Gday,
Funny thing happened to me yesterday. I dropped in to Lee Andrews shop to pick up a cable for a radio (I'm a ham and swl/DXer) The part was gunna cost $70.00, so I said bugger it, its too expensive, but somehow I ended up driving home with my car full of 10"dobs!
Now how did that happen?
More importantly how do i get it past the mrs? told her it was a watertank, hope she dont fill it!
I got the "super delux" with the right angle spotting scope, 10:1 focuser, extra eyepieces, and fan. Last night was fairly clear early, so I got to have a turn. wowwwwwwwwwwwww
I love the wide angle eyepiece, its soo beautiful!
I started with the 2 obvious targets. Mr Moonie (that is the scientific name, right?) and Jupiter. I was blown out by the various quarter-moon views, but initially disappointed by jupiter, I couldnt resolve the disk, nor see the moons.
(yes i was pointed at a nearby star... I was caught out by how BRIGHT it was in the scope. a quick nudge and there was the real jupiter, 4 moons and bands). Used Jupiter to align the spotter scope, was even impressed by the image in that, once i worked out how to focus it, and how easy it is to adjust the aim.
Time too look for deep sky objects, and NGCs. I have never seen any before, and didnt know where to look, so just started scanning back and forth over the heavens. Quickly found M7, I can see why its called butterfly cluster, I was struck by how crisp and contrast-y the view was.
I also found ngc 4755, but the highlight of the evening was omega centauri.
I was literally stunned... sooo lovely. Breathtaking!
Then it started to cloud over.. today its overcast, forecast rainny weekend....
to IIS, glad to see you had a great first light with your new scope.
