One word - hot!!! Weather wise and seeing wise.
Posting this from the Ellensburg Library where my daughter and I chose to escape the heat (nearly 100 degrees) and the huge number of tiny insects for the day. Last night was my first extended time with my new Televue NP-101. Not sure what to nicknname it, Ron got the "Light Cup" for his TV102. Maybe "No Problem" 'cause most everything I asked of the scope it did with absolutely no problem? I'll have to think about it some more.
I'll post more observations when I get back home this weekend, but wanted to post some highlights (f0r me). The seeing was above average, although heat waves and dust obscured the horizons. Started on my Doubles League quest and bagged about 15 doubles in Bootes, Casseiopeia, Scorpio, etc (more detail later - don't have my notes with me. Also spent some time on open clusters and globs and PNs.
First impression of the NP101 (as compared to my 1997 vintage TV101) was - more clearly defined airy disks, better detection of subtle colors, better discernment of "faint fuzzies".
Firsts - I *think* I split Antares at 180x, even in the muck. The first diffraction ring was dancing, but would steady occasionally and I believe in those moments I could consistently detect a near pale green companion at about 10:00 o'clock (with north being 12). This is consistent with the PA of 276 degrees (which I didn't remember until after I looked!) Also cleanly split Zeta Aquarius at 180x also, which is about 1.6" I think.
Bagged the Owl with no problem, but was pretty dim. Got more spectacular results on the Ring, Dumbbell and Little Dumbbell. Each was fairly bright and clearly discernible. The Ring was especially striking. At 108x, not only was the "hole" clearly visible with direct vision, I could even make out the irregularities in the shape of the nebulosity. The Dumbbell was breathtaking (looked more like an Apple Core to me, but the shape was obvious). I also cleanly picked up the Little Dumbbell with it's tiny hourglass shape obvious.
M13 was the best I've seen in a little 4" scope; granularity across the disk with clear strings of stars emerging from the core. M11 (Wild Duck) was also awesome - fine fine diamond dust on a black background. I also think I picked up a lot of dark nebulosity - I'll have to compare my notes with the book. I even tried Steve O'Meara's trick of slightly defocusing and did see a skull shape! Bulbous head, big eyes, narrow jaw - cool!! Spent quite a while on the Double Cluster with my 22 Nag. Those clusters really show their stuff the more you look at them, as faint stars and a variety of colors emerge.
Only one frustration - I could not find the Blue Snowball! Tried every lens I have from 22 Nagler Type 4 to 10 and 5 mm Radians, but no go. Maybe tonight - if we don't pass out from the heat!
Posting this from the Ellensburg Library where my daughter and I chose to escape the heat (nearly 100 degrees) and the huge number of tiny insects for the day. Last night was my first extended time with my new Televue NP-101. Not sure what to nicknname it, Ron got the "Light Cup" for his TV102. Maybe "No Problem" 'cause most everything I asked of the scope it did with absolutely no problem? I'll have to think about it some more.
I'll post more observations when I get back home this weekend, but wanted to post some highlights (f0r me). The seeing was above average, although heat waves and dust obscured the horizons. Started on my Doubles League quest and bagged about 15 doubles in Bootes, Casseiopeia, Scorpio, etc (more detail later - don't have my notes with me. Also spent some time on open clusters and globs and PNs.
First impression of the NP101 (as compared to my 1997 vintage TV101) was - more clearly defined airy disks, better detection of subtle colors, better discernment of "faint fuzzies".
Firsts - I *think* I split Antares at 180x, even in the muck. The first diffraction ring was dancing, but would steady occasionally and I believe in those moments I could consistently detect a near pale green companion at about 10:00 o'clock (with north being 12). This is consistent with the PA of 276 degrees (which I didn't remember until after I looked!) Also cleanly split Zeta Aquarius at 180x also, which is about 1.6" I think.
Bagged the Owl with no problem, but was pretty dim. Got more spectacular results on the Ring, Dumbbell and Little Dumbbell. Each was fairly bright and clearly discernible. The Ring was especially striking. At 108x, not only was the "hole" clearly visible with direct vision, I could even make out the irregularities in the shape of the nebulosity. The Dumbbell was breathtaking (looked more like an Apple Core to me, but the shape was obvious). I also cleanly picked up the Little Dumbbell with it's tiny hourglass shape obvious.
M13 was the best I've seen in a little 4" scope; granularity across the disk with clear strings of stars emerging from the core. M11 (Wild Duck) was also awesome - fine fine diamond dust on a black background. I also think I picked up a lot of dark nebulosity - I'll have to compare my notes with the book. I even tried Steve O'Meara's trick of slightly defocusing and did see a skull shape! Bulbous head, big eyes, narrow jaw - cool!! Spent quite a while on the Double Cluster with my 22 Nag. Those clusters really show their stuff the more you look at them, as faint stars and a variety of colors emerge.
Only one frustration - I could not find the Blue Snowball! Tried every lens I have from 22 Nagler Type 4 to 10 and 5 mm Radians, but no go. Maybe tonight - if we don't pass out from the heat!
