1st light report 12.5"Obsession

[ianke]

8-9-2007<br />To start with, I had 88 Magnum (named for the 88th 12.5" to come from OMI optics) set up and ready to go on July 31st, but circumstances stopped me from getting out until this evening. The weather was bad here for the 1st week, and then I had to go to the hospital for the last three days. (ulcer issues no real problems though) I got out of the hospital today about 4:30pm and took my daughter out to eat. It really didn't look like tonight would be very good so I really didn't prepare for an Observation night. After dinner we visited a friend for about an hour or so and left under night skies. Looking up I noticed that the viewing conditions had improved greatly. So, when we arrived at the house at 9:20pm, I immediately set the Obsession up on my deck. <br /><br />Now, as I said, I hadn't had her out yet so nothing other than the initial set up had been done.(focuser and secondary alignment done by Cats Eye sight tube) my Telrad was not aligned. My Howie Glatter green laser was not installed yet. I don't even have the Argo Navis hooked up yet, but none of this mattered because I was a man on a mission. I wanted some photons out of this thing if it killed me! <br /><br />Anyway, set her up in no more than 5 minutes and had her collimated in no time. At this point I let her cool down. (Actually, 'warm up' as it is near broiling hot outside even at night in the St. Louis MO. area right now) I made sure of my target area and came in to the Stellarium program to double check for the targets I wasn't sure of exactly as I know most of the big ones like M-13 , M-57, etc. 45 minutes had past since I started the fan at 10:10pm, It was time. <br /><br />NOTE: Here at my house High Ridge MO. South of St. Louis about 20 minutes, I am in a country environment so local lighting is not a problem. However, the skies are significantly light polluted by St. Louis and the Google overlay has me at a solid red. I can only make out wisps of the Milky Way in Binoculars never by eye. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[kyle_baron]

Ahhhhh...... satisfaction. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br />And a nice first light report, by the way. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="4"><strong></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[ianke]

Hi crazyeddie,<br /><br />lol. "terminagler" Thats a new one. I'll have to remember that one. I usually hear of it refered to as the 'Light Grenade'. It is the standard by which all wide angle lenses are measured. The 31mm Type 5 Nagler is the king. Some may come close, but it is still the closest to perfect as optics get so far. I had viewed through one some years back and told myself that it was an expense I would make if I ever got back to the hobby. There is something to be said for the opinion of feeling like you are on a space walk, and that is how it appears at the eye.<br /><br />As for the T6's, I figured why mess around with getting anything less than a great eyepiece for Maggie. those rock as well.<br /><br />Also, this isn't my first telescope, but rather a return to a hobby I had many moons ago, so I decided to do it right instead of wishing. I figured that I'm entitled, after all these year, to some quality in my life. <img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /><br /><br />Also , Thanks for all of your help eddie and others. It was through your answers and your directing me to other sites that lead me in the right direction. I really appreciated your help friend!<br /><br />Ianke <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ianke]

Hi kyle_baron,<br /><br />"Ahhhhh...... satisfaction. <br />And a nice first light report, by the way."<br /><br />You got that right! It was (and I don't use this phrase lightly) awesome. While the 12.5" Obeseeion is only in the small side of 'big telescopes', it is an outstanding performer in all aspects. Her is a photo.<br /><br />Ianke <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>