Jupiter and its moons

[TVC]

I set up our new (first) telescope this evening, and in order to calibrate the sighting device the instructions said to point it at a bright object and adjust the various knobs etc. So we took the telescope outside, set it up roughly and pointed it at the brightest thing in the sky. Woo Hoo! Jupiter and three moons without even trying. We then changed to the higher magnification lens: Four moons and the bands on Jupiter. Stunning!

Mrs VC and I are were dancing round the garden and giggling like little kids.

Fortunately it clouded over or we would have not gone swimming tonight, in fact I wouldn't be writing this now.

Can't wait until I've read the instructions through and got it set up properly.

 

[Maz]

Nice one. What magnification is it?
Is Jupiter that bright 'star' at about the 4-o-clock position relative to the moon? I used to have a Tasco many moons ago, so to speak.

 

[col]

I set up our new (first) telescope this evening, and in order to calibrate the sighting device the instructions said to point it at a bright object and adjust the various knobs etc. So we took the telescope outside, set it up roughly and pointed it at the brightest thing in the sky. Woo Hoo! Jupiter and three moons without even trying. We then changed to the higher magnification lens: Four moons and the bands on Jupiter. Stunning!

Mrs VC and I are were dancing round the garden and giggling like little kids.

Fortunately it clouded over or we would have not gone swimming tonight, in fact I wouldn't be writing this now.

Can't wait until I've read the instructions through and got it set up properly.

What type of scope is it, a link maybe? I have three scopes and binos too. The night sky is my fave hobby, really enjoy looking up.

 

[TVC]

It's a 130mm Newtonian, this fella in fact:

http://www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/telescopes/sky-watcher/newtonianreflectors/explorer130pm.html


I'm stunned how they can do something so well made and stable for the price, I'm already very impressed.

 

[col]

It's a 130mm Newtonian, this fella in fact:

http://www.pulsar-op...lorer130pm.html


I'm stunned how they can do something so well made and stable for the price, I'm already very impressed.

Very nice, skywatcher are a great brand, with a great reputation.

 

[on the road]

What software have you got? If you havn't got a Jupiter program then I reccomend this

http://www.astrosurf.com/rondi/jupiter/index.htm the link is right down the bottom of the page

 

[col]

This is my main one, I use it most of the time.


http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2032

 

[col]

You might like this too, in case you dont already have it, really helps you see at a glance whats up to see.

http://www.stellarium.org/

 

[TVC]

Thanks for the links. We are coming from pretty much a standing start, so much to learn.

 

[col]

Thanks for the links. We are coming from pretty much a standing start, so much to learn.

Im would also recommend the sky at night magazine, it has everything from begginners to advanced stuff and tells you what to look for and how to do things.

http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/

 

[Stephenite]

Oooh, this takes me back..

I remember seeing the rings on Jupiter from the back garden when i was about twelve. My dad (who never bought ought much, ever, never mind ought for me) suddenly said to me one day 'Right, get your shoes on we're off out'.

Off we went to Shoppers' World and he bought me a telescope!!! WTF!! A Tasco refractor jobby for £135! Set it up that night. And - magic.

After reading VC's OP i recounted my story to a temp at work who had mentioned something about he'd rather be doing astronomy. Turned out he is studying astrophysics again after a hiatus of many years. First starting in Iran, studies interupted, fleeing and ending up in Norway, establishing himself, working for an OK aerospace company, taking redundancy package and using it for studying. Nice chap.

Makes me want to get a telescope again!! Thx VC

 

[Fnaar]

I'd love to get into astronomy, but unfortunately I can't get beyond thinking about mooning and being able to see Uranus, or heavenly bodies, and my telescope accidentally panning towards the neighbours bathroom window.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'd love to get into astronomy, but unfortunately I can't get beyond thinking about mooning and being able to see Uranus, or heavenly bodies, and my telescope accidentally panning towards the neighbours bathroom window.

The OP mentions lots of knob twiddling too, so it could be just the thing.

 

[rowan 46]

can I also suggest if you haven't found it already this place http://stargazerslounge.com/