Sconesbie
24-01-2015, 11:03 AM
Tool of trade: Skywatcher 10" Dob.
Location: Legana, Tasmania. North of Launceston. Backyard.
Light pollution: Street lights on other side of house.
Skies: Crystal clear.
Temp: Warmish until 12:00 and then cold.
Viewing: Exciting. Last night my aim was to focus on just a few objects, try to study them and learn their traits and locations a bit better. I saw things I've not seen before and could have spent more time but it just got too cold. Here is a brief outline of my night:
- Tarantula Nebula. Never found this before. When I saw it I had to draw a rough picture of where it was so I could find it again later and identify what it was. Firstly it looked like an octopus with its curled arms. It was right near the LMC. Quite large and spectacular.
- LMC. Something I found here was three roundish cloudy objects close to each other in a pattern similar to Orions Belt. I tried to get closer with a 10mm but just couldn't focus any more. Small galaxies maybe?
- LMC. Near this again was another three (maybe four) cloudy objects in a triangle pattern. One at around 2 o'clock, one at around 7 and the other at around 11. If that makes sense (trying to describe how the formation looked).
- SMC. Haven't found this before. Very bright through telescope and a very tight cluster in the middle which expands and "loosens" on the outer edges. Tried to get closer again but 10mm was the lowest I could get any decent focus.
- M42. Easy to find now especially with dark skies. Quite bright. Lots of smaller stars stuck within it. Didn't stay on it too long.
- Crux and Jewel Box. Thought I had located but in reality, after checking this morning, I don't think it was. When I was viewing, I drew a picture and mapped it out as best I could. When I checked my drawing compared to the Skymap for January it shows a similar pattern to where there is a cluster called 2808 (and heaps of others). I lucked out. The Skymap shows the Crux and Jewelbox lower to the horizon and my trees are in the way. I may need to wait a while and see if they get higher as the months progress. In saying that, I'm happy with what I found. Maybe my mapping will help me find it again later so I can find the other clusters that are around here.
- Jupiter. Bands visible and four moons to its left. Two very close to each other on the far left, one in the middle and one very close to the planet itself. Went as low as 10mm eyepiece to try and get more detail.
Mapping and drawing is a great way to find things again later. Tonight isn't looking so good but I can't wait for the next one.
Location: Legana, Tasmania. North of Launceston. Backyard.
Light pollution: Street lights on other side of house.
Skies: Crystal clear.
Temp: Warmish until 12:00 and then cold.
Viewing: Exciting. Last night my aim was to focus on just a few objects, try to study them and learn their traits and locations a bit better. I saw things I've not seen before and could have spent more time but it just got too cold. Here is a brief outline of my night:
- Tarantula Nebula. Never found this before. When I saw it I had to draw a rough picture of where it was so I could find it again later and identify what it was. Firstly it looked like an octopus with its curled arms. It was right near the LMC. Quite large and spectacular.
- LMC. Something I found here was three roundish cloudy objects close to each other in a pattern similar to Orions Belt. I tried to get closer with a 10mm but just couldn't focus any more. Small galaxies maybe?
- LMC. Near this again was another three (maybe four) cloudy objects in a triangle pattern. One at around 2 o'clock, one at around 7 and the other at around 11. If that makes sense (trying to describe how the formation looked).
- SMC. Haven't found this before. Very bright through telescope and a very tight cluster in the middle which expands and "loosens" on the outer edges. Tried to get closer again but 10mm was the lowest I could get any decent focus.
- M42. Easy to find now especially with dark skies. Quite bright. Lots of smaller stars stuck within it. Didn't stay on it too long.
- Crux and Jewel Box. Thought I had located but in reality, after checking this morning, I don't think it was. When I was viewing, I drew a picture and mapped it out as best I could. When I checked my drawing compared to the Skymap for January it shows a similar pattern to where there is a cluster called 2808 (and heaps of others). I lucked out. The Skymap shows the Crux and Jewelbox lower to the horizon and my trees are in the way. I may need to wait a while and see if they get higher as the months progress. In saying that, I'm happy with what I found. Maybe my mapping will help me find it again later so I can find the other clusters that are around here.
- Jupiter. Bands visible and four moons to its left. Two very close to each other on the far left, one in the middle and one very close to the planet itself. Went as low as 10mm eyepiece to try and get more detail.
Mapping and drawing is a great way to find things again later. Tonight isn't looking so good but I can't wait for the next one.