First Telescope!

[Weekes]

Hey guys! So I've just got my first real telescope. It is a Saxon Dobsonian capable of 120x Mag. What are some things I should look for when these clouds pass? I've already got the moon, planets (especially Saturn) and I'll try my luck at comet Lovejoy, too. Thanks :)

[OzStarGazer]

Hi, and welcome. Download Stellarium (it is free) and you will be able to see what is visible from your location. Good luck!

[Weekes]

Thanks! I have been browsing Stellarium all morning, I was hoping for some "highlights" and "favourites" for a starting point. I have too many choices that it is hard to decide :lol:

[barx1963]

Hi Matt and congrats on the scope. What size scope did you get?
For objects the obvious starting point is the Messiers and we are in luck as the next few months are Messier season!
The most obvious starting point is M42 and M43 in Orion. these can be found naked eye in most locations away from inner cities (I could see them clearly on Friday night in a well lit car park in Watsonia) simply find the right star of Orions belt (Alnitak) then move towards Orions legs (remember Orion is upside down here in the South) and you will see a brightish line of stars that is known as Orions sword. M42 is there and should be an easy get for you.

Malcolm

[OzStarGazer]

I agree with Malcolm. Orion is very pretty!
And maybe you can also try to identify some of the moon's craters and maria. :)

[Weekes]

8" F 1200. Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to point my eyes towards Orion the next clear night! :)
Once the full moon comes back around I will definitely be looking at the details I could never see before

[deanm]

Do try looking at the full moon - but you'll only do it once!

(Up to around 1st 1/4 is much more rewarding because of cast shadows emphasising terrain & texture - full moon is just painfully bright and boring - even with a filter)

Dean

[OzStarGazer]

Yes, there is not much contrast in the full moon.
You can see the actual phase here:http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/details.cgi?aid=4119
Even in today's picture for example you can see that the craters along the terminator have much more contrast and are more interesting.
Apparently the best day is when the moon is 10 days old.

[Weekes]

Thank you for that link! One question: Is the "Lunar X" visible every cycle?

[OzStarGazer]

Yes, but you have to be quick!
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090311.html

[chiaroscuro]

The globular clusters Omega Centauri and NGC 104 (47 Tucanae) will blow your mind. 47 Tucanae is near the Small Magellanic Cloud. It was the first deep space object I ever saw, and I'll never forget it.

[jenchris]

This is tuc 47 simply magnificent.
I reckon the southern hemisphere is better than northern by a long way..
Especially for a dobby 8 inch

[Weekes]

Thank you all for the wonderful starting points! I have a small list that (fingers crossed) I can start on tonight. Just to clarify, lunar X is visible in the preceding hours before "first quarter"? So I should look very late Sunday 28th/very early Monday 29th for it?

[madwayne]

Hi Matt

Congrats on your purchase, you'll be blown away by what is up there.

All fantastic suggestions by the other members and a couple of my personal favourites M45 and Tarantula Nebula (NGC2070) are amazing objects and you'll find them pretty easily.

I see you are at Shellharbour, views are clearer up the hill at Robbo :) At least when we don't have the sea mist blocking us out.

Enjoy!

Wayne

[omegacrux]

That APOD is a lot better X than I posted a while ago
enjoy your scope , they are great value

David

[TrevorW]

You need to check the Crux foremost of all the constellations

[OzStarGazer]

I guess so. I have a photo of Lunar X, but it was serendipity. :)

[Weekes]

Clearer nights up the mountain for sure! Next time I go camping Wingello way I will be loading the scope in the car too ;)

[PostalRuhl]

My first scope would be the Celestron First scope. Was actually the best $50 Ive ever spent.