Around here, we call 8 degrees "tree-skimming." That's pretty good for a first shot--all you need is practice. Have you tried imaging the moon?
-------------------- Blog ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT