Constellation Maps - Useful for Finding Objects in the Sky

I'm always looking for new things in the sky, and some constellations look the same as others so it's a bit hard to distinguish each if you're new to observing the sky. I recently went out to look for my first nebulae, so I had to study some constellations. I found the Lyra constellation with the help of some sky maps and ended up finding the Ring Nebula! I will post photos of it if I can capture it, the Ring Nebula is very dark. I haven't found any others yet since I am currently away from home and surrounded by trees and mosquitoes...

This is useful for locating using other constellations and NSEW directions.

This is useful for finding the Andromeda Galaxy.

This is useful for finding the Crab Nebula, Pleiades, ect.

This is good for finding the Orion Nebula, which should be pretty easy.

I used this to find the Ring Nebula. Vega is a pretty useful star.

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More Improved Photos of Jupiter

Jupiter is a planet that never gets old to look at. It's the biggest, brightest planet in the sky, so of course it's always an interesting target! Every night I have been going out to try improving my photos of Jupiter with just a cheap digital camera, and they are getting much better! I try many different angles and camera settings to try to get the sharpest details. Of course I enhance the photos just a bit to help see the details. I can't wait to get the video usb eyepiece to record and take perfect photos!

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Mercury - the Second Planet I've Found

I was up around 4:00am, the same time when I filmed Sirius, and decided to look at a "small red star" that came up behind the moon. I've never really thought about looking for Mercury since it's so small, but apparently I found it! It's not a bright planet at all, it's kinda faint, but it's still fun knowing you've found a planet!

It's very small, so it's a bit hard to see detail on this planet.

Mercury. [3x barlow, no filter]

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Using Basic Telescope Accessories

This post is to show beginners how to use basic viewing accessories for the Dobsonian XT8 such as the eyepiece, barlow lens, and eyepiece filter. It's common knowledge, but sometimes there can be confusion with something you're new to! I hope it's helpful!

This is where the filter goes. It wont attach to the main eyepiece, although it seems like it should. I've tried many times. So far, I can only attach it to my barlow lens. Make sure it's screwed on tight, if it's loose, it could fall off and onto the mirror inside the telescope and can break it!

This is where the eyepiece attaches to the barlow lens. The silver pegs on the side of the barlow hold the eyepiece tight into place when screwed in.

This is how the whole viewing piece will look once it's all put together. Now all you need to do is attach it into the telescope with the silver pegs to hold it in place! Remember, you don't need the barlow lens; if you don't have a barlow, just attach the eyepiece into the telescope itself!

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Sirius - The Prettiest Star to Catch on Film

I went outside early around 4:00am and looked up at the sky to see Sirius. I decided to take my telescope out for a nicer view, and ended up with a nice video of it! It's so beautiful! I also took 4 frames from the video to lay out an image of the star's pretty colors!

[Of course the telescope is a bit out of focus. When it's in perfect focus, the star is still a small dot, but color is still visible. When it's a bit out of focus, you can see the colors and movement better!]

[Four frames of Sirius from my video.]

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Improved Photos of Jupiter

Here is my second attempt at snapping photos of Jupiter and the moon, along with a blue star that looked interesting! I can't wait for a full moon and a nice 5x barlow lens and Orion StarShoot video eyepiece!

Jupiter much closer with better detail with great red spot! [3x barlow, no filter, zoomed camera]

Jupiter and Galilean moons. It's interesting to see the moons' positions change. [3x barlow, no filter]

Jupiter with moons. [3x barlow, no filter]

A hot blue star is what I am guessing this is. [3x barlow, no filter, slightly unclear zoom to see luminescence]

Half moon. [no barlow, no filter]

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Second Video of Jupiter Through my Telescope

Jupiter is a pretty hard planet to catch on video sometimes when it's zoomed in on. I failed to catch it 24 times due to the fact that it literally flew past my screen in about 0.5 seconds! There are times when it's "slower", i'm not exactly sure as to why it's lightning fast at times, then acceptably fast the next. Haha!

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