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View Full Version here: : Observation suggestions during tonight's full moon


RocketMan66
20-10-2013, 11:05 AM
I have a bunch of people joining me for an observation session tonight (20th October 2013).

The plan is to view the full(ish) moon rise over a beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Does anyone have any recommendations for interesting objects to observe through an 8" Dob?

Unfortunately, a number of my usual favourites such as Jupiter, Saturn, The Jewel Box and Orion Nebula won't be visible.

My knowledge of the night sky is fairly basic, so I am planning to use an iPad app such as Star Walk and Distant Suns to help guide me to my objects.

Thanks in advance

glend
20-10-2013, 11:18 AM
Suggest you use a moon filter I you have one because the full moon, through a scope, is very bright and can actually leave you with a bad after image.

As to other objects, you going to be limited to high magnitude ones like omega centauri cluster, 47 Tuc, venus etc. The first two are in the south and venus is in the southwest near Antares. Being in Sydney, and its sky glow, you may struggle, especially if the fire smoke is blowing east. If you have a light polution filter that might help on the non-moon objects.

RocketMan66
20-10-2013, 11:38 AM
Thanks Glen,
I do have a moon filter and will make sure I use it when observing the moon.
It'll be a challenging observation session.