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Good Night for Amateur
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Jason Fite
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m a true amateur when it comes to observational astronomy but the weather at my house was pretty good for an early evening observing session tonight. I was able to get good views of Jupiter and the Galilean moons, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. I also viewed the Andromeda Galaxy, several first and second magnitude stars, and resolved my first binary star system (Eta Cassiopeia). I even saw three satellites which is a first for me. My wife and kids enjoyed the views as well.
My real aim tonight was to try out the newly completed dew prevention system for my Celestron Nexstar 6SE (controller, dew ring heater, and dew shield). Overall, I was very happy with the set-up and I didn’t get dew for the almost 3 hours I was out. The drain on my PowerTank LT battery was significant but I’m really surprised that it lasted for my entire session. I didn’t think the LT could meet the power requirements of running the dew heater and the mount. I was pleasantly surprised.
Tonight also proved that I have no idea how to take iPhone pictures with my eyepiece phone mount despite my best efforts on numerous occasions. Alas.
Overall it was a great night for an amateur!
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preciousmyprecious
Welcome to the group Jason, you're in the right place. With the internet and practice you will quickly move up to amateur status! (amateur is the highest you get here) Carpe Noctem Bill McLean
On Thursday, November 24, 2022 at 09:34:06 PM EST, Jason Fite via groups.io <jafite2004@...> wrote:
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m a true amateur when it comes to observational astronomy but the weather at my house was pretty good for an early evening observing session tonight. I was able to get good views of Jupiter and the Galilean moons, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. I also viewed the Andromeda Galaxy, several first and second magnitude stars, and resolved my first binary star system (Eta Cassiopeia). I even saw three satellites which is a first for me. My wife and kids enjoyed the views as well.
My real aim tonight was to try out the newly completed dew prevention system for my Celestron Nexstar 6SE (controller, dew ring heater, and dew shield). Overall, I was very happy with the set-up and I didn’t get dew for the almost 3 hours I was out. The drain on my PowerTank LT battery was significant but I’m really surprised that it lasted for my entire session. I didn’t think the LT could meet the power requirements of running the dew heater and the mount. I was pleasantly surprised.
Tonight also proved that I have no idea how to take iPhone pictures with my eyepiece phone mount despite my best efforts on numerous occasions. Alas.
Overall it was a great night for an amateur!
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Roy Diffrient
Jason, you’re doing great. You have some relatively advanced objects there already. Even got the family involved – wonderful! Maybe the start of outreach – you’re certainly in the right club for that. That’s fun, but no hurry – when you’re ready. Meanwhile, lots of enjoyment and many more discoveries await you and your telescope. Let us know how it goes.
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Roy On Nov 24, 2022, at 9:34 PM, Jason Fite via groups.io <jafite2004@...> wrote:
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jimcoble2000
I agree with Roy. There is a lot of adventure and discovery waiting.
On Friday, November 25, 2022 at 10:43:45 AM EST, Roy Diffrient <mail@...> wrote:
Jason, you’re doing great. You have some relatively advanced objects there already. Even got the family involved – wonderful! Maybe the start of outreach – you’re certainly in the right club for that. That’s fun, but no hurry – when you’re ready. Meanwhile, lots of enjoyment and many more discoveries await you and your telescope. Let us know how it goes. Roy On Nov 24, 2022, at 9:34 PM, Jason Fite via groups.io <jafite2004@...> wrote:
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bob414
The most overlooked aspect of cell phone pictures on a telescope is the “Z” axis. This is the distance from the eyepiece to the cell phone camera.
Bob
From: BackBayAstro@groups.io <BackBayAstro@groups.io> On Behalf Of Jason Fite via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2022 9:34 PM To: BackBayAstro@groups.io Subject: [BackBayAstro] Good Night for Amateur
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m a true amateur when it comes to observational astronomy but the weather at my house was pretty good for an early evening observing session tonight. I was able to get good views of Jupiter and the Galilean moons, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. I also viewed the Andromeda Galaxy, several first and second magnitude stars, and resolved my first binary star system (Eta Cassiopeia). I even saw three satellites which is a first for me. My wife and kids enjoyed the views as well. My real aim tonight was to try out the newly completed dew prevention system for my Celestron Nexstar 6SE (controller, dew ring heater, and dew shield). Overall, I was very happy with the set-up and I didn’t get dew for the almost 3 hours I was out. The drain on my PowerTank LT battery was significant but I’m really surprised that it lasted for my entire session. I didn’t think the LT could meet the power requirements of running the dew heater and the mount. I was pleasantly surprised. Tonight also proved that I have no idea how to take iPhone pictures with my eyepiece phone mount despite my best efforts on numerous occasions. Alas. Overall it was a great night for an amateur! |
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