After some time at the eyepiece

[Dhufish (Matthew)]

Hi again,

Well I finally got my Meade eyepiece kit and can now view with a variety of magnifications.
I made a solar filter for the Venus transit but with the rain in Perth I only got the odd glimps.

Had a great viewing last night.
Was initially planning to look for galaxies in Virgo but with the bright moon and other lights passed on that idea.
Had a good look at the moon, mostly on the terminator. Did not try to identify with a map just observe.
Then I had a good look at Saturn. Tried out various magnifications but still could not see the Cassini division. Was still spectacular.
I then formulated a plan to sweep through scorpius.
Started at Antares. Nice redish colour but could not separate the double. Moved over to M4. Wow what a cluster. The longer I kept my eye on the eyepiece the more faint stars I could see.
Continued moving down to the tail seeing other clusters finally at M7. I tried but could not find M6. At this stage my telescope was pointed up and was touching the ground as I have moved the primary mirror back making it longer now. I need to make a taller pier.
Then needed a new plan so checked the charts and moved to Capricornus to find the helix nebula and the galaxy NGC 7314. I think I saw a very faint galaxy like a cloud but at this stage all my eyepieces started to dew up and everything was getting wet. A lot wet so packed up by midnight.

I had a good time but have the following questions:
What software do people use to plan a nights viewing?
And what should I do to prevent dew? Is a hair dryer ok?

I must try out tracking next time.
Thanks for reading.

Matt

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Cool Matt , glad the eyepiece kit arrived and you find it ok .
You really cant go wrong with Meade gear , except their famous WAIT ! .
On the moon the terminator is the place to be , I was there last night and from here in Darwin it was spectular , up to 200x or more , nice .
By the way what scope do you have ?
I have only seen Antaries (green , it was to ) double once and that was in my 10 inch reflector on a good night in NZ a few years ago , yea its green , as Kermit the frog sings ,,, 'Its not easy being green ' , I think Kermit was an amateaur astronomer like us ?? ha ha .
Keep up the observing mate , it gets better and better .
Especially with a good eyepiece set you now have . .
your mate up north ,
Brian.

[Sarge (Rod)]

Matt,

Couple of programs to help planning your night:

http://tonightssky.com/MainPage.php

online planner just set your latitude and longtitude.

and

http://www.astroplanner.net/index.html

planning and recording software, download and set it up for you location, scope and eyepieces.

both good, both free

Clear skies

Rod