Hi all!
First off I'm very new to astronomy but have always had a passion for the heavens. I just recently purchased a GP mount and some eyepieces from a superb A-marter and a Tak FS 102 from Anacortes (phenomenal service, BTW). This being my first real scope I was interested in what I was going to see the first time out. I've read hundreds or more posts from the likes of Ronbee, Floyd Blue, Michael C., Jim E. Gleason, and everyone else. I think I've learned more from this forum than I have from college astronomy! THANKS!!! Anyway, to my observations!
I set up intending to align my finder scope, get more practice on the mount, and do some lunar observing (you know, noob stuff!) Seeing seemed pretty good from I could tell (I'll get to this later), but the moon was almost full. I plugged in my lunar filter, an eyepiece, and away I went.
The views of the moon were breathtaking to my beginner eye! I was amazed at the detail I saw! WOW! I bumped up the mag with a barlow and was in awe! I roamed the lunar landscape stopping at each crater and hovering over each maria for more than an hour. I did not want to stop!
I did finally stop and checked the Sky and Telescope website to see what else was up at the time. I noticed Saturn could be viewed so away I slewed (I have no motors so everything is manual, I love it)!
Being new to using a telescope I had trouble focusing. I moved the focus knobs back and forth attempting to bring something clear into view. Then out of nowhere this tiny, creamy colored orb with pale rings appeared. BEAUTIFUL! I think seeing Saturn for the first time with my own eyes rates right up there as one of the most stunning things I have ever seen. I toyed with the focuser and added a barlow, and low and behold, there's the Cassini Division! I felt giddy as a child closely observing every detail my light polluted skies would produce. For over an hour I gazed, slewed, gazed, slewed! I was able to make out some of the cloud detail on the planet and more resolution on the rings! Words cannot describe my elation!
I observed for well over 2 hours but it seemed like 5 minutes. How time flew and how I long for another night!
continued...
First off I'm very new to astronomy but have always had a passion for the heavens. I just recently purchased a GP mount and some eyepieces from a superb A-marter and a Tak FS 102 from Anacortes (phenomenal service, BTW). This being my first real scope I was interested in what I was going to see the first time out. I've read hundreds or more posts from the likes of Ronbee, Floyd Blue, Michael C., Jim E. Gleason, and everyone else. I think I've learned more from this forum than I have from college astronomy! THANKS!!! Anyway, to my observations!
I set up intending to align my finder scope, get more practice on the mount, and do some lunar observing (you know, noob stuff!) Seeing seemed pretty good from I could tell (I'll get to this later), but the moon was almost full. I plugged in my lunar filter, an eyepiece, and away I went.
The views of the moon were breathtaking to my beginner eye! I was amazed at the detail I saw! WOW! I bumped up the mag with a barlow and was in awe! I roamed the lunar landscape stopping at each crater and hovering over each maria for more than an hour. I did not want to stop!
I did finally stop and checked the Sky and Telescope website to see what else was up at the time. I noticed Saturn could be viewed so away I slewed (I have no motors so everything is manual, I love it)!
Being new to using a telescope I had trouble focusing. I moved the focus knobs back and forth attempting to bring something clear into view. Then out of nowhere this tiny, creamy colored orb with pale rings appeared. BEAUTIFUL! I think seeing Saturn for the first time with my own eyes rates right up there as one of the most stunning things I have ever seen. I toyed with the focuser and added a barlow, and low and behold, there's the Cassini Division! I felt giddy as a child closely observing every detail my light polluted skies would produce. For over an hour I gazed, slewed, gazed, slewed! I was able to make out some of the cloud detail on the planet and more resolution on the rings! Words cannot describe my elation!
I observed for well over 2 hours but it seemed like 5 minutes. How time flew and how I long for another night!
continued...
