There is a good chance this could be my last first light observations (well for a telescope) as it is worthy of being a "scope for life," and especially so for me.
My new Tak TSA120, and was purchased with the help of Joe @OzEclipse who knew both that I was looking and that a mutual friend was "selling". For some reason Joe keeps appearing in all my good astronomy adventures....mmm....note to self....good friends are precious!
I have been fortunate to have had the TSA out twice this week, albeit limited. Being so close to full moon, and noting the new equipment tax of cloudy nights has to be paid, I did manage to get some time observing the moon through gaps in the cloud.
Observations
Moon. On Monday night I observerd with a 22mm Nagler, with the plan to get an initial impression of the scope's capabilities, and because I really enjoy just looking at the whole of the moon at the same time. The view is stunning, no false colour or chromatic fringes (as would be expected), and the detail is sharp. The detail of crater walls and crater mountains was very fine, and the sharpness of the craterlets across the field was spellbinding. I seem to gravitate to observing rilles, and I guess this is because of their detail, geological histories, and that they challenge both navigational and observing skills. Schroter's Valley was near the termintor on Thursday night, and while not a challenging object to observe, is a favourite feature of mine. This was perhaps the best view that I can remember of this Schroter's Valley.
I did "hook up" my EOS-RP mirrorless and snapped off 30 or subs and the image is below (yes some sharpending and
NGC4755, Jewel Box. In addition to its sharpness, the TSA has a reputation of showing high levels of colour, and in particular star colour. Given I live at 35S latitude, NGC4755 is quite high in the early evening at the moment. Luckily the new scope cloud taxman gave me a 10-minute reprieve on Monday night. I have had many fine views of the Jewell Box, and typically I would say that I am nearly always able to observe the brightest carbon star in the cluster as a brilliant red, with just a hint of yellow and blue sprinkled across the remainder of the star field. With TSA, I observed vivid yellow and blue stars, and the Jewell Box presented itself as it does in the most enticing observing reports that I have read. I have noted that the stars, well at least with a 22mm Nagler are pin-point, and this certainly adds to the majesty of the view.
The next step is to chase some clear dark skies when the moon's impact on observing is minimal, and observe some
Cheers, Phil
