Trying to see "faint fuzzies" is cool. I'm still amazed even if I'm just taking the dog out in the dark to do his business at the fact that I can see the Milky Way from my property. But the planets and moon are still pretty breath taking through a telescope. Seeing the rings and bands of Saturn, and seeing Jupiter's bands and moons and the GRS are pretty amazing. I've once or twice managed to see the "canals" on Mars as well as the ice caps. And looking at the moon at 200x or 250x and feeling like you're practically there is crazy too.

The first time that I saw Andromeda in my 102mm it was just a faint fuzzy but a thrill none the less.

What's really crazy is how bright it is and how massive it is. It's 6 times wider than the moon. Granted, I don't think we see that much 99.9% of the time. I'd be curious to know how it looks under REALLY dark skies. I can just see it naked eye at my place, but it's much better with some binos or a scope. But it's gotta be a low mag EP.

This is obviously a photoshop, but it's supposed to show the correct relative sizes.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/61...58e6125f5b.png

Another version.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4247/3...1f483da4_b.jpg

It's also very cool this this is 3 very easily visible galaxies.

http://annesastronomynews.com/wp-con...Galaxy-M31.jpg

Well, I got out right after sunset and took a quick peak at the moon. The Pano 24 sure beats the 26mm 50º Plossl. I could see the whole moon which was nice. The Morpheus 12.5mm 76º was nice too. I also took a quick peek at Mizar and Alcor. Again, good stuff. Then the humidity/dew and mosquitos ran me in, besides, I've still got to put up the dishes, shower, relax and get to bed so I can get up for work tomorrow.

Man, waiting for retirement sucks. I need a long lost super rich uncle to think I'm awesome and kick the bucket.

I can't remember, do you have focal reducer? Get one if not.
https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ lets you see some fields of view. Your Pano with the 8 inch f/10 nicely covers the whole moon.

An actual original, mostly metal, made in the USA, circa 1998 ETX? Yes, those can be rebuilt, and still maintain some value afterwards (I'd have to charge, oh, $250, TOPS...likely less)
Anything after that with any plastic at all, and the repairs will be more than the scope is worth. The later ETX scopes are all plastic crap.

No, I did not get the focal reducer. I considered it. I also didn't convert to a 2" back. I got the pano 24 because it was pretty much the biggest, widest 1.25" EP I could get.

I...well, I kinda got an astronomy tattoo, while on vacation this weekend. Went to go see an old friend here in Tucson, and he put together a traditional piece.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626500413.jpg

Yes, it's an very traditional black-and-grey style piece, from an old school guy with a long and sordid history. The Black Rose is a nod to his shop.

I also visited Starizona and chatted with my other old friend Dean Koenig, he's going to send work my way now.

Nice!

PM me with turn around and shipping requirements please. I'd rather not defork this thing and besides the secondary is a bit wonky too.

I hear you but the other hobbies take priority !

911 needs
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1001998-any-audiophiles-out-there.html

Couple of shots after the Moonset last Friday evening. Camera on tripod only, ISO 800 or 1600, 15 seconds F1.2.
Fist up, Cassiopeia and the Andromeda galaxy.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1627070941.jpg

View looking Southeast. Saturn
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1627071029.jpg

Nice to have such a dark sky.

This is about 15 minutes drive east of my house away from the city. It was OK, not great but not too bad.

What's the Bortel?

Ouch!

last year I almost bought this house outside of Alpine, Tx on 17 acres.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1627078614.jpg

with these skies.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1627078845.jpg


But, it didn't happen.

Friend of mine just shot Andromeda.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1627081410.jpg