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My first telescope was great at showing my first views of the night sky. My first DSO target was the Dumbbell nebula. It looked quite round compared to what I thought it would be. Colorless, almost featureless.

Old observation Spotted this comet during a short "between-the-clouds-session" with my binos (actually, with my old and now retired Celestron UpClose 10x50). Bagged the fuzzy little thing and decided that I'd get a scope out later. However, that never happened. Oh well more comets to come, I'm sure.

Part (7b) of my first light report with the 12" dob: Had to go up early today so I rounded off the session with a peek at the Veil Nebula. This was only the third time I've seen it and obviously the difference from the 6" was, in my opinion, HUGE! I got to bed a happy man. Very glad I decided to get the 12" dob.

Part (7a)of my first light report with the 12" dob: Had to go up early today so I rounded off the session with a peek at the Veil Nebula. This was only the third time I've seen it and obviously the difference from the 6" was, in my opinion, HUGE! I got to bed a happy man. Very glad I decided to get the 12" dob.

Part (6) of my first light report with the 12" dob: M32 and M110 popped into view easier than ever as well. Although I couldn't get all of them in the FOV.

Part (5) of my first light report with the 12" dob: M32 and M110 popped into view easier than ever as well. Although I couldn't get all of them in the FOV.

Part (4) of my first light report with he 12" dob: Next it was time for one of my favourites, M31. Quickly jumped to the right location and WHAM! So bright! My jaw probably hit the ground. And could this really be? Dust lanes? I lost track of time just admiring the galaxy.

Part (3) of my first light report with the 12" dob: But while I was there (Sagitta) I thought I'd have a quick look at M71 as well. It's an object that's been nothing but a very faint smudge through the 6" so it could be interesting to see the difference through the 12". Another wow moment. It just jumped out. No longer a faint smudge, it resolved into stars quite nicely. More so when I increased the magnification slightly.

Part (2) of my firt light report with the 12" dob: So next up was M27. To find it I usually find Sagitta and go from there and that's what I did this time as well. But while I was there (Sagitta) I thought I'd have a quick look at M71 as well. It's an object that's been nothing but a very faint smudge through the 6" so it could be interesting to see the difference through the 12". Another wow moment. It just jumped out. No longer a faint smudge, it resolved into stars quite nicely. More so wh...

Part (1) of my first light report with the 12" dob: At last, time for first light. The scope had been outside for about and hour and a half or so to cool down. Prior to this I had pretty much decided to only go for familiar objects instead of trying to bag new ones. I knew the view would be much better than with my 6", but I wasn't quite prepared for just how much better they'd be. However it stared with a small disappointment, not because of the scope or anything like that. It's just that I ...