MB, Mars, goto, 062101

by Jim Feldhouse


seeing was not as good as 2 nights earlier, there was a slight breeze. also, I wasn't watching Mars at its transit, so I didn't see it at its best. I had 5 peepers up looking at the sights so I wanted to give them a tour.

tonight was the 1st night I had BOTH goto & tracking working on the GM8. this proved a giant boon to giving a skytour to the gang. roughly a dozen objects, in little more then an hour, everyone getting a look. GOTO & tracking are such a heaven, I don't think I can ever go back...

anyone want a used meade 16" dobsonian?

the 8 year old would sort grab hold of the eyepiece, I think to center her eye so she would be able to see what was in there. the 1st time she did this I cringed, but when the mount didn't move, and continued tracking with the object(s) centered, I figured, chalk 1 up for a solid mount. I think its hard for someone new(and young) looking thru an eyepiece to get their eye centered and focuses just right. especially on something bright like Mars, where your eye wants to shy away?

I did actually miss 16" of light on some objects though, but other objects, while dimmer, had a tak sharp charm of their own in the fs128. (pun intended) "fairy fire"

I think I am in love with my pentax 7mm. is that wrong?