Meteor watching

soulfrost · Post by **soulfrost** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:23 pm

um hi people~!

im pretty new to this meteor watching thing . and havent even had a single luck catching any leonids when i first got to know abt it.

anyone know where i should go in Seng Kang for a great view for the upcoming geminid showers? or even the Phoenicinids and Monocerotids ?

also , what is the use of a telescope? should i get a small portable one?
are telescopes expensive?

thanks in advance if u do answer!

~jz =3

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 5:03 pm

Hi!

You don't need too special a place to catch meteor showers. What you need is a place that is as dark as possible. This is because most meteors are just too faint. For example, you might be able to see up to 20 random meteors from a dark site in Mersing, but the light pollution, or 'sky glow', of Singapore will prevent you from seeing all but the very brightest flashes. So for your Seng Kang question, anywhere that is away from glaring street lamps and gives you a full view of the sky will be good enough.

Telescopes are not required for meteor viewing. They are used to view objects that are much smaller or dimmer, such nebulae, planets and star clusters. There is no need to get a telescope unless you want to enjoy these other astronomical objects. Some observers catch meteors through binoculars, but you own eyes are usually best for meteor watching.

Telescopes tend to be rather expensive, though prices have been coming down steadily. 2nd hand scopes are also very affordable. Browse our 'buy and sell' section for an overview of how much some scopes sell for. Also read the faqs if you're interested.

Cheers,
Chris

Post by **weixing** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 5:05 pm

Hi,

anyone know where i should go in Seng Kang for a great view for the upcoming geminid showers? or even the Phoenicinids and Monocerotids ?

Go to a dark site and stare at the night sky in a clear night are all you need for meteor viewing.

also , what is the use of a telescope?

Our eye's pupil is 7mm in diameter, so we all born with a pair of 1 x 7mm binoculars. =P So, basically what the telescope do is to act as a bigger "eye"... Increase the light gathering power and increase the resolution of what we can see... Of course the magnification of a telescope will make the object we want to see bigger and easier to see the detail, but high magnification doesn't mean we can see more details.

should i get a small portable one?

Portability is very importance... too big a scope, you'll be too lazy to bring out the scope and too small you won't see much... one word, get the biggest aperture (diameter of the mirror or lens) that you can move around easily, but try to get one with at least 4" aperture.

are telescopes expensive?

Quite expensive if you are a student and also depend on where you buy it from... basically a decent one will cost you may be around S$1000++ new, but you can always buy used one.

Anyway, you may want to join others and see their scope first before you decided to get one. One word, don't hurry in getting one.

By the way, Welcome to SingAstro and have a nice day.

Post by **Airconvent** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:13 am

hi
welcome to singastro!
don't forget to read up on the faq as well.

ps...are you the SOULZ guy I met the other day for the stylus? your nick, seng kang location and time to join this group is too much of a coincidence !

soulfrost · Post by **soulfrost** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:38 pm

um. no. i just happen to use the name tt all.

regarding this ... sengkang thing. im kinda lazy to go all e way to like say .east coast just to view. heez.
thanks anyway ^-^

now i know something else... human eyes are binoculars ... um thou i tink mine will have prob. my eyes are 600++ degrees . XD

qu1xs1lv3r · Post by **qu1xs1lv3r** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:47 pm

i stay at sengkang! where do u stay! maybe u can come ob with me!

neoterryjoe · Post by **neoterryjoe** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:48 pm

Hi!
Myopia or presbyopia(short and long sightedness) is not a problem. Telescope and binos will focus even if you do not wear specs. If you do have astigmatism, please do wear your specs( although there are correction lens available in the market for telescopes for astigmatism ).

soulfrost · Post by **soulfrost** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:08 pm

coooL! um . i stay near seng kang sec. pretty ... um ugly buildings. to think before they built the buildings oposite where i lived, i use to be able to see fireworks even on the 5th floor =(

thanks guys! i guess now i know what to get when im in china XD

qu1xs1lv3r · Post by **qu1xs1lv3r** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:49 pm

im on blk 226b.. keep u posted if il be obbing... today is raining! with thunder!!

soulfrost · Post by **soulfrost** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:00 am

heh. however i wouldnt be avaliable from dec 2 to dec 14. and dec 18 (rock climbing)