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Hi everyone,
I don't know how many regular astronomers we have on here, but I think it would be nice to provide a place to post reports of what we have seen after a night outside. Even if you've just spent a couple of minutes looking at one object, I, for one, would be interested in hearing. Maybe we could get one or two read out on Orbiter Radio every night/week (depending on the frequency) to let everyone know what we are looking at. I'll start:
25th June 2010:
Sights
- M57
- M13 (First time)
- 'Double double'
- ISS through telescope
I started by waiting. Waiting for the clouds to clear, and for the Sun to slip far enough below the horizon. Luckily, these events occured in conjunction, and I was able to get outside by around 22:30. As I set the scope up, I decided to start with M57, the Ring Nebula, as it is something I have wanted to see more of. With a low Moon on the horizon, I aimed at M57 and tried differing magnification. I used between 36X and 90X to observe the fuzzy circle, and with averted vision, I was able to get the darker patch in the middle, making it very ring-like.
Then, I decided to flip to the 'double double' star, also in Lyra. Starting with 36X, I decided to see what it would take for me to split it. 36X didn't do it, so I used 90X, which showed a tiny amount of dark space between the stars, although 180X gave the best show.
After this, and as time went on, I went to find the globular cluster M13 - something I had never seen before. When I finally found the right square (it is confusing when there are no lines in the sky), I found the globular cluster with 36X magnification. What a treat it was! I have never seen anything like it - a glowing ball of pure awesomeness! I observed it at 90X, and with averted vision, I swear I saw some individual stars come out. Of the three globulars I have now seen, this was by far the best.
I finished the night with a suprise pass of the ISS close to M13, so I quickly turned my scope on it and watched it pass over - 90X magnification revealed the colours and shapes of the solar panels, and the trusses and modules. What a way to finish!
George.
I don't know how many regular astronomers we have on here, but I think it would be nice to provide a place to post reports of what we have seen after a night outside. Even if you've just spent a couple of minutes looking at one object, I, for one, would be interested in hearing. Maybe we could get one or two read out on Orbiter Radio every night/week (depending on the frequency) to let everyone know what we are looking at. I'll start:
25th June 2010:
Sights
- M57
- M13 (First time)
- 'Double double'
- ISS through telescope
I started by waiting. Waiting for the clouds to clear, and for the Sun to slip far enough below the horizon. Luckily, these events occured in conjunction, and I was able to get outside by around 22:30. As I set the scope up, I decided to start with M57, the Ring Nebula, as it is something I have wanted to see more of. With a low Moon on the horizon, I aimed at M57 and tried differing magnification. I used between 36X and 90X to observe the fuzzy circle, and with averted vision, I was able to get the darker patch in the middle, making it very ring-like.
Then, I decided to flip to the 'double double' star, also in Lyra. Starting with 36X, I decided to see what it would take for me to split it. 36X didn't do it, so I used 90X, which showed a tiny amount of dark space between the stars, although 180X gave the best show.
After this, and as time went on, I went to find the globular cluster M13 - something I had never seen before. When I finally found the right square (it is confusing when there are no lines in the sky), I found the globular cluster with 36X magnification. What a treat it was! I have never seen anything like it - a glowing ball of pure awesomeness! I observed it at 90X, and with averted vision, I swear I saw some individual stars come out. Of the three globulars I have now seen, this was by far the best.
I finished the night with a suprise pass of the ISS close to M13, so I quickly turned my scope on it and watched it pass over - 90X magnification revealed the colours and shapes of the solar panels, and the trusses and modules. What a way to finish!
George.
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