First light with my WO FLT 132

[naskies]

Hi everyone,

I'm so overjoyed with my first proper experience of viewing the night sky that I had to share :) Before last night, I've only been viewing the sky with my naked eyes and what I could capture through my digital SLR on a non-tracking tripod.

Last night, I set up my WO FLT 132 on an NEQ6 mount for the first time with WO UWAN 28 mm and 4 mm eyepieces.

All I can say is WOW! :eye pop: I never finished the three star alignment on the NEQ6 (polar alignment was waaay out) so I just manually went through my mental catalogue of objects in the sky. Such amazing clarity, details and sharpness! The 82 degree FOV on the UWAN eyepieces was wicked... a lot like being in one of those walk-through tunnels they have in oceanariums but for the sky.

I saved the moon for last (knowing how bright it is)... I think I might still be 'seeing stars' today after having that nuclear torch shining in my eyes :rofl: It's funny how you build up this mental picture of what the moon looks like through a decent telescope based on other people's photos... it was a big surprise to me how much clearer it is when viewed 'live'. I took a few quick snaps with my SLR by holding it up to the eyepiece - and funnily enough these photos don't do it justice either.

Since I selected and picked out my gear with the primary goal of astrophotography of galaxies and nebulae, this was an awesome bonus. Hmmm I wonder what the sky looks like through one of those 16" dobs... :lol:

On a side note, after spending 30-45 mins setting up and that again packing up, I can see why backyard observatories are so desirable...

[renormalised]

First shots....nice attempts!!:):)

Yep, it certainly opens the ol' mind's eye when you look through a scope for the first time. However, that feeling never really dims, no matter how often you look through an eyepiece:)

You need a neutral density filter for viewing the Moon. That'll cut down on that "nuke fireball" effect you get:):P

[The_bluester]

I reckon I need two filters stacked with my 9.25! Even with a filter the full moon is a bit brain melting.

There is nothing like that first look is there, I love the universal reaction from the handful of people who have looked through my scope as a first timer. I usually try for something visually spectacular like the Orion nebula and start counting when they first look to the eyepiece. Usually I don't get past three before "Oh wow" is heard or something very like it.

[Terry B]

Nice scope to use as a first scope.:D

[naskies]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a filter needs to be added to my wish list...

I wasn't even planning on getting a scope yet (just guided imaging through my SLR lenses) but I stumbled across a bargain and couldn't resist :)

[Poita]

What eyepiece do you use for the Orion nebula through the 9.25?

[The_bluester]

The 9.25 came with a 40mm plossl which is the main one I used for broad views plus an 11mm nagler for closer views of the whispy bits.

They seem to have settled in as the two I use most often but I would live a really wide field ep as well, maybe next year.

[Poita]

Thanks, I ended up purchasing a used EQ6 and it is coming with a Meade 10" LX200 ACF, so I'm interested in what eyepieces would be useful for a scope of that size.

[OzRob]

I remember first putting my WO FLT110 on my EQ6. it certainly gave some great views. It has been a long time since I have actualy looked through it, always seems to be a camera stuck on the end of it or like now 100% clouds (until December!).

If you want quicker setup and pack up times you could leave the mount in place (but remove the other stuff) and cover it with a tarp when you are not using it.

[midnight]

Glad you have had such a positive experience Dave!!

Good Luck!

Darrin...

[naskies]

Thanks Darrin & Rob.

Well, I dragged the kit out again last night and even had my oldies (parents) join me for a while. They seemed to get just as much of a kick out of it as I did :)

Seeing Saturn and its moons for the first time was pretty amazing - especially how sharp and clear everything was at 33x and even 231x magnification.

I went inside for a bit of a nap, then came back out later to check out Jupiter and the moon. The seeing was pretty bad by then ("boiling water" I think I've seen people call it) but it was still fantastic to see Jupiter for the first time. I could only manage a quick single exposure with the 28 mm eyepiece.

I now realise how lucky I was the other night with the seeing... the views through the 4 mm eyepiece (231x) were completely still and sharp. Last night, it seemed like I was drunk :lol:

Best part of all... I'm glad there's such a great community here to share it with!