hi, question

[newbgalore2]

Hi guys, nice to introduce myself here.

I'm a 16 year old this year, not new to astronomy, have been studying astrophysics for a few years. In fact, have won prizes in a few competitons. (e.g: NTU-NUS astro challenge)However, totally new at observation, so would like to learn from everyone here.

I have two questions. Firstly, when and where do you guys meet to observe. I noticed the 'seeing' in s'pore is very poor and there is tremendous light pollution where i live(near JB) so stargazing is almost impossible. Secondly, i often notice one or two bright stars in the western sky, near my zenith. However, i simply cannot identify the stars even when using sky charts/software, because there only 1 or 2 stars exist! Any solutions?

Thanx.

[starfirez]

hello~ ppl here usually observe at dempsey for those who live in the west or tampines for those who live in the east. but the tampines gang are on the move now so they might end up somewhere we don't know.

when there's an observation arranged by someone, it will usually be posted under events n observation so you can keep a look out. or give your name and number to weixing n chee chien (if i'm not wrong) and they'll sms you on the next observation as they are usually the ones that arrange an observation. for your case you shud be contacting the CSN gang.

one of the bright stars will be jupiter and i'm not sure wad the 2nd one might be. one of the nicest place to get up to date and free star map is sky and telescope's interactive star map found at www.skyandtelescope.com . the brighter stars are usually bigger and more prominent on the map and it'll be easier to recognise. if u still find it difficult wad u can do is to get a pair of bino (7x50 or 10x50). you can then see more stars and perhaps you can differentiate between planets and stars. but as i also dunno much in this aspect i'll leave the experts here to give u more advice. happy gazing~

ps: i think maybe jurong have more air pollution due to industrial area. so sky is worst than other places



~huiting~

[newbgalore2]

thnx for yr reply. Btw i live in woodlands(near the causeway). I've used skyandtelescope before, but i often get confused by the time (DST), so i got faint constellations like cancer. 5th magnitude stars in a light polluted sky? yeah right. I'm not sure abt jupiter, but under viewing with a 8X50 bino i got a white 'dot'. The only possiblity could be Altair, but Tarazed and Alshain are not visible, so...

[MooEy]

ok, find a decent planisphere, set the time and date correctly, and face the correct direction. now look on ur planisphere, look for the big dots, then look up at the skies at the bright stars which u can see, those should be the biggest dots in the planisphere.

now, lie down if u can, slowly look at the sky, u have to wait for some time until ur eyes are adapt to the dim stars.

once u can start seeing more than the brightest stars, slowly follow ur planisphere and identify the rest of the stars.

best if u can bring a friend along who has experience, or join a club and go obbing with them.

if u wan try obbing alone now, try seeing the southern skies, try and find the southern cross and maybe scorpius.

oh ya, 1 qns, u said u won prizes b4, which sch u from?

~MooEy~

[newbgalore2]

BP? RI? CHS? guess:P

[kingkong]

Hi guys, nice to introduce myself here.
Secondly, i often notice one or two bright stars in the western sky, near my zenith. However, i simply cannot identify the stars even when using sky charts/software, because there only 1 or 2 stars exist! Any solutions?

1stly, by "often" do you mean recent weeks? what time? early evening? around this time of year, the two bright "stars" you are most likely to see around the zenith and towards the west should be jupiter and Arcturus (in the constellation Bootes - the herdsman) at around 2000hrs. the big bright one further west, that doesn't twinkle, is jupiter.

around the same time at this time of the year, with clear sky, even in bright areas, you should be able to see toward the north - the big dipper, and toward the south, the southern cross and the two brightest stars to it's left - almost a horizontal line from east to west at 2000hrs - alpha & beta centauries.

if you are new to the night sky, the best is to ask someone who knows to point them out to you. the major constellations are very easy to recognise - once you've met them.

[Airconvent]

I have two questions. Firstly, when and where do you guys meet to observe. I noticed the 'seeing' in s'pore is very poor and there is tremendous light pollution where i live(near JB) so stargazing is almost impossible. Secondly, i often notice one or two bright stars in the western sky, near my zenith. However, i simply cannot identify the stars even when using sky charts/software, because there only 1 or 2 stars exist! Any solutions?
Thanx.

Hi,
Welcome to Singastro! Are you one of those students that came to the SP Astro Venus Transit? Anway, we normally stargaze at SP, Toa Payoh central Dempsey, Tampines and lately, Changi reclaimed land...heh heh.
As long as the sky is clear, we get to see alot of DSOs...just not the really faint ones like the Veil Nebula.

You did not say at what time you saw the stars...my guess they are one of the following :

Jupiter, Arcturus (zenith up to around 12am) or Vega (after midnight).
Maybe even Antares..

rich

[chrisyeo]

This thread has been split into other topics. Please remember that long threads are confusing to read and other people will waste time reading them.

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Thanks!
Chrisyeo