Telescope Reviews: First Telescope, First Light

The clouds cleared out about 10:00 last night - just in time to set up the new telescope and look at Jupiter. I popped in the 21mm Hyperion and began to search for the planet. I didn't use the Rigel, since I didn't think to buy a battery during the day. After a brief search I found Jupiter. What a sight! It's the first time I've seen planetary detail through a telescope. I could make out two dark cloud bands and four moons. I called my wife and son out, so they could see also. After a few minutes of viewing and discussing how cool a telescope is, I switched to the 13mm Hyperion to get a closer look. Once again it took a little bit to find Jupiter without the finder. The image was very sharp, and I could see differences in the cloud bands. The lower band was darker. The upper band actually turned out to be two bands close together. I could just make out a strip of white between the two. I could sometimes also just make out a darker patch toward the upper pole (south in a reflector?). We spent another 30 minutes or so taking turns at the eyepiece. I wanted to pull out the 8mm, but I didn't like my chances of finding Jupiter without a finder.

When we were finished viewing, my wife carried the eyepieces inside, and I carried the tube. I set it down to get the base, and when I stood straight I banged the Rigel with my shoulder and it went flying. I went to grab the base and bring it in figuring I had broken my finder. When I picked up the finder to look for damage, I could clearly see the battery through the opening in the base! It didn't ocur to me to check to see if a battery was included! Better still, there was no damage, and I popped the Rigel back in place. Now I'm taking everything back out to try the 8mm Hyperion.

It took a few minutes of knob turning to get the Rigel aligned with the 21mm eyepiece, but I quickly learned the advantages of using a finder. I changed to the 13mm and had Jupiter waiting for me in the eyepiece after locating it with the finder first. Now to the 8mm!

Jupiter wasn't quite in the 8mm field of view, but it was so close I found it right away. I was a little disappointed in the view. The details weren't quite as sharp. I also had some trouble managing the higher magnification. It was hard for me to make adjustments and keep Jupiter in sight. More than once I had to consult the finder. I think I need more practice. My wife and I looked at Jupiter for another 20 minutes, and then we decided to pack it in again. We're getting pretty good at it by now.

My first night out I learned I'm going to need an observer's chair, an eyepiece case, and a small table.

I'm very excited to finally have a telescope. My next clear night will be spent looking for DSO's. I hear this is a nice time of the year for globulars.

I'll eventually post a report of my experiences buying and building my Stargazer Steve telescope.

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Victor

Stargazer Steve 6" F/8 Dob
8mm, 13mm, 21mm Hyperions

Nikon 10x50 Bincular
Zhumell 20X80 Binocular
Jason 50X50 Refractor
(purchased by my grandmother's boyfriend for "2 bits" at a garage sale 30 years ago)