Whee - Hello!

duffluver · Post by **duffluver** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:34 am

Hello! I've joined but haven't had the time to post yet. I have a tiny scope (100mm), and I use it avidly to look out of my apartment window when time permits. I have a few questions:

1) Is it okay to view stuff from my apartment, rather than go out?
2) Approximately what time will saturn appear in the sky, and what colour will it be? Does anyone have a photo of what Saturn looks like from the ground?
3) I am unable to view globular clusters. Why?

Thanks so much guys! I hope to be welcomed into the Singastro community.

MooEy · Post by **MooEy** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:07 am

if u have a nice enough window that is not very obstructed by buildings, and can turn off all the lights in the house, why not? i have done some nice obs from my window when i'm feeling lazy. mostly planets and lunar as my window face east.

saturn will appear after 3am. it should appear like a big bright orange/yellowish star. but however unlike a star, it should not twinkle. look for it in the east. i'm sure the views thru ur telescope will impress u.

globular cluster ar, right now this season not alot of gobs. the only 2 that i can think of are very dim. maybe wait till centaurus start coming back in maybe 2-3 months time.

ps: 100mm is not tiny wor. with enough patience and experience, it will show u alot.

~MooEy~

Meng Lee · Post by **Meng Lee** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:19 pm

Hi,

Last time i learnt my astro from my HDB with a 8x26mm bino for a number of years and learn how to find clusters, nebulae and recognise constellations!

Then last time my 100mm Orion refractor (think the same as Acc sold, or maybe you have the same scope), is my most travelled scope. Now the most travelled scope is the Megrez 80mm and you can see scores of clusters, nebulae, galaxies even at dark skies, so 100mm or 80mm is not a toy!

boothee · Post by **boothee** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:21 pm

Welcome to Singastro!

Here is a picture of Saturn capture using my 114mm, reflector telescope & 2x barlow last year. But you can expect a bit smaller in your eyepiece.

Clear Skies!!!

boothee

Post by **weixing** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:52 pm

Hi,
Welcome to SingAstro!!

1) Is it okay to view stuff from my apartment, rather than go out?

It's ok if you are not doing critical observation, but best to go out if possible or at least your tube (for refractor) is out.

This is because the temperature inside a house is usually higher than outside, so it'll create another thermal layer to blur your image... unless you open all the windows to "cool down" your house...

2) Approximately what time will saturn appear in the sky, and what colour will it be? Does anyone have a photo of what Saturn looks like from the ground?

Saturn will rise from the east after 11pm.

3) I am unable to view globular clusters. Why?

Most globular cluster are quite small and you might miss them if you don't look carefully. Use a detail star chart to compare the surrounding star field to make sure the globular cluster is in the field of view. Also, make sure you block the stray light using your hand and take a good look in the eyepiece. It's should look like a small blur, ball like patch of light.

Happy observing, good luck and have a nice day.

boothee · Post by **boothee** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:35 pm

For me I really enjoy looking at open clusters instead of globular clusters through my small scope.

When I can see only a very dim object for globular clusters, I can see a group of bright beautiful stars twinkling in my eyepiece for open clusters.

Never get boring finding open clusters whenever we go out and observe. I think they are kind of easier to find and more enjoyable objects for a smaller telescope.

Clear Skies!!!

boothee

duffluver · Post by **duffluver** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 3:35 pm

Wow! Thank you so much guys! Especially for the saturn facts. I have school and this year is my O level year, so I can only stargaze on Saturdays & Friday nights. Yesterday night was so clear, but I was so sleepy that I fell asleep. :p

wAi_kiT · Post by **wAi_kiT** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:22 pm

Oh well, if you have a laptop, you can install some planetarium software... I think its much better than reading off star maps and so. And you can plan your observation sessions before hand! Saves some time also =)