TheSkySearchers

I was able to take the XLT out this morning between 4:00 and 4:30 PST.

Suffice it to say it was the first attempt on the new Alt Az mount. I was able to pan around the skies between Gemini, Taurus, and Auriga which was simply breathtaking in terms of a rich field experience.

I saw several knots of stars, a double reminiscent of Albireo in the summer and many groupings just on the edge of the small scope's capabilities, most of which were unresolved. By 4:20 the fog started rising from the lake and the moist forest ground, so the stars at that point were dwindling towards invisibility.

Still a nice experience of the Winter sky. I aimed to see the Flaming Star nebula which appeared nebulous and crowned by its associated cluster. This was the Auriga target rather than the showy M36-M37-M38 combo. I last observed the object several years ago with my Z10 before the advent of TSS.

In terms of views, the 25mm Plossl performed capably and presented a flat field with no curvature or coma at the edges. Also, the snap to focus was quite easy to achieve using the rack and pinion focuser. The f/9.8 focal length was very forgiving for this basic Celestron eyepiece, and the eye relief was somewhat less than the GSO 30mm Superview, which created a darkening effect.

If the fog lifts I will likely add a second early morning session before sunrise. By that time, Leo will have come into view, so I'd like to observe M65 and M66 through the 102 mm scope. I'd rate the skies at Bortle 5. Anyway that's it for now, hopefully more later on...

Nice. I wish I had B5 skies.

Congrats on starting the new observing year Michael. How do you like the new mount so far?

Good deal Michael, sounds like you had a fine pre-dawn outing in a beautiful part of the sky. I wish I still had B5 skies at home!

Well done, Michael...a great start to the new year!

Dave

Nice report and indeed a nice start with a new mount...

Clear Skies Ahead.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:56 pm Congrats on starting the new observing year Michael. How do you like the new mount so far?

So far so good. Slight amount of vibration as you move the OTA around but it dampens quickly.

kt4hx wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 5:32 pm Good deal Michael, sounds like you had a fine pre-dawn outing in a beautiful part of the sky. I wish I still had B5 skies at home!

Yeah its really not bad - Bortle 5.

The limitation tends to the be the cloudiness and raininess, but that's what you get in Washington so you have to take advantage of a clear sky whenever you can get it.

StarHugger wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 6:01 pm Nice report and indeed a nice start with a new mount...

Clear Skies Ahead.

Thank you Aaron.

Unitron48 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 5:50 pm Well done, Michael...a great start to the new year!

Dave

Thanks Dave. I've resolved to be more aggressive in getting out there when it happens to be clear. 2023 was probably the worst year for opportunities in all my years of observing, which goes back to the late 70's.

Good for you Michael, and glad to hear you're pleased with the mount. An early morning session, nice. I sometimes have clear skies then lately, but at 20F I usually pass...

Hope you get out again soon!

A nice observation!
The 102mm F9.8 and 30mm Superview combo gives a nice widefield effect. Those groupings at low magnification ( just a glow) are a nice addendum to the starfield. At higher magnification they, when resolved, appear slightly less impressive. At least in my eyes they do.
I know you do not intend to give yourself a VROD, therefore I do recommend it as VROD!

John Baars wrote: ↑Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:44 am A nice observation!
The 102mm F9.8 and 30mm Superview combo gives a nice widefield effect. Those groupings at low magnification ( just a glow) are a nice addendum to the starfield. At higher magnification they, when resolved, appear slightly less impressive. At least in my eyes they do.
I know you do not intend to give yourself a VROD, therefore I do recommend it as VROD!

I certainly second that! First of the New Year!!

Dave

a sky 5, there is a very big difference with a sky 9 like mine.
lucky you.

OK all, thanks for the VROD nomination!

Let's hope this year (2024) is better than the last as far as observing goes and we all get more opportunities to get out there without too much cloudiness, smoke from fires, and gosh knows what else might be a factor.

Congratulations on the VROD!

John Baars wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 1:18 pm Congratulations on the VROD!

Thank you John. I am reticent about taking in VROD awards but you guys talked me into it.

Hi Michael,

Nice report. and nice new mount.

Congratulations on the VROD.
Joe