Montebello, Focusers and Tacos

by Greg Claytor

I arrived a bit late due to an earlier commitment, about 8:50 and immediately set out to collimate my XT8 after I had installed my new MoonLite focuser. Well, actually Greg LeFlamme and Dan Koa collimated it for me. I watched and learned the procedure, that secondary adjustment knobs are better than set screws and that you have to collimate the collimator. Who knew?

I sat down at my scope and Greg L. handed me a Televue Panoptic 24 and I got to work. I found Jupiter and sighted in my finder. Then I set out to find M51 and the Lagoon nebula. I suppose that's not very difficult or efficient, but I know where they are. Anyway, the focuser is amazing. I was able to mag up and roll the image in and out of focus with my finger tips. I later found a globular and was amazed at how the center appeared to become more dense as I rolled my eye around the outside of it. Strange effect. Towards the end of the evening I swung back to Jupiter and dropped in my 6mm and then a Barlow. This was more than the sky and scope were going to allow, but I was still able to roll the image in and out of focus for nanoseconds long enough to make out banding like never before in this scope. I love my new focuser. I'm in denial about Televues. I have to be. They are so nice. Thank you Greg. I'd like three please.

A treat was when Albert rolled up and began working with Greg L. to find some obscure NGC objects. They exchanged observing techniques, discussed OIII filters and generally gave Greg's scope a good workout. Albert turned to me a asked what I was looking at and I replied "the Lagoon!" He to took a peek and then served up a favorite of his own: a helping of the Saturn Nebula. He swung my XT8 to the east and invited me back to the eyepiece. That was fun Albert. I had never seen that before, and quite frankly, if I had I would have missed it. Now I know what to look for. I'll have my Star Atlas 2000 the next time you ask.

I also enjoyed my conversation with Michael. We discussed the finer points of nurturing an astronomy interest in out sons and the logistics and concerns of including them at star parties. Oh, and I also enjoyed stealing views through Michael's Pletstone.

All in all it was a very enjoyable evening. I enjoyed the location, the equipment, but more than anything else I continue to enjoy the friendships that are developing.

Greg Claytor