First Target Finding Session

[leinad (Dan)]

Hi all,

Had a great time last night. Quite burnt out at the moment from getting to sleep at 5am since started viewing at 11pm.

I planned to find some targets using the laptop with Stellarium, and test all eyepieces on each object, and find what the highest magnitude was that I could see. Began collimating the scope, and after pulling my hair out for a while I finally came to a result I was reasonably satisfied would be acceptable. After a star test, all looked Ok.

Through the 9x50 finderscope I was able to find a number of faint fuzzys(M50, M80, IC2944 and a number of NGC objects to the west of Crux to Carina; round Centaurus, Monocerus and Leo; all on average of Magnitude 5-7. Stellarium assisted me with identifying they were the correct shape & composition.Then with averted vision and determination I was able to find and see the faint streak of a galaxy NGC 3628(M65) in Leo, a good Mag 9!

Then a viewing of Saturn. I could distinctly see the moons Dione and Tethys (I think these were the names) to the right, and other moons off to the left. Rings nice and quite defined. I wish I had a barlow.

Next time I need to write down everything I find, as I've got a memory block now from all the excitement early this morning and cant remember half of what I was able to find.

All in all I was quite pleased with the 8" dob, 10mm,17mm,26mm,40mm EP's.
I've learnt how to see/find the faint fuzzies using averted vision, and also recognise the constellations in the south and north.

I might now start looking at buying a barlow or two(1.25" and 2"), maybe a telrad, filters for nebulae, and maybe a few 2" Widefield EP's. Maybe also not worry about putting the dob base on a small coffee table as it left me standing the whole time and gave me sore feet in the end.

Very pleased with my first hunt.

[iceman (Mike)]

Great report, you're on the right track.

There's a wealth of objects to see in Crux and Carinae, and Scorpius before dawn. Leo has a number of brightish galaxies within reach of your 8" scope, and of course don't forget Omega Centauri, Centaurus A, NGC4945 and others which will blow you away!

A telrad will definitely help get you in the vicinity and is a great addition to any scope.

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by leinad

.... Maybe also not worry about putting the dob base on a small coffee table as it left me standing the whole time and gave me sore feet in the end....

I use a gas lift office chair with back removed. It's much more comfortable to sit down while observing. Easy also if you are on a hard surface and the chair has wheels. With your 8" you can sit with knees under it at lower elevations, or with the base/tube between your knees for higher elevation. If the eyepiece gets a bit high, sit on a folded blanket.

Only problems are chair seat getting wet in dewy conditions and wheels getting such in the mud if you are out on wed ground.

Proper astro-type chairs are pretty expensive.

[goober (Doug)]

Originally Posted by erick

Proper astro-type chairs are pretty expensive.

Second hand drummer's stool!

[leinad (Dan)]

iceman: thanks for the comments. I'll definitely put those objects on my next to-do-list.

I started getting use to using both eyes open looking through the finderscope with my right eye and looking at sky with my left eye. I was able to do this for quite a while until I started getting a little tired and began losing my left eye/right eye focusing between sky and finderscope.

Was quiet a thrill seeing the faint fuzzies in the finderscope and then looking through the eyepiece at what it was. Stellarium was a great help in identifying what I was looking at. first was M50 which looked a bit like a stick man the way the brightest stars were arranged. At first I wasnt sure if it was M50, but checking against stellarium(laptop on the table) and confirming the same shape I was really excited. First target confirmed!

One thing that Im gonna look at getting is a clipboard that can hold a red light at the top so I can start drawing my observations.

Telrad is definately on my wanted item list; little unsure on how Ill mount this though.

erick: Im a pretty short guy(5'6"), so the leaning over the scope and sitting may be a little awkard. Might try next time leaving the mount on ground.
I'll keep my eye open for a high bench stool if I raise the mount on the coffee table. I find it easier standing and guiding, though time will tell, and my feet aching after a few hours definitely was not comfortable.

what I need is something like a rotating artillery gun mount that can be rotated around lol

[Karlsson]

Originally Posted by leinad

Telrad is definately on my wanted item list; little unsure on how Ill mount this though.

Mine has been stuck on the tube for the last 10 years or so with double-sided tape

[ngcles]

HI Leinad,

Great to read your report -- congrats and well done..

Seems like you are well on the way to mastering finding things already.

Rather than having a light on the clipboard, think about one you wear on your head. Not only will it be handy to write/draw with, but when either setting up or packing up, it leaves both hands free.

Eveready do a good head-light with both red and white LEDs that runs for months on a three of AAAs. I think it costs just under $30- which sounds a mite expensive for a torch, but it works really well and is very economical on batteries.

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

[leinad (Dan)]

Thanks Les, totally forgot about those. Definitely check that out. I think Bunnings or the shops near by would have them.

[erick (Eric)]

Check Coles/Safeway/Kmart etc. They are on most battery displays - around $36. If you want to wait for a Kmart 20% off day, you can save some $s.

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

I picked up a good LED headlamp at Boating Camping Fishing about a year ago for under $20 (normal price). 3 white LED's (never use them) and 2 reds, runs on 3x AAA batteries. Can't remember the brand, not someone I'd heard of before, but if you've got a local BCF check them out.

Store locations:
http://www.bcf.com.au/store-locations/index.aspx

[goober (Doug)]

Just read through your report - great read. I find it impossible to get to sleep immediately after a session - I have to unwind for an hour and come down from the "high". I usually break out the observing books and look up what I saw, to see if it gels.

The others are spot on - a headlamp is a great "third hand". I still remember the strange look I got at Coles buying my white LED lamp and red fingernail polish. A pocket notebook is good too for jotting down notes at the eyepiece.

Apologies if I missed it - what sort of scope are you using?

[§AB]

love reading these reports! Keep 'em coming. Definately set the scope onto the ground, you'll be sitting in every tube orientation and consequently seeing more.

[leinad (Dan)]

Hi goober,

8" Skywatcher Dobsonian.

Originally Posted by goober

Just read through your report - great read. I find it impossible to get to sleep immediately after a session - I have to unwind for an hour and come down from the "high". I usually break out the observing books and look up what I saw, to see if it gels.

The others are spot on - a headlamp is a great "third hand". I still remember the strange look I got at Coles buying my white LED lamp and red fingernail polish. A pocket notebook is good too for jotting down notes at the eyepiece.

Apologies if I missed it - what sort of scope are you using?

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Sounds like you had a great viewing session! Regarding comfortable seating, I bought one of Bintel's observing seats and I've found it to be a great investment. Perfectly adjustable for any height using a dob and not bad for binoculars either.