Whahooo! I seen my first open cluster!!!

[mbirrell]

Whahooo! I seen my first open cluster tonight!!!
nothing like I thought it would be in wow factor... thought it would be just oh ok but it definitely was Whahoo!
I was just scanning the sky like most of us newbies do complaining about the partial cloud cover when I just come across it.
I called my wife out in excitement whom nearly fell over in the darkness and when she got to the scope she couldn't see anything accept black. I looked again and said there it is right there! but sadly she couldn't see it because her eyes hadn't adjusted :(. Ah well I guess she will see it an other night.

[duncan]

Hi Martin,
Welcome to IIS, you will find many more surprises in your new found hobby. What a great shame the Missus couldn't see it too.
Like you said though, next time. But next time try to get her out at least 10-15mins before she looks down the barrel.

Cheers,
Duncan:thumbsup:

[Jabba]

Hi and welcome :)

I remember when I saw my first open cluster.... like 2 weeks ago haha! it sure is a good sight isnt it :P!

I dont suppose you know what cluster it was?

[mbirrell]

I must say I have learned quite a bit reading the IIS forum. One of the main things is to set up your equipment right.
When I first got my telescope I eagerly took it out of the box, put it together and when night came, I went out and had a look. The result was that I was disappointed that I couldn't even see the stars that I could see with my bare eyes! So like a lot of other people I looked at the moon a few times and put the scope aside and forgot about it for a couple of years.
A couple of weeks ago I was in the tinkering mood with nothing much to do so I pulled out the scope and pulled it apart. I thought that there must be a way to calibrate this thing so I did a Google search for Astronomy forums. I started reading thread about how important is was to collimate your reflector scope. So I read all about how to collimate a reflector telescope and made a tool to collimate my humble scope. Wow the difference it makes!!! I can now see stars that I couldn't before - even ones that I would have no chance seeing with my naked eyes!

Oh and I suggest if you aren't handy with tools or have knowledge of optics get someone to help you that is before you try to adjust your scope.

I knew someone would ask me what cluster it was... All I can say it was south-east between 45 - 60 degrees. Not very helpful I know...

[mozzie]

to the south east its around carina theres a lot in the milkyway.next time its clear lay an the ground or a banana chair and use your binos to scroll the area it'll blow you away