I looked thru my new home made 10" Dob last night to look at the Orion constellation last night. I was particularly interested in looking at M42. At least I think that is what I was looking at.
It was must first time looking at a nebula. I watched it intently for a fairly long time -- a full 20 minutes non stop. My eyes were nicely dark adapted.
There was not a cloud anywhere in the sky. I sure I was looking at something in the Orion constellation. And the night air was perfectly still -- perfectly.
I was surprised to see how ghostly it looked. I could not make out any edges. Is this normal?
I was using a 8mm eyepiece, which admittedly is not exactly a quality EP. Would that be the reason?
Another factor worth mentioning. I could not get to a dark site. I was viewing from a place not far from the city (Nairobi) and there was significant light pollution (no Milky Way visible).
Cheers,
Joe
It was must first time looking at a nebula. I watched it intently for a fairly long time -- a full 20 minutes non stop. My eyes were nicely dark adapted.
There was not a cloud anywhere in the sky. I sure I was looking at something in the Orion constellation. And the night air was perfectly still -- perfectly.
I was surprised to see how ghostly it looked. I could not make out any edges. Is this normal?
I was using a 8mm eyepiece, which admittedly is not exactly a quality EP. Would that be the reason?
Another factor worth mentioning. I could not get to a dark site. I was viewing from a place not far from the city (Nairobi) and there was significant light pollution (no Milky Way visible).
Cheers,
Joe
In lumine tuo videbimus lumen.
8O Home-made 10” Dob / Home-made 4” refractor
EPs: Konig 32mm (1.25") / Zhumell WF 30mm (2") / Nagler 13mm T1 / Orion Sirius Plossls 25 & 10mm / Zhumell Plossl 9 mm / Meade MA 9mm