Magellanic Clouds?

[shaneaust]

It's about 10 pm here in northern Vic and if I look straight up (ie vertically) into the sky, there is a large "cloud" that extends from approx southwest to northwest, with massive numbers of stars, etc.

Is this one of the Magellanic Clouds?

[erick]

Milky Way I think :)

The Magellanics are smaller.

Let me find a map so you can find them. You'll see them, no problem, if the sky is clear, since you have no moon as yet.

[taminga16]

Shane. Have a look at these downloads.
www.skymaps.com
Regards Greg.

[erick]

OK, check this out:-

http://www.skymaps.com/skymaps/tesms0704.pdf

It is for about 2 hours earlier so adjust your brain for further rotation of the earth!

The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) will be almost due south. Just find the Southern Cross, then come down in the direction of its long axis to some 20 deg above the southern horizon. A small fuzzy cloud is the SMC. But you should see the lovely globular cluster 47Tuc just below it. 47Tuc will look brighter to your eye then the SMC.

If you find the SMC, the LMC (yes, Large Magellanic Cloud) should be easy to find. Probably the best way is to find Canopus and then move your eyes left, but less than half way to the SMC. the LMC is bigger and more distinctive. Can you see a brighter spot in the LMC? 2070 - the Tarantula Nebula?

How did you go?

[shaneaust]

Thanks, guys - I sort of thought it was the Milky Way, but didnt want to reveal my ignorance (as though it wasnt apparent anyways!).

I managed to get a shot of what I was looking at, a 1.5 minute exposure taken with a Canon Rebel (EOS 300d). Slightly out of focus - not much to base my infinity setting on tonite!

[erick]

Which direction were you facing Shane? NW, SE, S? And what time was the photo taken. I'm trying to identify the view.

Also infinity should be the endstop of the lens if it is setup properly - just crank it to the end and shoot is the simplistic approach!

[ballaratdragons]

Shane,

The first image is the Magellanic Clouds 'LMC' & 'SMC' when you are facing south.

The 2nd image is looking diectly above you. The Milky way.

Images from 'Stellarium' Program.