After lurking here for a few weeks I have finally picked up my new telescope, an Orion XT8 Classic, and thought I better say g'day.
I suppose I have started off where most do, looking at the moon, and was very happy with the detail I was able to pick out. Went back to Sirius Optics the next day and bought an eyepiece kit so I can start to understand the difference they make and make a more informed decision on any future purchases.
The next night I was able to get a good view of Saturn with a lot more detail. I took a few photos of the moon using my iPhone and was quite happy with how they turned out. Today I spent a couple of hours making a mount for my phone so that I don't have to struggle trying to hold the phone steady and in just the right spot. I grabbed an old set of earphones, the kind with the volume control inline, cut off the earpieces and now use it as a remote release so I don't have to be touching the phone to take the photo. Either of the volume control buttons on the old earphones work as a shutter release button.
So it is my turn to apologise to everyone in SE Qld for the cloud that has now rolled in, I haven't even had a chance to try out my new camera setup.
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