14 replies to this topic

[Daniel Jackson]

This is so basic it will probably annoy people.  But I find I'm excited by even the smallest steps...

 

I took delivery of a StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ a few days ago (thanks Anony and others for the suggestion).  With Bortle 10000 skies, 4000 street lights, city lights, porch lights... and nothing but cloudy skies night after night, haven't had much use of it.  Tonight was "ok", moderately clear here.  Moon was almost straight overhead, and 68%.  Started with a 9-27 Apertura zoom, but then ended up using mostly a TeleView 7mm DeLite and then an ES 4.5mm.  I really enjoyed some time looking at the Moon.  With my little Orion Moon Map, I think I identified the Montes Apenninus, the Sinus Aestuum and the big seas to the north of them.  Yes, easy, but it was fun to do, and to have at least a basic initial understanding of what I was seeing.  The line along the terminator was awesome, particularly at the southern end, although I wasn't so clear on what all those craters were, since I didn't know exactly where the terminator was vis-a-vis the map.  

 

With my cheesy little planisphere (and Stellarium) I figured out that bright thing to the left is Mars, and was able to at least get it in view.  Down to the Orion stuff, I could get the main stars, but couldn't see M42 or any real detail (not good "seeing" I think is the right word).  I did not use the StarSense app this time (I used it last Friday and was impressed with how easy it is and how well it works, but didn't need it for this stuff).  

 

Thoughts: 

 

* I definitely need to get a better finder.  I don't like the little red dot that came with it, it's kind of hard to site in, and the contortions needed to view anywhere near zenith were more than this old man is willing to endure.  Maybe if I could mount something further up on the OTA... but it would need to come on/off easily, as I view this as a travel setup (I mean, for car travel, local,  vacations, etc., not flying and such).  I can certainly "point and find", especially major objects (like, um, the Moon), but I find it is helpful to line the scope up using the finder first, especially when not using the StarSense app.  

 

* The whole deal seems a bit shaky.  After locating an object then adjusting the focus, it shakes for a good while.  Not sure, maybe it's just the nature of the beast.  

 

* I need a better Moon Map (bigger).  And also a bigger planisphere, or something... (I can't read the little writing easily).  

 

* I very much like the "correct image" views I get with this scope and the diagonal it comes with.  I realize that's probably a rookie thing, but it just seems right to me.  I don't like trying to read maps upside down (or sideways).  

 

* So far, SWMBO has not objected to this thing sitting in the living room.  She did NOT like it when I put the Apertura AD8 in there (which I've hardly even used, due to the hassle of lugging it out of the basement playroom and setting it up).  It does kinda look cool, and doesn't take up so much room.  

 

So those are just a few "observations", from a Luddite who is finding this hobby fun, if a little intimidating.  I apologize for taking up bandwidth with such mundane things!  Any thoughts or suggestions (nice ones, anyway) would certainly be welcome.

 

dj

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RoofMonkey911]

Nothing annoying at all on reading someone’s first outing with a new scope!

[CarolinaBanker]

It’s always exciting to hear about a scopes first time under starlight.

 

In terms of shakiness, did you set up on the grass or did you set up on a patio, driveway or deck? I find vibrations are less noticeable with the scope set up in the grass, plus it’s better for seeing since heat isn’t being released from concrete and making it worse.

 

The RDF should be adequate, I just use it to quickly sight in the StarSense, my routine is to align with a bright star e.g. Betelgeuse, Altair and then use StarSense.

 

Given your light polluted skies, take a look at the Pleiades and Hyades. Both are visually stunning and hold up well to the light pollution. Double stars are also a great option. If you go to tonight (the star at the bottom of the StarSense app) it has all of the night’s best objects classified by City or Dark Sky Viewable. If you click on the magnifying glass icon you can find even more objects, best double stars is a great one, especially with your zoom.

[Anony]

 

 

* I definitely need to get a better finder.  I don't like the little red dot that came with it, it's kind of hard to site in, and the contortions needed to view anywhere near zenith were more than this old man is willing to endure.  Maybe if I could mount something further up on the OTA... but it would need to come on/off easily, as I view this as a travel setup (I mean, for car travel, local,  vacations, etc., not flying and such).  I can certainly "point and find", especially major objects (like, um, the Moon), but I find it is helpful to line the scope up using the finder first, especially when not using the StarSense app.  

 

A rigel quickfinder might work. But... near zenith is problematic kind of like for everyone with a refractor (and if they own a neck).

 

I find the red dot decent enough myself. If using starsense, you can use it to find near-zenith targets anyway... no need for the finder. You just need it for alignment or if you feel like a quick view on something easy to find. And in those situations I suggest just waiting until the target isn't directly above you.

[sevenofnine]

If you are using Starsense then consider a laser finder   Just make sure you follow safe practices if you do...there are pilots up there too. The laser can be carefully aligned so that it has good pointing accuracy. There are pro's and con's with these as well. They don't operate well when it's freezing but neither do I   Save your RDF for backup in these situations. Good luck! 

 

https://agenaastro.c...vixen-foot.html.

 

https://agenaastro.c...er-pointer.html.

Edited by sevenofnine, 30 January 2023 - 11:12 PM.

[Ulmer Spatz]

So far, SWMBO has not objected to this thing sitting in the living room.  She did NOT like it when I put the Apertura AD8 in there...

We need a TV show or movie in which the main character has a 10-inch Dob in his living room. Remember when bicycles were banished from inside the house? Now people have them hanging on the living room wall...    

[Minuam]

Welcome
and congratulations on your new scope.

A good book can be Cambridge Star Atlas.
It has list of all the bright stars and also
It has separate maps devoted to Messier objects.

Turn Left at Orion and Backyard Astronomer
Guide have dedicated section on MOON.

 

A light weight scope will have vibrations
though you can decrease them to some extent.

 

Lower the height of tripod to decrease vibrations.

Use weights on the accessory tray if you can to make mount
more heavy. See the picture-
 

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Daniel Jackson]

Thanks, all, appreciate the responses and suggestions.  

 

I had the thing set up on the grass in the front yard.  But I did have the tripod all the way extended, as I was looking almost straight up part of the time.  I like the idea of a weight, I'll try that.  I was thinking of making a wood accessory tray, with holes for EPs; maybe I can make it extra heavy.  

 

I was already eyeing the Rigel finder, I may give that a try.  Also the laser.  I know it's overkill with this scope, but I do seem to rely on the finder somewhat.  Using the app is great, but part of me wants to learn the sky without it, too.  And yes, for easy to find objects, no need to set it up.  

[Philip Jodry]

With your tripod wobbling a bit, try shortening the legs and sitting on something comfy.

[JOEinCO]

Using the app is great, but part of me wants to learn the sky without it, too.  

 

Yes yes yes! Don't let the electronics be your only method.  

 

As far as the wobbles go, part of it is the nature of the beast that is the mount the SSE 102 comes on. Make the best of what you have by first making sure all the nuts and bolts on the tripod and mount are quite snug. Often there is a lot of wiggle introduced where the legs meet the tripod hub, for example.

 

Didn't the Apertura AD8 come with an 8x50 RACI? Put that in the 102's accessory shoe where the red dot finder mounts.   

[Daniel Jackson]

 

Didn't the Apertura AD8 come with an 8x50 RACI? Put that in the 102's accessory shoe where the red dot finder mounts.   

 

Yes, and I have the setup below on it now.  I've thought about moving it over to the 102, and I may try it.  Probably will.  My only hesitation is, I put a fair amount of effort into getting all that stuff lined up (sited in, however you say it), and removing it will likely mean I have to do it over again when/if I put it back on.  And anyway, the AD8 certainly need some kind of finder (at least for me), and the RACI it came with works nicely.  But yeah, it would be worth the experiment to swap it over and see how I like it.  That is... if the clouds ever go away again. 

 

 

Edited by Daniel Jackson, 31 January 2023 - 06:53 PM.

[Echolight]

We need a TV show or movie in which the main character has a 10-inch Dob in his living room. Remember when bicycles were banished from inside the house? Now people have them hanging on the living room wall...    

The thing with a refractor is that I can kind of wrap two legs of the tripod around the corn plant. And you can still see it!

Edited by Echolight, 31 January 2023 - 07:15 PM.

[Echolight]

Yes, and I have the setup below on it now.  I've thought about moving it over to the 102, and I may try it.  Probably will.  My only hesitation is, I put a fair amount of effort into getting all that stuff lined up (sited in, however you say it), and removing it will likely mean I have to do it over again when/if I put it back on.  And anyway, the AD8 certainly need some kind of finder (at least for me), and the RACI it came with works nicely.  But yeah, it would be worth the experiment to swap it over and see how I like it.  That is... if the clouds ever go away again. 

 

 

20230131_182504 2.jpg

That stalk looks too long for a little refractor anyway.

[rrpallechio]

Get yourself a little kid, niece, nephew or grandchild.

 

My observing buddy is my 9 year old grandson. He is very good with the RDF finder, both centering it with the OTA and locating objects with it. He can bend in every direction and by the time his neck and back start complaining about it in 50 years or so I'll be long gone

[Daniel Jackson]

Get yourself a little kid, niece, nephew or grandchild.

 

My observing buddy is my 9 year old grandson. He is very good with the RDF finder, both centering it with the OTA and locating objects with it. He can bend in every direction and by the time his neck and back start complaining about it in 50 years or so I'll be long gone

 

 

LOL.  Yeah, I had a couple of those.  Couldn't even get them to mow the lawn without extensive negotiations as to the compensation plan.  I think a RACI is a better bet.