Visual Astronomy with the Mak

I just got my dual finder scope mounting bracket so decided to take advantage of it.

I mounted the finder scope and laser. The laser at first was almost in the way when putting my eye to the eyepiece. After some adjustment, it was okay. I used the Baader Zoom the whole night (except for a short observation with the 3mm EP).

Also with the bracket + finder scope + laser mounted, the back of telescope is quite heavy, and it's no longer possible to tighten the altitude knob just right so it can move freely but stay put when left untouched. I however got used to tightening the knob when needed and having it loose when searching. 

I did half the session seated and half standing. Either way, the tripod height has to be changed sometimes. All in all, standing was not bad. Also sitting was not as comfortable as when using the Dobsonian, since one has to look down into the eyepiece at different angles.

Observations

  • Double stars
    • Albireo - Cygnus - 3.1, 5.1, 34" - distinct colors noticeable
    • Polaris - Ursa Major - 2.0, 9.0, 18" - not obvious at first because of the magnitude difference
    • Double Double - Lyra - failed to separate Epsilon 1 or Epsilon 2 - tried my 3mm EP but it did not help: focus was not great.
  • Globular clusters
    • M3 - Canes Venatici
    • M53 - Coma Berenices
    • M5 Rose Cluster - Serpens
    • M13 Great Hercules Cluster
    • M80 Scorpio
    • Failed to see M68 - Corvus
    • Failed to see M56 - Lyra
    • Failed to see M12 - Ophiuchus
    • Failed to see M4 - Scorpio
  • Others
    • M104 Sombrero Galaxy - Virgo - just a faint spot
    • M64 Black Eye Galaxy - Coma Berenices - another faint spot
    • M39 Open Cluster - Cygnus
    • M57 Ring Nebula - Lyra - just a ghost
    • Failed to see C1 - Polarissima Open Cluster - Cepheus
    • Failed to see M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Canes Venatici