First (reasonably) clear night with my first scope

[asbjxrn]

So, a while I ago I got some renewed interest in the skies, and started thinking about getting a telescope. My first attempt was a moderate success and had a whopping 6x magnification:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14394654@N04/4502638465/

In the end I got a used Nexstar 8 earlier this week, and tonight as I came home from the office the clouds had finallly disappeared and the moon was shining bright and clear. I could not get the scope set up soon enough.

I've seen the moon through binoculars before, but wow, the view through a telescope is in a different league. Unfortunately, I have no moon filter so after looking at the moon I was almost blind. I made one myself, by simply blocking off most of the light by putting some sheets of paper in front of the telescope. Worked pretty well.

Saturn was the obvious next target, I had gotten a glimpse of it between the clouds two days ago. But now I had picked up a 8mm planetary eyepiece so it was time to have a second look. Still couldn't see any colors, and the rings are too edge on to be much more than a line. Still a magnificent sight, though. Had a look at mars, couldn't see any features.

I was just getting started. I've downloaded SkyVoyager for the iPhone, and that in combination with a goto-scope is just marvelous for a beginner like me. I was soon jumping from cluster to cluster, caught a glimpse of quite a few galaxies (Sombrero possibly being the coolest one, even though it was very faint to my untrained eyes.)

Highlights of the evening: Jewel Box cluster, I can really see why it got it's name, and Omega Centauri, which is just massive. It just blew my mind.

Well, the clouds eventually gathered again, it's past midnight and it's time to get some dinner

-asbjxrn

[weixing]

Hi,
Look like Airconvent scope found a new, good home... ha ha ha

Anyway, Jewel Box cluster is very beautiful in clear night and Omega Centauri is just WOW even in Singapore light polluted sky! Also, do not miss the summer sky which raise after mid-night... lots of nice nebula and star cluster to look out for.

By the way, Welcome to SingAstro!!

Hope more clear sky ahead and have a nice day.

[Airconvent]

Hi asbjxrn
I totally missed your post and if not for another member would not even know you had already posted your virgin obs report!
Glad to see you are putting the scope to good use. You can see why minimum 8" is a must in Singapore for that free and easy ride. You should have gotten the scope earlier as 1 month back there were alot of clear nights.
Anyway, do continue to observe and post your reports.
and welcome to Singastro!

[asbjxrn]

Well, it was clear again yesterday...

Not so much observing for me this time, as we had a family dinner. Instead there was 2 hours session of "let me see", "my turn", "wow", "ooh", "come and look at this" and so on as my nephew, niece and brothers/sisters-in-laws had their turns looking at the moon/saturn and the jewel box.

The kids are still small, but the seeds should be planted early ;)

All in all, it was another successful evening.

[Airconvent]

Hi Asbjxrn
Great! You have also helped us recruit some new singastro member too

[Bergkamp_]

nice nice... keep the passion going!