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Mercury at Elongation

Discussion in 'Astrophotography and Imaging' started by Orion25, Apr 2, 2017.

Mercury at Elongation

Started by Orion25 on Apr 2, 2017 at 4:24 PM

13 Replies 2777 Views 3 Likes

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  1. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 2, 2017
    #1
    Here is a quick shot of Mercury using my Orion Deep Space Video Cam II with my Orion 127mm Mak. The turbulence was pretty fierce because of the low elevation, but you can still make out the phase (I hope):


    Enjoy,
    Reggie
     
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  2. Zigarro

    Zigarro Well-Known Member

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    Zigarro, Apr 2, 2017
    #2
    Wow! Look at that sucker move! Haven't tried for Mercury yet but I went out at 2:30am yesterday and saw Jupiter with his cloud bands and the four moons! The day before I saw the waxing crescent moon and while my image sucked air, the visual through my Zhumell 14.5 was incredible!
     
  3. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Apr 2, 2017
    #3
    Alright Reggie! I'm glad you were on top of that one! We were socked-in under the clouds - as usual. Clear as the late, pioneering musicians' 'bell' here now. Off to play in a few moments!

    Hey Ziggy! Great to hear a report from you on the Zhumell 14.5mm. Mine finally crawled in - almost had to set a snare for the FedUps guy! Sounds like you've found some winning EP's - congratulations! I'm already hoping they'll re-stock the 9mm soon.

    Enjoy, folks!

    Dave
     
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  4. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 3, 2017
    #4
    Thanks, Z! The Barlow really magnified its motion AND the turbulence. Try to catch it in the next few days before it sinks too low, and ramp up the mag. I'm glad you bagged Jupiter; it's getting bigger and brighter as it reaches opposition (April 7 is the big night)! So, tell me about that Zhumell: pretty sweet EP?

    Reggie
     
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  5. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 3, 2017
    #5
    Thanks, Dave. Jump on those "bell" skies and let me know about your celestial exploits. You like the Zhumell line? What are the perks?
     
  6. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Apr 3, 2017
    #6
    They provide, I've found, a crystal-clear (Richard Nixon is rolling over in his grave) view of detailed subjects - like planets. Excellent contrast. And a good FOV for such up close and personal pursuits - 55° with a 20mm eye-relief. These things being reminescent of an orthoscopic - with more FOV.

    And at the price - less than half of the Orion Edge-On Planetary EP's (which are the same EP under a different brand) - make these a clear <koff!> winner.

    Dave
     
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  7. aeajr

    aeajr Well-Known Member

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    aeajr, Apr 3, 2017
    #7
    I got my first view of Mercury last Wednesday at a club observation night. I was setting up around 8 pm and someone asked what star that is over there. I pulled out my phone, called up SkEye and low and behold, that wasn't a star it was Mercury. So I got out the 10X50s. No detail but you could see it was a disk rather than a star.

    Put in the 60X eyepiece in my ETX 80 and it was a larger glowing disk, similar to what Venus might look like. Could not see any phase detail.

    So, check mark! My first view of Mercury.
     
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  8. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 3, 2017
    #8
    Hmmmm. Thanks for the insights; I may have to add a Zhummy to my list!
     
  9. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 3, 2017
    #9
    Congratulations! Isn't it exciting? Maybe a filter might reveal some phase. A variable polarizing filter works wonders.
     
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  10. Zigarro

    Zigarro Well-Known Member

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    Zigarro, Apr 3, 2017
    #10
    You can bet I'll try on the 7th, but I don't know how the view can improve over what I got Monday morning; the seeing was near perfect. Our forecast says "partly cloudy" for Fri-Sat so I'll see what it looks like then. I can't add a thing to Dave's comments except that these Zhumell Planetaries are superb and if you want more than the 18 & 14.5mm you should get on their waiting list asap. For $42 - $45 you sure can't go wrong! I posted pix in the "Observing with small Apertures" thread.
    (I'm very glad I didn't have the hassle Dave met with when I ordered mine!)
     
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  11. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Apr 3, 2017
    #11
    Yeah Ziggy - although I'd like to see Telescopes Plus get hit by an artillery-shell for that stunt(s) - my reviewing-process remains objective. I wish they weren't the only outfit that has these Zhumell EP's.

    I'm also on their 'Waiting List' for a 9mm. As my 150mm F/12 Maksutov is my dedicated Solar-System Objects' telescope, the 9mm will give me a good, clean 200X. A 6mm Orthoscopic, which I already have, covers the 300X spot for the Mak. Atmosphere willing of course!

    No way can I justify getting a 6mm Zhumell to bump-out the Ortho. Me thinks that would be some bizarr-o form of heresy. :eek: :p

    So Reggie - if you've got the coin - a Zhumell would make for a worthy consideration for an expenditure IMHO.

    Frugally,

    Dave


    Zhumell 9mm Planetary Eyepiece - on Waiting List.jpeg
     
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  12. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 4, 2017
    #12
    I'm getting Zhummy fever!:D
     
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  13. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Apr 4, 2017
    #13
    Friend of mine went to Puerto Rico for a vacation - and spent the week in the hospital. He came back with a t-shirt to mark his time: "I Went To Puerto Rico & All I Got Was Dengue-Fever."

    I think I'd rather have Zhummy-Fever. Dengue doesn't sound like any fun!

    Dave
     
  14. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Apr 4, 2017
    #14
     

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