Archive for the ‘Z8’ Category
Mess of Messiers!
Posted by admin | Filed under Messier Catalog, Z8
So it has been about one month since FedEx delivered my telescope. Factoring in moon brightness, cloud cover and a busy schedule, last night was the earliest opportunity to take the telescope out under completely dark skies and good seeing conditions. I had spent a couple hours in a kayak late in the afternoon yesterday [...]
Don’t go out tonight, It’s bound to be too bright…
Posted by admin | Filed under Lunar, Planetary, Z8
Last thursday (may 27th) my friend Luke dropped off his sweet SLR digital camera and tripod for me to play around with on a full moon night. Don’t get me wrong, I love the moon. We depend on the moon for so much, but frankly for a backyard astronomer the moon can be a nuisance. [...]
Like a big pizza pie!
Posted by admin | Filed under Lunar, Messier Catalog, Weather, Z8
Tonight was my first chance to check out the moon. It’s currently in the Waxing Crescent phase (20% full) so there is just a very small fingernail to observe. It’s beautiful though. Since so little of the moon is illuminated right now it’s not blinding and there is no need for the moon filter. I [...]
Markarian’s Chain
Posted by admin | Filed under Messier Catalog, Z8
I finally had a somewhat clear night last thursday and decided to get the Z8 out for a little bit in the yard. I was still fighting some clouds but with a chance of the skies clearing up enough to do some observing I thought I would at least just get the telescope out in [...]
Cloudy with a 100% chance of not using your telescope…
Posted by admin | Filed under Weather, Z8
It’s been cloudy! Completely, 100%, absolute cloud covered skies. I hear this is a common curse. Any time a backyarder like myself orders a telescope or any sort of optical equipment, the chance that it will be cloudy for the next two weeks goes up exponentially. I don’t believe in such superstitious curses, but I am [...]
Z8 Assembly and First Light
Posted by admin | Filed under Messier Catalog, Z8
The Z8 finally arrived yesterday morning. I quickly unpacked to inspect. Everything was in good condition and I began assembly. There were no instructions included but I did manage to find a decent version online for the Z series from Zhumell.
The Z8 comes with a laser collimator from Zhumell. I followed the instructions from a [...]
In the beginning…
Posted by admin | Filed under Z8
Ever since I was a child I have marveled at the cosmos. I have always wanted to get closer and understand more. I grew up in right in the middle of Iowa where mostly dark skies are easily found with very little driving. I grew up camping with my family and laying out under the [...]
