Any ideas what I should try next?

doc3170 · Jul 7, 2008

Wow, I had such success viewing last night I decided I had to share : )  I’m still new to astronomy.  In December a relative with good intentions bought me a “trash” scope.  It did OK though, it gave me something to use while I was agonizing over which scope to buy.  The little 60mm had no finder scope, I had to just view down the scope to the general area & then Scan around until I find what I was looking for.  It’s not a very good method.  I would usually pick 2-3 targets & I was doing good if I found 1.  Sometimes I would stumble on to something accidentally & I’d have to run to Stary Night to figure out what I found.    I finally decided to buy the XT8C.  It arrived about 10 days ago.  I had even LESS success finding targets with my new scope.  The Right Angle finder scope it came with made it just almost impossible to navigate.  I upgraded it to Orion’s EZ Finder Deluxe.    http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=finder_scopes/~pcategory=accessories/~product_id=07227  Last night was my first night out with the new EZ finder, man it was amazing.  Using that finder along with S&T’s Pocket Sky Atlas I found 15 targets.  I hadn’t originally picked out that many, but I was doing so well I picked target’s off the atlas while I was out.    I found M4, M54, M70, 6652(NGC?), M69, M8, M22, M20.  Albireo Double, Epsilon Lyra Double/Double, & M57.  Mizar/Alcor Double, & M51.  As well as M13 & M92 in Hercules.  I used Jupiter to “fine tune” the laser finder.  It worked quite well.   I was unable to find M101, & M103.  That was probably due to being tired after hours of viewing, or my suburban backyard site isn’t dark enough.  M51 for example was a difficult target.  In my scope it was a Dim double smudge.  I think I had it in my scope & didn’t see it right away.    I’m not used to so much success at once.  I’m not sure what to do next.  Suggestions?  I know I’ll go back & view many of these objects again & again.  I targeted many of these objects a 2nd & sometimes a 3rd time.  M8, & M22 for example were viewed three times and M51 & M57 twice.  I guess I’ll look for a better local dark site.  Maybe I should get a book on the Messier Catalog.    Many thanks to those who have posted so many good tips already & Thanks in advance for any suggestions or tips as to what I should try to do next.    Olie <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tfwthom · Jul 8, 2008

SAC here in Phoenix has got some great lists. http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/Things-to-view.htm The"Urban List" is a list of objects viewable from Phoenix so should be viewable from any other urban area. (Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the US) The lists should keep you busy for awhile lol <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> www.siriuslookers.org </div>

doc3170 · Jul 9, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>SAC here in Phoenix has got some great lists. http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/Things-to-view.htmThe"Urban List" is a list of objects viewable from Phoenix so should be viewable from any other urban area. (Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the US) The lists should keep you busy for awhile lol Posted by tfwthom</DIV>Good Site.  Thanks : )  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

doc3170 · Jul 9, 2008

HEHE, I've been anxious to get back out; but it looks like this will be the 3rd cloudy night in a row.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Search

Any ideas what I should try next?

doc3170

Guest

tfwthom

Guest

doc3170

Guest

doc3170

Guest

Similar threads

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Share this page