http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/ca ... _472_1.asp
Today is astronomy day, anyone have any plans?
~MooEy~
Happy Astronomy Day 16/4 o_o
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." -
acc
- Administrator
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- Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball
Hi all
Astronomy Day is over and here's a report on how it went. Due to the cold weather here (about 15C), I had my Nexstar 5 placed outside the house 2 hours before sunset to have it cool down to ambient temperature. The skies had been clear all day and I was anticipating a fruitful night. It turned out I was too optimistic. Right on cue at about 8.30pm when the sun sets, clouds started rolling in ominously from the coast! ArrggGH! Within 10minutes and before the arrival of the first guest, clear blue skies have been covered by a thick layer of low-hanging cloud. Its as if Monterey Bay has pulled a woolen blanket over itself to keep it warm for the night! Naturally, those who turned up were very disappointed. I fared slightly better, since my brought me a bottle of wine and some chocolates 8) To think that the previous 5 nights had been consecutively clear; what’s the chance of that! Anyway, we agreed to try again the next day.
Sunday night was much better. Had the Nexstar5 cooled down as usual. (this is something we don’t have to do in Singapore. It can be quite annoying really cos’ I have to leave the scope unattended in the sidewalk and hope my neighbours’ dogs don’t harass it).
Our persistence was met with clear skies this time round. Started off the night with a few open clusters (M36/7/8). The glare from the moon and the limited aperture means the clusters aren’t too impressive. Some polite hmms came from my colleagues. Skipped M41 and many other objects… they were either too close to the horizon or washed out by the moon’s glare. Then slewed over to M42. More response this time round. Next, over to Saturn. This really got them going. Some of the comments “Wow” “It looks so fake” “Is it real??!! It looks like a photograph!” Saturn really got them excited!
Next target was the moon. It was nicely framed in the 19mm Pan. In the 7mm Nag (180x), the craters are sharp and highly detailed. Many were impressed and surprised they could see so many craters in the moon. After Saturn and the moon, Jupiter was somewhat of an anti-climax… 3 moons were visible with 1 possibly transiting in front of the planet. It was hard to confirm as seeing was poor with Jupiter still relatively low in the sky. Many were surprised to learn that it’s a gaseous planet with no solid surface.
The observing session lasted over an hour. All of them had a great time and I so did I. Always find it a pleasure to observe the expression of those who are seeing these jewels of the night sky for the first time.
Hope the rest of you had a good astronomy day too and take some time off to share the night sky with your friends and colleagues.
On a side note, I found it was really convenient to have a goto scope for such events. Finding objects is a breeze and more importantly, there is no need to manually track the scope.
Clear skies!
cc
Astronomy Day is over and here's a report on how it went. Due to the cold weather here (about 15C), I had my Nexstar 5 placed outside the house 2 hours before sunset to have it cool down to ambient temperature. The skies had been clear all day and I was anticipating a fruitful night. It turned out I was too optimistic. Right on cue at about 8.30pm when the sun sets, clouds started rolling in ominously from the coast! ArrggGH! Within 10minutes and before the arrival of the first guest, clear blue skies have been covered by a thick layer of low-hanging cloud. Its as if Monterey Bay has pulled a woolen blanket over itself to keep it warm for the night! Naturally, those who turned up were very disappointed. I fared slightly better, since my brought me a bottle of wine and some chocolates 8) To think that the previous 5 nights had been consecutively clear; what’s the chance of that! Anyway, we agreed to try again the next day.
Sunday night was much better. Had the Nexstar5 cooled down as usual. (this is something we don’t have to do in Singapore. It can be quite annoying really cos’ I have to leave the scope unattended in the sidewalk and hope my neighbours’ dogs don’t harass it).
Our persistence was met with clear skies this time round. Started off the night with a few open clusters (M36/7/8). The glare from the moon and the limited aperture means the clusters aren’t too impressive. Some polite hmms came from my colleagues. Skipped M41 and many other objects… they were either too close to the horizon or washed out by the moon’s glare. Then slewed over to M42. More response this time round. Next, over to Saturn. This really got them going. Some of the comments “Wow” “It looks so fake” “Is it real??!! It looks like a photograph!” Saturn really got them excited!
Next target was the moon. It was nicely framed in the 19mm Pan. In the 7mm Nag (180x), the craters are sharp and highly detailed. Many were impressed and surprised they could see so many craters in the moon. After Saturn and the moon, Jupiter was somewhat of an anti-climax… 3 moons were visible with 1 possibly transiting in front of the planet. It was hard to confirm as seeing was poor with Jupiter still relatively low in the sky. Many were surprised to learn that it’s a gaseous planet with no solid surface.
The observing session lasted over an hour. All of them had a great time and I so did I. Always find it a pleasure to observe the expression of those who are seeing these jewels of the night sky for the first time.
Hope the rest of you had a good astronomy day too and take some time off to share the night sky with your friends and colleagues.
On a side note, I found it was really convenient to have a goto scope for such events. Finding objects is a breeze and more importantly, there is no need to manually track the scope.
Clear skies!
cc
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
-
Airconvent
- Super Moderator
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- Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 11:49 pm
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HI CC,
Haha ha..looks like you are having a wonderful time with "my" scope...heh heh...glad to see your enthusiasm has not waned after all these months...wish you were back here showing us objects on your curry "pot"aball...
many of the regulars at dempsey had gone MIA like matthew, chuan yee, wira david lian, etc...sigh....
Haha ha..looks like you are having a wonderful time with "my" scope...heh heh...glad to see your enthusiasm has not waned after all these months...wish you were back here showing us objects on your curry "pot"aball...
many of the regulars at dempsey had gone MIA like matthew, chuan yee, wira david lian, etc...sigh....
The Boldly Go Where No Meade Has Gone Before
Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R
United Federation of the Planets
Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R
United Federation of the Planets
-
acc
- Administrator
- Posts: 2577
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:15 pm
- Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball
With the clear skies over here, my astronomy spirit is alive and well. Trying to attend one of the regional star parties for a look through monster dobs.
Hmm I think David L is still active, juz that he has switched territory to Tuas?
The N5 may very well be yours if you are still interested. I am suffering from aperture fever again and with 2nd hand LX90s frequently available for about 1000 from astromart, I may not be able to resist the tempatation much longer!
Hmm I think David L is still active, juz that he has switched territory to Tuas?
The N5 may very well be yours if you are still interested. I am suffering from aperture fever again and with 2nd hand LX90s frequently available for about 1000 from astromart, I may not be able to resist the tempatation much longer!
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
-
David Lian
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2003 5:31 pm
- Location: Jurong
Re:Ob
Hi ,
ACC,Life must be good to you.USA is wonderful places to visit if you like nature stuff.
I am still active but have not do any serious ob at Tuas since the last time with Mooey and Henry.The sky is not promising clear so far for me.
Two weeks ago when I go to "Cheng Meng" at CCK in early morning at 6.00am,I was rewarded with sky clear and clear view all round.
Of course it is in the cemetery.
Anyone care to join me in the next ob at CCK ???????
No lah :? ,We stick to Tuas until we have no alternative.
Saya juga takut sekali
Regards
DL
ACC,Life must be good to you.USA is wonderful places to visit if you like nature stuff.
I am still active but have not do any serious ob at Tuas since the last time with Mooey and Henry.The sky is not promising clear so far for me.
Two weeks ago when I go to "Cheng Meng" at CCK in early morning at 6.00am,I was rewarded with sky clear and clear view all round.
Of course it is in the cemetery.
Anyone care to join me in the next ob at CCK ???????
No lah :? ,We stick to Tuas until we have no alternative.
Saya juga takut sekali
Regards
DL
-
acc
- Administrator
- Posts: 2577
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 11:15 pm
- Favourite scope: Mag1 Instruments 12.5" Portaball
hi David & Arief
The 14mm is a great ep though I wish its smaller in size. I did not use it during the star party for fear of it being knocked over. Unlikely I will be selling it anytime soon though.
Yup there are beautiful nature parks here and I having been visiting them as I find the time. Anyway, help keep the OBing spirits alive in Sg!
clear skies!
The 14mm is a great ep though I wish its smaller in size. I did not use it during the star party for fear of it being knocked over. Unlikely I will be selling it anytime soon though.
Yup there are beautiful nature parks here and I having been visiting them as I find the time. Anyway, help keep the OBing spirits alive in Sg!
clear skies!
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!