Stargazing: Initiation of the New 8" Orion Dobsonian Telescope! April 28, 2006

Bill Wheaton

This was our second night out with the new 8" Orion Dobsonian, which replaces my ancient (1960) and sadly decrepit Cave 6" Student Newtonian, that served me heroically during my college and grad student days. The Dobsonian was purchased with funds contributed by many friends, for my 64th birthday, at the end of February 2006.

Bill Wheaton, Jane Wallace, & 8" Orion Dobsonian

Bill Wheaton & Jane Wallace, with Telescope

Jane Wallace & Gary Bennett, with Telescope

Bill & Gary, with Telescope

Bill, searching for a target, with Telescope

Comment:

I understand that the Orion telescopes are made with optics imported from China. They are distinctly less expensive than most of the major-brand telescopes previously sold in the USA of similar size and type. Thus I was interested, both personally and professionally, to see how it compared with my (limited, to be sure) previous experience.

In general I am very impressed and pleased with this instrument, though I need lots more time with it to get re-trained in this game, as it has been decades since I've spent many nights of visual viewing (which is needed to train the eye) so that I can make a better judgement. However, my immediate impression, under decent but not terrific sky conditions (observing site was on the Angeles Crest Hwy, on next ridge north of Mt Wilson, at about west 118 d, 01 m 58 s, 34 d 16' 24.5" N, pretty clear and dark, but still affected by scattered light from LA) is that it is clearly much better than my old 6" Cave, which I came to think was quite good for a 6". Considering my vision is not what it used to be, this seems not bad. The Hercules globular cluster M13 was especially wonderful, better than with my old Cave at its best I think, with many many stars resolved clearly.

Considering the cost ($360 for the Orion, about $250 in 1960 dollars for the Cave), it is clear already that the Dobsonian is a far better bargain in constant-value dollars. The altazimuth mount on the Dob is at least as convenient as the equatorial on the Cave Student Newtonian, which had no clock drive and was barely adequate functionally for hand-guided visual observing. Many details of the Orion, the eyepieces and finder in particular, are distinctly better than the original equipment with the Cave.

Posted: October 22, 2006 by WAW