyish patch with a darker/black wavy center. I had a quick jump on Stelarium but as I hadn't really noted it's spot in the sky and with my currently minimal knowledge of object positions in the sky I can't really help much here... but... for a first grab and go scan of the sky with the new Dob... I'm pretty pleased. I should also note that the sky was pretty washed out when I was viewing which was around 10/10:30pm. It seems I have more light pollution here than I first figured... or maybe it was just a rough night. Will have to find a planet or two next time... if my snip snip recovery allows more detailed searching ;) )
Then... to try some afocal snaps... maybe stick my video camera to the eyepiece and see what I can manage.
I should also grab the Barlow from my inherited old Tasco Refractor... there is so much to do and so much gazing to look forward to :D
Thanks everyone for their advice and for Iceinspace in general for being a great resource and for being full of people who are helpful and kind... can be rare online :)