A While Back

It has been a while since I have been able to post, or got outside to view for that matter. The last time I was out was for the lunar eclipse.  I brought my 4 year old out with me so that session was just about pointing the telescope and seeing what we could find. There was no worrying about the auto-star system or how I was going to get my camera to work. I even brought out my old telescope for my son to point around with and imagine. I must say it was the most fun I had observing yet. We watched the eclipse slowing happen for a little while before I pointed my telescope to Saturn. With my old telescope it would have looked like a fuzzy white dot indistinguishable from any star. With my new one I as able to see the unmistakable shape of the rings. Both my son and I were amazed. It really made me want to go out and by a Powermate so that I can see more. The cold and snow has made me really wish for spring to hurry the hell up and get here.

The Moon and More

Last night my whole family fell asleep early so I took the opportunity to get out side and play with my telescope some more.  Before that happened I had peeked outside to see if I could find Mercury as the sun was setting. I was surprised at how bright it was and how easy it was to find. Unfortunately I did not have a lot of time to linger and enjoy the site.

After dark my first target was the large bright moon. It was the first time I actually had success with my telescope tracking an object. Tracking the moon may not be all that impressive but I am taking small steps right now. I also took the time to try out my #80A Blue filter. With the full moon it toned down the brightness and some of the features really popped out.  In particular I focused in on Crater Plato.

I was planning to take a look at Mars next but I was starting to get cold so I decided to set my sights to the Orion Nebula. Because of Orion’s location in the sky I had to set up in my driveway.  My backyard provides a lot of shelter from light pollution, my drive way does not. There is a street lamp only 30 feet away from me and of course the entire neighborhood had their lights on drawing a disapproving look from Al Gore. Even with all these obstacles there in the middle of my eyepiece was the faint form of the Orion Nebula. Found, I might add without the use of my telescope’s autostar system.  I was able to view it for a while even with changing eyepieces and putting on my LPR filter. I lost it after I put my 26 mm eyepiece in. At that point I was having difficulty using my hands to I decided to call it quits. Still I very successful night of viewing.

Where are the pictures you ask? I tried but with my recently arrived camera adapter but I was unable to get my camera to focus.  I quickly gave up and just decided to enjoy the view. What makes my camera great for taking pictures of my sons playing soccer makes it absolutely craptastic for astrophotography. I think I will start saving my pennies for a DSI.

A Quick Look at Jupiter

View Date : August 10, 2007

Time : 11:00PM – 12:00PM

I went out with the hopes of catching some of the Perseid Meteor Show but I did not see anything happening. I think I was a bit early. I decided to point my telescope in the direction of Jupiter. I did not get the view of it I had hoped. I am still trying to get completely comfortable with my telescope. I was encouraged by the fact that I was able to make out two points of like near the giant planet. I can only assume they were moons but which ones I am not sure yet. I’ll have to do a little research. I was not able to look for very long as the was a lot of moisture in the air and my view started to fog up.