Archive for the ‘Messier Catalog’ 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 [...]
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 [...]
Steak Deburgo + M81 & M82 / Plantains Fosters = perfection in decadence2.
Posted by admin | Filed under Food, Messier Catalog
This last weekend was a great one. Mandy went to Des Moines to help her mom pack for a big move north and I had a visit from a good friend. We had planned to make our annual Iowa Spring favorite. Steak DeBurgo with Morels. Another passion of mine is hunting morel mushrooms every spring. [...]
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 [...]
