Friday 4 November 2022

150mm/f8 reflector - "First Light".

Around 19h30m UT last night the clouds parted long enough for me to set up my new 150mm reflector (Thank you Nick).

A quick equatorial setup and straight over to Jupiter. Speed was of the essence as clouds were loitering over towards the south west.

Jupiter stood out really well through the 10mm ep (plus the x2 Barlow).

Both the South Equatorial and North Equatorial Belts were easily seen.

There was a transit of Io in progress, the shadow of Io was inky black and stood out well on the South Equatorial Belt. I didn't see any sign of Io itself. 

Those clouds were getting closer!

Time to have a quick look and La Lune.

The f8 reflector returned beautiful images of the craters near the terminator.

Simple afocal camera photography gave me the picture that you see below.




Crater Bullialdus was half filled with shadow, half filled with sunlight what a wonderful sight.

After a quick look around the remainder of the Sea of Clouds, it was time to pack up. 

The Clouds of Pembrokeshire had totally enveloped the night.

"First Light" views through the new f8 reflector show promise. 

Maybe tonight I'll get a glimpse of Mars.

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