One very successful night!

[darrellx (Darrell)]

Hi All

I have just come inside from a few hours of wonderful viewing and I just have to share my excitement with someone. (I don't think my wife appreciates my achievements as much as I do.)

I achieved three quite significant milestones tonight - well for me at least.

First, I saw the GRS on Jupiter for the first time, and I took some shots with my DMK21 and filterwheel. I tried first with a 3x Barlow then with my 5x Powermate. Viewing wasn't that good, so the 5x was all over the place. I hope the results meet my expectations.

Second, I worked up the courage to actually clean the sensor on the DMK. It has had some spots on it for quite some time now, and I have been too worried to try to clean it. On my first go, I think it ended up worse than before I started. More spots, blurry round things, and "hairy worms". I tried again, and I was rather impressed. Its not as hard (or dangerous) as I thought.

Third, after trying on and off for a few months, I was finally able to find Uranus and have a good look. I tried to takes some shots with the DMK, but I don't think they will come out. I also gave it a try with my 400D. But I am just happy that I was able to find it.

I did it all from my front yard, with my Skywatcher 8inch on an EQ5. The weather started out a bit windy, but the sky was clear. The wind dropped off, but then some fluffy clouds started to float in. So I called it a night.

To cap off the night, I was able to use my new DGM NPB. I had a look at M8, M16, M17. I am reasonably happy with it. I think it was money well spent. I tried it in a 35mm and 25mm EP (both 1.25inch). Things looked better in the 25mm.

All up, a very successful night for me. It is times like these that I find really make the hobby such a joy.

Darrell

[Craig.a.c (Craig)]

Sounds like you had a good night. I know what you mean about the wife, my misses thinks that this hobby is boring (who enjoys looking at shiny points of light?) I remember the first time I saw the GRS on Jupiter, had to look twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Still yet to find Uranus though.

[theodog (Jeff)]

Sounds like a great start Darrell.
Get used to hearing "that's nice dear" as they head back into the warmth.
Slowly it turns to "isn't there something you need to look at" as they send you out into the cold.
Good luck & keep at it.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

I like it when you really have to share your exitement with someone who appreciates it and we here at IIS we do.

Im glad the night was sucsessfull.
Theres also some good observations there as well.
Cheers for now....Kev.

[Phil]

I must say that i had a great night last night with my camera was able to take allot of photos. NGC908,NGC1316,NGC1365,NGC253,NGC72 93. Most of the data was spent on 253 still have to process it. All in all love it when everything works.
Phil

[GrahamL]

Thats great Darrell..my wife just dosn't get it either so your sure not alone there..there is a few few positives in that when my eyepiece case makes a $600 jump this week its not likely to get a lot of scrutiny .

[darrellx (Darrell)]

Yeh, when it all comes together, it is a great feeling. I suppose the only thing that disappoints me a little is the kids.

When I first got this scope, the kids would come out and have a look, and all the "oohs" and "ahhs" added to the satisfaction.

Now, they just say to me "take a photo and I'll have a look tomorrow."
But you are right about the scrutiny - there is none.

[leon]

Yes it is true Darrell, they, Alice my wife, and anyone that I know for that matter, all love the end results of pretty pictures, but won't venture outside.

I am classed as the village idiot, so to speak to spend long hours in frosty conditions to just try for that magical image.

I don't think even the promise of a couple of Diamonds would shift her.

Leon

[NQLD_Newby]

Yeah I think it is the way with this hobby. I too, get why do you find it so interesting questions. But I must admit my daughter gets pretty excited and has a look with me, but she hasn't developed the stamina yet to withstand the cold (yes it is cold up here, well for us northerners it is anyway), or the mozzies, for more than hour or so. But thats ok, her interst is very keen. I spent about an hour explaining the reason why some things are red and some are blue in the photo's I've shown her from this forum and the hubble site etc. Towards the end I was surprised to realise she actually got the whole red-shift idea stretching the wavelengths. Was very cool.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by NQLD_Newby

Yeah I think it is the way with this hobby. I too, get why do you find it so interesting questions. But I must admit my daughter gets pretty excited and has a look with me, but she hasn't developed the stamina yet to withstand the cold (yes it is cold up here, well for us northerners it is anyway), or the mozzies, for more than hour or so. But thats ok, her interst is very keen. I spent about an hour explaining the reason why some things are red and some are blue in the photo's I've shown her from this forum and the hubble site etc. Towards the end I was surprised to realise she actually got the whole red-shift idea stretching the wavelengths. Was very cool.

hehehe youll make a physics nut out of your daughter if your not careful.! Yes its all too true, the come out here and have a look at this gets greeted with... its too cold. or my favorite show is on... My thoughts are its your loss. my gain because i get more time at the scope! yehar.! for me its also a great release from study, and to get away from the M inlaw! hahaha

[Jen]

Nice story Darrell thanks for sharing i can almost feel the excitement from just reading your post then when its time to finally get some sleep im still to hyped up to go to sleep when i have a great nite with the viewing so i just open the curtains a little and see what i can see out the window till i fall asleep

Oh and by the way i wanted to take my scope with me on my honeymoon

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by darrellx

To cap off the night, I was able to use my new DGM NPB. I had a look at M8, M16, M17. I am reasonably happy with it. I think it was money well spent. I tried it in a 35mm and 25mm EP (both 1.25inch). Things looked better in the 25mm.

Darrell, I suggest that you get up at 5:30, turn your scope south and point that filter at the Eta Carina nebula (NGC 3372). You'll wake the neighbours and the family when you shout out WOW! OK, wait 6 months time until it is riding high in the evening sky and they won't think you've gone completely crazy!

[Ric]

Nice report Darrell, getting a visual of Uranus is always spectacular to me, It's a small greenish disc through the UW 18mm but nailing one of the outer planets is such a buzz.

Neptune is more of a challenge but just as rewarding when found visually.

Cheers

[drmorbius (Randall)]

Great report Darrell... I have yet to see the GRS or Uranus, but to be honest I probably haven't tried real hard. I'll add that to my list for Barambah!

Thanks for sharing...