I have re-discovered visual astronomy!

[rogerg]

Astro photography is what I do. Visual, well, not really. But...

Last night my partners family was coming over to see the observatory and do some viewing after they went on a nocturnal wildlife tour nearby. This meant the camera had to come off the scope (a rare event) and I needed to find something for us to look at :rolleyes:

It turned out they were late (tour took longer than anyone expected), arriving at about 10:45. This meant I was setup waiting from dark onwards. During that time I thought I may as well brush up on what's around, and wow was I surprised! The last time I looked through my 12" LX200 at more than a guide star was probably before I moved my observatory, 1.5 years ago. And before that, probably only twice in the last 3+ years.

I was shocked that even with thin (and patches of thick) cloud covering the entire sky, I could clearly see great detail in many objects...


Ghost of Jupiter - internal structure and central star clearly visible.
Eight Burst - clearly visible with some structure visible.
NGC 3115 - nice elongated disk
M93 - a nice collection of bright stars
M50 - same deal as M93
Christmas Tree Cluster - couldn't see much more than a hint of nebulosity against the foreground cloud.
M1 - general shape with not smooth edges visible, no internal structure visible.
M46 - could clearly see the planetary as a nice ring in this open cluster.
M42 - wow I'd forgotten how big and bright that is in my scope.
Tarantula - again, wow I'd forgotten how nice that fills the FOV in my scope.
Omega Centauri - again, forgotten that this shows up as such nice pinpoints in my scope.
Saturn - pretty good for looking through a tree (not really visible with naked eye because of branches), but it came and went with the main division in the rings visible now and then.
.. Many more that I slewed to and focused before moving on.Quite an enjoyable time viewing all this stuff. Now I'm wondering if I'll put the camera back on immediately or do some more visual stuff for another night. I'm dieing to get some shots of several insainly faint galaxy clusters.... but visual was so easy and simplistic.... hmmm.. :whistle:

The visitors left at midnight, I packed up then. Clouds all day sofar today :(, 5 hours until dark for them to clear.

Roger.

[mick pinner]

well done Roger, l haven't deceided yet how far l want to take the photography, l like to take photos of things as they appear through the scope, as much as l like the guys processed pics l don't know if it's for me.
Because of this l spend a lot of time visually with the 12"Classic it really is a great scope and worth the time using as a purely visual tool.

[Striker]

I will let you off just this once Roger but dont let me hear you talking about this visual astronomy again:whistle:

[[1ponders]]

:lol:


Don't let the dob brigade hear you talking like that Roger. :scared:

:lol:

I know what you men though, it is peaceful and relaxing.......occassionally ;)

[astroron]

As you say Paul "Peaceful" non of that wirrring,swearing,flashing computers,Ect, only quiet visual splender, and listening to the sounds of the night:thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

I used to be purely visual, until a Toucam changed that. Then I was 90% imaging and 10% visual. But lately I am about 50/50. Both give me a different buzz, but a buzz either way. :thumbsup:

Often I will do both at the same time. Toucam in the ED80 and eye in the 12".

Nowdays I don't believe one will dominate the other with me. I'll probably keep giving them equal time.

[Starkler]

Visual all the way for me .
If I want to see astro photos I'll just look on IIS :evil:

[Geoff45]

Hi Roger
An interesting project that combines both visual and photo would be to sketch something like Jupiter, or an unfamiliar nebula and then take a photo to compare. Might give some idea of what the old-timers were up against.

[Geoff45]

Seems the most sensible way to go. Some of the astrophotography guys control everything from inside their lounge room---doesn't compare wiith going outside and looking.

[DSO]

Oi, less of that sorta talk. ;)

Visual is the way to go!