Re: XT6 First Light and First Thoughts (Long)

In article <1134371757.223208.239240@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Kwai Chang Caine" <sspdx99@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> The Good:
>
> The scope is great with deep space objects in my opinion.

My experiences as well, with the XT10. Deep sky stuff is fantastic. You
really saw quite a bit for 3 nights!

> The Not-so-good:
>
> Planetary viewing was a major major letdown.

Ditto. I'm guessing my seeing is better than yours (desert vs. Portland,
OR) and aperture makes a difference, but overall the planets were
disappointing. Mars is a big salmon disk. The first time I saw Saturn, I
must admit, I gasped, simply because it's so damn cool looking. Once the
novelty wore off, I can clearly see a division between the rings and
planet, and I can detect three moons (pinpoints), but I really have to
work to see the Cassini. The Encke -- forget it.

I hope Jupiter proves a better target once it rolls around.


--
Jay Swartzfeger
http://www.swartzfeger.com
Scottsdale, AZ
.