Just saw Orionids and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds!

KSeet · Post by **KSeet** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:35 pm

Was flying over Australia and was watching the skies when I saw at least 3 Orionids!

The train was nice and glowing! One of the nicest ones lasted over 10 degrees and about 2 seconds! Magnitude of about -1!

Then I noticed two glowing patches, one big and one small in the sky, near the Milky Way Galaxy general patch..was wondering what was that till I went to read up and realised I was looking at the two Magellanic Clouds!

Beautiful!

Also, just before the sun rose, I saw 3 meteors at the same time from the same radiant within a split second, in an area within the size of Orion! First time ever!

It was a great night!!

Post by **Airconvent** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:27 pm

cool....I don't think I have ever saw those 2 before....wonder what they look like in the eyepiece of an 8" SCT?

kingkong · Post by **kingkong** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:51 am

observing from the plane...? hmm.... perhaps i should forego the free wines and stay awake next time...

KSeet · Post by **KSeet** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:06 am

The two Magellanic clouds were actually quite obvious when I was flying from Singapore to Brisbane overnight. They were to the right of the airplane's track. Very very nice!

I think a scope would reveal lots of stars..haha..don't know about that though.

By the way, you will need to have your surrounding lights darkened totally before you can actually see outside properly. I had the benefit of being in front so I was able to enjoy the view! ;)

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:33 am

cool....I don't think I have ever saw those 2 before....wonder what they look like in the eyepiece of an 8" SCT?

The LMC is 7 degrees across (14 times the size of full moon), max fov of 8" sct is 1.7 degree only. The best instrument to use is a pair of naked eyes or bino (or maybe a TMB 80/480 with 40mm XW)

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:25 pm

Well, a 80/480 scope with 40mm XW will only give 5+ degrees at 12x. You can also try a 8x40 bino (8+ deg) or 7x35 bino (9+ deg) for better framing.

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:50 pm

I think it would be better to use our eyes instead as it would be easier to spot and brighter than the binoculars and telescope.

soulfrost · Post by **soulfrost** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:22 pm

or maybe in near future rent a SOFIA 747 modified plane ? =D

http://skytonight.com/news/4409606.html