View Single Post
  #1301  
Old 28-02-2012, 11:32 PM
Suzy's Avatar
Suzy
Searching for Travolta...

Suzy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Posts: 3,700
Hi Amanda

This video here by Orion Telescopes should help you with collimation.

As or some nice bright showpiece objects...

Two globular clusters top the list in our skies at the moment; Omega Centauri & NGC 104 (47 Tucanae).

Some of the most spectacular star clusters:
NGC 2516 (The Diamond Cluster) in Carina
The Southern Pleiades in Carina
The Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer
The Pleiades in Taurus
M41 near Sirius in Canis Major
Mel 25 (The Hyades) in Taurus
The Jewel Box (NGC 4755) in Crux
The Pearl Cluster (NGC 3766) in Centaurus
The Gem Cluster (NGC 3293) in Carina

A couple of bright Nebulae:
The Orion Nebula (M42)
The Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)
View nebulae on moonless nights to get the best out of them.

Something special worthy of a look see:
Carbon star, Ruby Crucis.
Line up your scope on Beta Crucis and just to the left of it is a blood drop red star.

Just a few tips:
Learn where the 26 brightest stars are (this will help you find things easier).

Learn how to measure the sky with your hand.


Read these articles:
"How To Start Right In Astronomy".

http://www.astro-tom.com/messier/mes...rving_tips.htm

"So you want to do deep sky observing".


Recommended maps/Books:
Rob's Maps (you can download them, print them out and pop them into plastic sleeves into a ring binder). These maps are brilliant- many of us use them.
http://sites.google.com/site/southernastronomer/

Astronomy 2012. This will guide you through the next 12 months of observing with month by month guides of events in the night sky. Maps also included. You should be able to still buy this through our forum.

Collins Stars & Planets by Ian Ridpath. A great beginners book, a favorite of many here including myself. Full of maps which are easy to navigate and each constellation has its own guide for objects.
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Coll.../9780007424429

Even though you have go-to (I just realised!) I think you will find these books beneficial as it explains things.

OH! And don't forget Mars- it comes into opposition March 6th (the nearest, so will be nice and big and bright and in our skies the whole night). It's showing a wonderful snow cap at the moment which will be an easy catch thru your 10" dob providing the seeing is fine. Use your 10mm eyepiece.

Enjoy Amanda, and just know that people will only be too happy to help out with any of your questions, okay?!
Reply With Quote