Total Newbie / ETX 125 / Kentucky / late June 2004/ What to see?

Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

The one night that I had semi clear skies, all I could see wese a few
stars. All looked identical (just bright dots, no detail). Being
completely inexperienced, I don't know if this is it (when no planets
are in view) or if there will be something more interesting to see.
So I though I would ask.

Thanks!

Check the Sky & Telescope website. There should be a link to what you
can see. And Jupiter is the only planet now available. Being that it
is bright, you can start looking before total darkness.

Look here, for example:

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...icle_110_1.asp

Phil

stevo wrote:

Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

The one night that I had semi clear skies, all I could see wese a few
stars. All looked identical (just bright dots, no detail). Being
completely inexperienced, I don't know if this is it (when no planets
are in view) or if there will be something more interesting to see.
So I though I would ask.

Thanks!

Check the Sky & Telescope website. There should be a link to what you
can see. And Jupiter is the only planet now available. Being that it
is bright, you can start looking before total darkness.

Look here, for example:

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...icle_110_1.asp

Phil

stevo wrote:

Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

The one night that I had semi clear skies, all I could see wese a few
stars. All looked identical (just bright dots, no detail). Being
completely inexperienced, I don't know if this is it (when no planets
are in view) or if there will be something more interesting to see.
So I though I would ask.

Thanks!

"stevo" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

Just for starters:

The Lagoon nebula, the Swan nebula, the Eagle nebula, the Trifid nebula, the
Saggitarius star cloud, the Wild Duck cluster, the Butterfly cluster,
Alberio (star in Cygnus)

"stevo" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

Just for starters:

The Lagoon nebula, the Swan nebula, the Eagle nebula, the Trifid nebula, the
Saggitarius star cloud, the Wild Duck cluster, the Butterfly cluster,
Alberio (star in Cygnus)

(stevo) wrote in message om...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating...

snip

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX

When I started out with my ETX90, I found the "tonights best" feature
really good. It's sort of a guided tour of the best (most easily seen)
things in the sky for your date, time and location. Requires your
scope is well setup and (2-star) aligned. I'd suggest using your
biggest eyepiece first too (gives a big FOV to help find target
objects even with slightly inaccurate GOTO pointing).

Jupiter ain't bad (you should see the four moons and several cloud
belts with ease). This time of year - a stir around in Cygnus is well
worthwhile. Lots of objects of interest, especially if you just want
to check out what's up there with no view to specialising or seeking
specific objects yet.

Cheers
Beats

(stevo) wrote in message om...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating...

snip

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX

When I started out with my ETX90, I found the "tonights best" feature
really good. It's sort of a guided tour of the best (most easily seen)
things in the sky for your date, time and location. Requires your
scope is well setup and (2-star) aligned. I'd suggest using your
biggest eyepiece first too (gives a big FOV to help find target
objects even with slightly inaccurate GOTO pointing).

Jupiter ain't bad (you should see the four moons and several cloud
belts with ease). This time of year - a stir around in Cygnus is well
worthwhile. Lots of objects of interest, especially if you just want
to check out what's up there with no view to specialising or seeking
specific objects yet.

Cheers
Beats

There are a couple of resources you should be aware of that will greatly
aid in your use and understanding of the ETX line of scopes.

1st is Mike Weasner's Mighty ETX site: http://www.weasner.com/ETX

the 2nd is the YAHOO! ETX group.

Both of these will be of invaluble use to you.

Craig

In article ,
says...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

The one night that I had semi clear skies, all I could see wese a few
stars. All looked identical (just bright dots, no detail). Being
completely inexperienced, I don't know if this is it (when no planets
are in view) or if there will be something more interesting to see.
So I though I would ask.

Thanks!

There are a couple of resources you should be aware of that will greatly
aid in your use and understanding of the ETX line of scopes.

1st is Mike Weasner's Mighty ETX site: http://www.weasner.com/ETX

the 2nd is the YAHOO! ETX group.

Both of these will be of invaluble use to you.

Craig

In article ,
says...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

The one night that I had semi clear skies, all I could see wese a few
stars. All looked identical (just bright dots, no detail). Being
completely inexperienced, I don't know if this is it (when no planets
are in view) or if there will be something more interesting to see.
So I though I would ask.

Thanks!

I started last year at the same time....the first thing I saw was Jupiter at

dusk during this exact week. I thought my new scope was messed up because I

saw these 4 dots lined up the Planet. They were the MOONS of Jupiter!!!!

I've learned a lot since and would be happy to "guide" you toward a few

targets. There are MANY that are far more interesting than planets...look

online for M13---very nice. Look at the second star in the handle of the

big dipper. You'll see that it's actually 2 stars!

my email: (take both X's out)

"stevo" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I am a total newbie to astronomy. I have just recently purchased a
Meade ETX 125 w/ UHTC coating (along with the following eyepieces:
4mm,5mm,9mm,15mm,28mm,32mm). As Murphy's law would have it, I have
had nothing but cloudy skies the past few nights.

I have been studying my sky maps and it appears that Jupiter is the
only planet that I will be able to see right now (and with it being so
low in the W sky just after sunset, maybe not even that).

So, what other sort of cool things should I be able to see w/ my ETX
125 here in late June (I live in Kentucky)?

The one night that I had semi clear skies, all I could see wese a few
stars. All looked identical (just bright dots, no detail). Being
completely inexperienced, I don't know if this is it (when no planets
are in view) or if there will be something more interesting to see.
So I though I would ask.

Thanks!