Re: XT6 First Light and First Thoughts (Long)

On 11 Dec 2005 23:15:57 -0800, "Kwai Chang Caine" <sspdx99@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>Recently, I had solicited advice on a beginner's scope for myself and
>my 5-year old son. Based on my own research and the recommendations of
>this group, I purchased an XT6 Dob. This is a report of my experience
>with it so far.
>
[...]

>
>Located most of the clusters in and around Cassiopeia. M31 was a bit
>of a let down as I could only get a blur, maybe because of the
>moonlight.

I think M31 has to be the biggest letdown for any new amateur
astronomer. Conversely, IMO open clusters are the nicest surprises.
Don't forget to look for the open clusters in Auriga.

> Cassiopeia and Andromeda were very difficult viewing
>because they were right overhead and I quickly tired of the contortions
>I had to do to view anything through the finder scope.
>

Ahh, yes: The Dob neck-crane. I am considering either getting an
angled finder, or else getting a good wide-angle low power eyepiece
and just using the scope as its own finder.

>Tried to look for the M3 globular cluster in Bootes but couldn't find
>it. Stumbled on to some galaxies instead - didn't verify it they were
>part of the Coma Berenices group or the ones in Canes Venatici.
>
>Tried to look for M51 and M81/M82 but Ursa Major was not a favorable
>position for me.
>
>Saw lots and lots of multiple stars - I tried to locate as many of the
>doubles, triples, etc. that were listed in Nightwatch.
>

Don't forget Albireo! A very pleasing double.


>
>Planetary viewing was a major major letdown. I was very eagerly
>looking forward to seeing Saturn but the views were underwhelming to
>say the least. I could clearly see it as an oblate spheroid with rings
>around it but I could barely make out the separation between the rings
>and the planet, let alone spot the Cassini division. The seeing was
>atrociously bad (or was par for the course, I just don't know since
>this is the first time I am being affected by it). The whole planet
>was bubbling like looking down on a saucepan of boiling water. Even at
>120X (10mm eyepiece), I could barely get a viewable image and the 2X
>barlow stayed in its case. Jupiter was no better. At least with Mars,
>I could convince myself that the blob in the eyepiece was whitish at
>the bottom. Whether this was actually the pole or just wishful
>thinking on my part, I don't know.
>

Sounds like bad viewing to me. I've had nice views of Saturn and
Jupiter with even the 4.5 in Dob from Orion, and also terrible views
with a 10 in (and vice versa), depending on the day.

Are there a lot of heat sources nearby (e.g, house rooftops)? They can
put up a lot of shimmer in the air.

Nick


--
Nick Theodorakis
nick_theodorakis@xxxxxxxxxxx
contact form:
http://theodorakis.net/contact.html
.

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