Re: XT6 First Light and First Thoughts (Long)


> 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.

You probably saw the North Polar Hood. It is the most prominent
feature
on Mars these days. The South Polar Cap is very small and difficult to
see right now (summertime in the south), even in good seeing.

>
> I don't know if seeing gets any better in a different season, or wheter
> this is my lot in life living in the middle of Portland.

The only cure for bad seeing is to go out and observe a lot. It really
does
sometimes get better. Avoid objects that are close to the horizon.
Too
much atmosphere is in the way to view anything near the horizon even if
the overall seeing is good. Wait until planets get 30 degrees or more
above
the horizon before expecting to see much detail. Also, try to set up
so you
don't have to look over relatively hot objects like asphalt parking
lots or the
roof of your house, and especially a chimney.

Overall, it sounds like you have a decent scope, know how to collimnate
it,
and know your way around the sky a lot better than average for a
beginner.
Keep it up..

Clif Ashcraft, New Jersey

.

Relevant Pages

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