Hi all,
Well I've been one of the guys in the background, soaking in all of the information that the site offers. I had already made a huge mistake on buying a Bushmater reflector from a camera store. If only I had found this site first!!!!! Today I took delivery of a 8 inch Guan Sheng Dob, from Andrews Communications. No not a plug - just fact.
After putting it all together around lunchtime today, the rest of the day dragged waiting to get out into the backyard. I downloaded Stellarium last night and spent all day playing with that and trying to figure out what I might see. I found the program from a link in another post, and found it a really great tool that helped orientate me to the sky.
Darkness arrived, and the show began, first off looking at a very bright moon through the 5 lenses supplied with the package, all GSO Brand, and the view was breath taking, simply awe inspring!
I then had a bit of a lul in proceedings as I seemed to have a fair idea of where Mars was in the sky, I just didn't seem able to get what I thought I should be seeing in the lens. Then it happened!!!!!!
M-42 Orion Nebula, I have never seen anything like it in my life!!!!!!!
Later Saturn, I still have scrape marks from my chin hitting the ground!
Clearly identified Rigil Kent @1 Cen and @2 Cen, Acrux, Regulus and finally Mars.
I know this must all sound really boring to a lot of you, but it's 2.21am and everyone here is asleep. I needed to tell someone!
Saturday I'm off to a How to use your telescope presentation in Southern Melbourne and can't wait.
I'm sure you'll see more posts from me with lots and lots of questions!
Also to Brian who authored the how to buy your first telescope article. Brilliant!
Darren
