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bathurst77
20-07-2007, 01:30 PM
Gday,

Funny thing happened to me yesterday. I dropped in to Lee Andrews shop to pick up a cable for a radio (I'm a ham and swl/DXer) The part was gunna cost $70.00, so I said bugger it, its too expensive, but somehow I ended up driving home with my car full of 10"dobs! :D

Now how did that happen? :whistle:

More importantly how do i get it past the mrs? told her it was a watertank, hope she dont fill it!:rofl:

I got the "super delux" with the right angle spotting scope, 10:1 focuser, extra eyepieces, and fan. Last night was fairly clear early, so I got to have a turn. wowwwwwwwwwwwww

I love the wide angle eyepiece, its soo beautiful!
I started with the 2 obvious targets. Mr Moonie (that is the scientific name, right?) and Jupiter. I was blown out by the various quarter-moon views, but initially disappointed by jupiter, I couldnt resolve the disk, nor see the moons.
(yes i was pointed at a nearby star... I was caught out by how BRIGHT it was in the scope. a quick nudge and there was the real jupiter, 4 moons and bands). Used Jupiter to align the spotter scope, was even impressed by the image in that, once i worked out how to focus it, and how easy it is to adjust the aim.

Time too look for deep sky objects, and NGCs. I have never seen any before, and didnt know where to look, so just started scanning back and forth over the heavens. Quickly found M7, I can see why its called butterfly cluster, I was struck by how crisp and contrast-y the view was.

I also found ngc 4755, but the highlight of the evening was omega centauri.
I was literally stunned... sooo lovely. Breathtaking!

Then it started to cloud over.. today its overcast, forecast rainny weekend....

ving
20-07-2007, 01:36 PM
yup a rainy w/end for us me thinks...

oh well.

welcome aboard :)

duncan
20-07-2007, 01:45 PM
Welcome to IIS Bathurst. Sounds like you had some fun. Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Heavens. Plenty of very experienced people on here so don't be afraid to ask questions.
Cheers,
Duncan:thumbsup:

Ric
20-07-2007, 02:21 PM
Hi Bathurst and :welcome: to IIS, glad to see you had a great first light with your new scope.

I like your purchasing technique "I can't afford that, but I'll have one of them though", that's a classic :thumbsup: :lol:

Cheers :)

erick
20-07-2007, 02:38 PM
Spare hot water system - stellar-powered :whistle:

erick
20-07-2007, 02:41 PM
Even I haven't done that - but am well known for thinking Mars is a star and thinking Antares is Mars :doh::screwy:

ballaratdragons
20-07-2007, 03:40 PM
:lol:

There ends the Radio Hobby!!! Welcome to Astronomy :rofl:

bathurst77
20-07-2007, 05:20 PM
I can still do radio on cloudy nights or during the day. now heres a thought... is it possible to see geostationary sats (Pas2/8, optus x 3, etc) thru scope?

Dujon
21-07-2007, 10:48 AM
Hello, Bathurst, do I know you?

Welcome to dobsonian land. Unfortunately I don't get in as much observing as I'd like - but that's life.

Cheers

VK2BZB

bathurst77
21-07-2007, 03:14 PM
Gday dujon. Dont think i do know u ..
73 de vk2jem
qth-r