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First view with 12" Dob and some questions!
Howdy All, trucked the scoped into the backyard for my first look the other night. Bit cloudy in Perth at the moment but did catch some breaks. Went straight to Saturn and was fairly blown away. Sensational to say the least. What is it about a planet you have seen in pictures thousands of times (and in more detail) in your own scope that is so spine tingling? That first time you know you have it in your sights and then slowly bring it into focus - fantastic. Managed to see the Jewel Box as well before it became too cloudy.
It seems the scope was fairly well collimated out of the box which is just as well since I am still waiting on my collimater to turn up. I can't comment on how good the "seeing" was as it was literally my first time looking through a good scope but Saturn looked pretty sharp (I think) in the 25mm and the 10mm.
So all in all an awesome experience.
My only gripe was the finder scope. I need to learn how to focus it! Also does anybody use or prefer a finder with a right angle viewer. God that thing was hurting my neck! I do have a Telrad now but realise the two are best use in conjunction with each other. BTW is a good place to fix the Telrad just on the other side of the finder scope?
Considering the amount of light pollution around the city (and the moon did not help at the time) are DSO achievable in big towns with the 12"? Also which planets might be viewable? Can't wait to get out there again.
Cheers
Dave
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