18 replies to this topic

[Star1Fun]

Hello fellow star gazers, I have a 6SE as my only scope. So now it's starting to warm up at night so I will start to observe again at night. 

1. I will hopefully want to completely fall in love with visual observations again with the 6SE like last year.

2. I want to add a second scope, an 80mm f/6 wide field of view scope for the summer Milky Way and for portability as well as a quick grab and go sessions.

3. I wanna get better at planning observing sessions and sharing the night sky with others.

4. I wanna get involved deeper with the astro club. 

5. I wanna go car camping and bringing the 6SE or the 80mm scopes scope along for the fun of the night skies at a camp group.

 

So yea a few things not too much to buy this year I just want to have a good time under the stars and show people what is seen and or possible that can be seen in smallish scopes.   

Edited by Star1Fun, 10 March 2025 - 08:12 PM.

[rjacks]

All sound like good plans!  Relax and have fun.

[sevenofnine]

Welcome back! 

 

If you're considering an 80mm refractor, our sponsor has an excellent line, Astro-Tech. I've been very satisfied with the overall quality of construction and optics in the basic AT80ED. If you want to eliminate even more CA then there's a lanthanum version or a triplet. Best of luck to you! 

 

https://astronomics....d-refractor-ota.

 

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[carolinaskies]

Hello fellow star gazers, I have a 6SE as my only scope. So now it's starting to warm up at night so I will start to observe again at night. 

1. I will hopefully want to completely fall in love with visual observations again with the 6SE like last year.

2. I want to add a second scope, an 80mm f/6 wide field of view scope for the summer Milky Way and for portability as well as a quick grab and go sessions.

3. I wanna get better at planning observing sessions and sharing the night sky with others.

4. I wanna get involved deeper with the astro club. 

5. I wanna go car camping and bringing the 6SE or the 80mm scopes scope along for the fun of the night skies at a camp group.

 

So yea a few things not too much to buy this year I just want to have a good time under the stars and show people what is seen and or possible that can be seen in smallish scopes.   

I have a C6 and 80mm dual mounted on an LX65.  The combo provides the wide and magnified views of targets.   
The C6 doesn't go as deep visually some times, so if I want to do more I have an ASI071MC and ASIAIR for live stacking.  Eventually I might get a Hyperstar which would really make the duo an interesting pair 

There are other dual mounting options out there with most being more compact unassembled than the LX65 which is only a bit larger than the C6 itself.  Everything can be packed up in a relatively small setup for away-from-home observing.

  

[wolf man]

   Each one of the plans you have are great ones. A wide field scope will be a nice complement to the 6SE. Involvement with the club will keep you fired up to go out and observe and you'll make great friends as well. Bringing the scope adds a whole new dimension to camping trips, and your desire to share what you love with others is a gift that will make your whole life more interesting and rewarding to yourself and others.

   Above all, just keep going out. The sky will reward your interest even if you've been gone awhile. It's really not all that unusual to be gone awhile either. Forest fire smoke, deep cold, light pollution and crappy seeing have been making even very experienced observers doubt their own abilities and their faith in their equipment. The more time you spend at the eyepiece, the better you'll get at seeing things and realizing when the state of the atmosphere is the real limiting factor, and not your own abilities as an observer. And you'll be there for those outstanding nights that keep you hooked! Best of luck!

Edited by wolf man, 10 March 2025 - 09:55 PM.

[goldenraccoon]

Clear skies, salud 

[ABQJeff]

6” Cat and an 80mm F/6 are a great grab and go combo. As far as affordable small, lightweight mounts, Skywatcher Az/GTiX can be bought from Europe.

As far as observing planning, I find SkySafari Pro to be the best investment ever for astronomy. It has myriads of built in lists or ones ready to create, plus being able to make or import your own.

Edited by ABQJeff, 12 March 2025 - 07:20 AM.

[quilty]

Will that do?

[sw196060]

I always liked that ad.

[BrushPilot]

I always liked that ad.

The rear fan on that C8 really blows...

[quilty]

No more and hairdrying while vaccum cleaning by that multifuncional Heinzelmann device but hairdrying while stargazing is it. household sucks

Edited by quilty, 13 March 2025 - 03:19 AM.

[Thomas F]

And - it works without powercord ;-)

[ayadai]

Will that do?

She's just blown away by the views!

[jcj380]

She's just blown away by the views!

<groan>

[gene 4181]

 She probably figured  out how too use it quicker than her male luddite  counterparts  too.  Behind all great accomplishments  is a woman....  that advertisement  holds testament to that otherwise the luddites would be, "  Like dude , where's the beer come out at? "   

Edited by gene 4181, 13 March 2025 - 09:17 AM.

[tea_bird]

 She probably figured  out how too use it quicker than her male luddite  counterparts  too.  Behind all great accomplishments  is a woman....  that advertisement  holds testament to that otherwise the luddites would be, "  Like dude , where's the beer come out at? "   

I mean, a telescope that also deposits beer would be a pretty cool invention.

 

I use an old keg as a stand next to my astrophotography setup (I acquired it from strongman training) and people ALWAYS ask if it's full haha

[JayinUT]

If you are looking for items to observe, I recommend starting with the Messier's.  Here is a LINK to the Messier's by Constellation, that is how I observe. I start in one constellation and then go to a second and sometimes a third one in a night. 

 

This link sorts them by season. Spring is an excellent time to get out and see Messier's as there are a lot of them available, as in summer. You may even, early in the evening get some of the winter one's in yet! Enjoy! 

[svaughan70]

I have a 6” reflector (Meade LXD75) and an 80mm refractor (AT80ED) and I’m very happy with both.

[25585]

My 80mm is a panacea for burnout, just wanting to tick over, grab and go, and take anywhere as an off-chance. Next step up from binoculars.