Review of Nagler Testing night @ Glenore Grove

[astro_south]

Well first off I would like to thank Mark H. for hosting the event and his wife for preparing some yummy exotic sandwiches (made even more exotic due to the dark - flavours were lucky dip) and a cheese platter (all too civilised :) ). I would also like to thank Mark for putting on such lovely weather - no sign of any cloud or dew all night!

In attendaence was Mark(mhodson), Graeme(saturn%5), Tony(Striker), Harrold(Graeme's friend - not joined yet), and myself(astro_south). Scopes in attendence were a Tony's 10" LX200GPS, Mark's 80mm Celestron ED refractor and my 12.5" dob. I should also mention the presence of Tony's eyepiece collection, and in particular the 31mm Nagler, as it cost more than my dob did :).

I was quite surprised at the darkness of the sky, even though we were only a short way out of Brisbane (3/4 hr drive from my place). For such a short drive I am certain to return as it is a great last quater moon option. Sites that are a much longer drive are a little darker (ie 2 and a bit hours to Leyburn), but this site is 90% there.

Now on to the Nagler - WOW ::eyepop:: What a view!! In my 12.5" f6 dob it works out to a 1.34 degree field of view at 61x. This nicely framed the significant parts of the Eta Carina nebula and gave a great frame around the Orion nebula. At the end of the night I was surfing through the Virgo cluster with each field having numerous galaxies - very nice. Incidently, the 31mm Nagler is now mine. I have witnesses to Tony telling me to "just take the Nagler", and they have agreed to back me up on this (given the quick roster and timeshare deal we brokered on the spot). I have let Tony "borrow" the Nagler back for a while - hope your taking care of my baby :)

Mark had a green laser pointer that we utilsed to help identify where things are and to scare the low flying bats that accidently flew through the beam :)

We visited the skies highlights using the optical aids - including M42, Saturn, Jupiter, Ghost of Jupiter(PN), Eta Carina nebula, Eta Carina star and homonculus nebula, N2808, Omega Centaurii, Centaurus A (GX), 47Tuc, Tarantula, M46 + PN, Eight Burst Nebula, Pincushion Cluster, Jewel Box, Little Gem cluster, Ara Glob, M105, M65, M66, M83, N1566, and about twenty others I can't remember at the moment. We also tested out equipment including the 31mm Nagler, UHC filter, 8mm Radian, 12mm Nagler, 19mm Panoptic. I am sure Mark is going to give a more technical account of the 31mm Nagler and possibly other equipment - so I will leave that to him.

here is part of the site (where Tony and myself setup)......

[astro_south]

And here is Mark, Tony and Mark's 80mm refractor (atop an EQ6) dreaming about some feature's on Mark's observatory (probably walls!! :) and a roof!! :) )

[astro_south]

And here is Mark's fork structure and Tony - obviously slipping something down the back of his pants :) - hope it isn't a component you need Mark !!! Also note the pier structure under the observatory - very impressive!

[ballaratdragons]

Interesting report so far Andrew.

I hope Mark is going to remove the huge water tank taking up a quarter of the sky!

[iceman]

Excellent report Andrew, and great pics! That's a great looking observatory so far Mark, can't wait to see it finished!

So nice to see you QLD folk getting together so often.. it's something that the groups of people near each other in every state should emulate.

Can't wait to hear Mark's technical reports about the naglers :)

[mch62]

Actually the water tank is in front of some trees so removing it won't solve the small loss of sky to the SE.
I lined the tank trees and observatory up to have the smallest loss of area.
At the altitude it blocks being lower than 40degs I figured waiting for any objects in that part of the sky to rise further is not a bother .
I will get around to the review but am still wiping the drool from my mouth after fondling Tonys Nagler.
Very impressed with it I was, and the Radian on the planets as well.

More to follow when I fell better.

Mark

[Striker]

Thanks for the night Mark......and all who attended....was a good night with clear skies.

You have a nice site with dark skies which I am very jealous about.....

The observatory is going well......but have a look at the size of that wedge......if you think thats big you have to see the size of the bearings...Mark may like to post a pic if he gets a chance.....

Good to catch up with you all again and nice to meet Graeme (Saturn%5)

[mch62]

R.A. 2 x 90mm 3.6" pillow block bearings supporting 90mm x 500mm solid steel shaft.
Dec 4 x 1.5" flange mount bearings supporting 2x 1.5" solid shafts.
The RA friction drive disc is 650mm diameter x 3/4" plate steel with a 30mm wide SS rim machined round and true.
The DEC drive disc is the same but made from 2x15mm ply discs cut with a router with a 30mm SS rim epoxied to the rim. This is done to save weight on the fork .

Mark

[ving]

looks like overkill for your 80mm celestron!

thanks for the viewing report guys :)

[mch62]

The 80mm is just the finder scope:P

[ving]

at least you dont have an 8 inch finder like a certain other forum member!

[mch62]

No that's just the size of my guide scope .:P :D

Seriously the mount is made to take an 16" f6 later on , but at the moment my 12.5" f6 will get to ride on it.
This is the sort of mount you can lean on when viewing and not upset the scope.

[ving]

well its lookng great anyhow :)

[xrekcor]

Great report Andrew

Would love to try or even see a 31mm t5 nagler... is that the one you said you would readily swap for my GSO 30mm SV, after you got it back :)

The setup that Mark is building look's very impressive!!!

Look forward to reading the nagler report

[Dave47tuc]

Great to see you people getting togeather for some viewing:2thumbs:

No doubt the nagler 31 gets the geez i want one:D