|
Here is the real first light report.. (forgot to post it here) still a bit cloudy, but there were long enough breaks to take in Jupiter.
Quickly grabbing the scope and plonking it outside, I wait 15 minutes before having a look. The tube has cooled completely.. until I've had this scope, I have not realised the extent of tube currents. Now I know what they look like since I don't see them anymore! I always thought that was the seeing...
Back to Jupiter, this is my first look.. zoooom.. a satelite or shooting star spins across the planet through the eyepiece. Well this is fun start!
Now whats that I see.. a black dot right in the middle of Jupiter? is this grit.. hmm.. cant be, its moving with the planet.. surely I'm not doing a Wesley.. then I remember hearing about shadow transits..
A quick post on IceinSpace.com.au and a fellow aussie confirms that its IO!! Back outside, hmm, still can't see it, then the haze clears and bit more and.. wohhoo...
There it is, clear as day, a golf ball floating across the surface of Jupiter.
The best view was with the Zeiss 4mm w/Zeiss barlow. The view is crisp, and I can see graduation on one edge of IO, it kind of looks like one of those balls rendered on the Amiga.
The Takahashi 2.8 is sharp as well, but the Zeiss Abbes just have a touch more contrast that you notice in the bands which just keeps you bringing them back.
I tried the Tak 2.8 with the barlow, but there is too much haze/cloud. I think this will be doable under clearer skies.
I kept watching until it "left the planet". My first shadow transit, and the first time i've seen a 3d rendition of IO.
Moving onto the moon quickly before the clouds come back in, this looks clearer than a photograph. Now over to Omega Centauri, and it resolves completely to individual stars. I can't wait to get out to a dark sky sight to tackle it again.
Time to pack up, and I realise in my hurry I'd forgotten to extend the dew shield
impressed.
Daniel.
|