Up & running

[Clarry]

Well the 8" dob arrived this afternoon, unfortunately 30 mins before I had to leave for work. So it had to stay in the box for 8 hours while I earned a living. Anyway I raced home from work & spent 30 mins putting it all together then it only took about 5 mins for me to set it up on my deck and I was getting my first close look at the moon. Wow, unbelievable. I used the 25mm eyepiece first and thought that was amazing, then I swapped to the 9mm and couldn't believe the detail and clarity. :eyepop: A few light clouds blew over but they didn't interfer too much. Next I had a look at the Orion Nebula, nice but I think the bright moonlight & general light in my area made it less impressive than it could be. I will wait for a darker night. No planets were visible in my limited viewing area tonight but that will come.
All in all a very successful experience for my first effort. Thanks for the advise on purchases everyone, I'm sure the best is yet to come.

[wavelandscott]

Congratulations on the new scope...sounds like you well and truly up and running...Ain't this hobby fun! Enjoy!

The other skill that you will soon want to acquire and master is that of collimation (lining up your mirrors for optimal viewing)...it only sounds scary and there are many resources available to help you learn how.

The right tools and a little practice and you'll soon be an expert.

Good Luck!

[Clarry]

Thanks wavelandscott, it certainly is fun. I actually bought a laser collimator with the scope & collimated it before using. It was fast & easy, however after reading some threads I gather the collimator will need collimation from time to time too. I'll tackle that down the track.
I'm now in the market for a right angle eyepiece on the finder scope, it would make life easier. While looking I saw these USB attachments (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VGA-Digital-Telescope-USB-PC-Eyepiece-NEW_W0QQitemZ330285778484QQihZ014QQ categoryZ3636QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksi dZp1742.m153.l1262) for the main eyepiece. Anyone know if they're any good? The same ebay shop has great prices on Barlow lenses & other goodies. I'm assuming they're going to be cheap, poor quality items but you never know.
Cheers.

[Octane]

Clayton,

Reading your post reminded me of the very first time that I had a look through a telescope. I saw the Moon, in the early summer evening, and, just couldn't believe what I was seeing.

You should come along to the Pony Club meets that are attended by several of the members on this forum. Have a look in the Star Parties forum for details. I haven't been for a long time (long drive for me!), but am looking forward to catching up with everyone at the next one!

Congratulations, clear skies and happy observing!

Regards,
Humayun

[Clarry]

Thanks Octane, where is the Pony Club & when do they meet?

[madwayne]

Hi Clayton

Good to hear about your new dob, you will have tons of great viewing once this moon and eternal cloud clears.

The details for the Pony Club are on this link, http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=26142, they are a great bunch of enthusiasts. I had the pleasure to meet a number of them at Lostock recently for the first time.

If the Central Coast is to far for you there are a number of options in and around Sydney. I'm a member of SASI (Sutherland Astronomical Society) and we meet at Waterfall each new moon Saturday night for viewing and imaging. If you visit www.sasi.net.au (http://www.sasi.net.au) you can get more information from there. Membership is quite reasonably priced at $50 per year plus a small joining fee. ASNSW may also be of interest to you. They have a great site out near Mudgee, Wiruna, and host the South Pacific Star Party there each year.

Good luck with it all and keep asking questions.

Clear skies.

Wayne

[jungle11]

Hey Clayton, congrads on your new telescope - I still got a couple of months to wait yet for mine (thanks to this lowlife called 'bill' who keeps sending me letters:mad2:)
Least it will give me more time to study up on the interest.
Have fun man, I'm sure you will!

[Clarry]

I'd love to join one of the enthusiast clubs, Central Coast is a bit far but Sutherland is just around the corner, however I'm a chef & don't usually finish till 9.30 or 10pm so it rules out most nights, especially Saturdays.

[madwayne]

Never say never Clayton. If I'm at Waterfall and the skies are clear I will usually hang in there till 2 or 3am, have gone till sunrise on the odd occassion as well. I have also been known to go there on Friday nights as well.

You are welcome to pm me and I can give you some details if you want to come down after work one Saturday night on new moon or first quarter. I won't be at Waterfall next new moon as I am going away for the weekend. There is a fair chance (skies and wife permitting) I will be at Waterfall either Friday 21 and/or Saturday 22 November (first quarter) if you wanted to come down after work.

There is no pressure to join the club, but as it is a club facility it is the right thing to do if you like the setup. Waterfall is what you would call semi dark and given it is only 20 minutes from home (Miranda) for me and I can see 360 degrees of sky, I like it. Our field out at Bargo is really dark but at 90 minutes each way it can be a haul particularly at 4 or 5am on the way home.

Wayne

[Clarry]

Sounds great Wayne, I'll check my schedule & see if I'm free on the 21st or 22nd. Thanks for the offer.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Clarry,

There is no free lunch.

Whilst Sutherland might be closer, there is good reason why many Sydney based observers drive to the Central Coast and a little West of it to observe. For the same reason I regularly drive from home where I have skies at least as good as Sutherland for 1 hour West to Bucketty, or 4 hours north West to Coonabarabran. Simple. It's darker, sky conditions are better and the views for a given aperture of telescope are a lot better.

BTW, that scope is an excellent choice and you will get a lot of enjoyment from it.

Cheers,
John B

[Clarry]

True enough, a friend just bought 25 acres down near Goulburn so I'm anxiously awaiting my first invite for a weekend down there. You can bet the Dob is going with me.

[rmcpb]

8" dob and lots of enthusiasm. Can't go wrong :)

Sounds like you have already found a godd place to observe from most nights BUT it is worth a trip every now and then to a truely dark site. You wouldn't believe the difference.