Help needed with DSO observing

[prova]

i think it's purely lack of experience and the fact i don't know my way around the sky yet but i'm yet to see any anything else than the moon (which looks impressive), jupiter and a few faint globs and double stars

im really keen on looking at some nebula/galaxies if possible with my scope yet unable to as i simply don't know where to point my scope even after getting my September map from http://www.skymaps.com

any ideas to help a novice would be great..

[Paddy]

Perhaps the brightness of the moon will make it hard to see much more than you've described at the moment. I'm fairly new to this obsession myself and do alright in finding nebulae, galaxies, clusters etc. but I don't look for much other than moon, planets and globulars while the moon is about. I hang out for the dark skies. If you point some binoculars around Sagittarius, find some fuzzy bits and then point your scope at them you'll definitely see some interesting things. But perhaps wait til after the full moon when you will have a few hours of dark before the moon comes up to explore.

[ballaratdragons]

Paddy gives you good advice. The Moon washes out Galaxies. Some brighter Nebula can be seen but they are very hard to see in any detail. In about 2 weeks time when the Moon is gone, the whole sky will open up again.

[Jarrod]

if your happy to get up about 3:30/4:00am tommorow morning the orion nebula (M42/NGC1976) will be rather high in the sky, mars will also be visible at that time, so another planet to add to your list. the moon will be on the oppisite side of the sky, and will be low, so will not wash out the view so much.

but as Ken and Patrick said, it would still be better to wait until the moons out of the way in a few weeks.

jarrod

[prova]

thanks for the replies, as you mentioned the orion nebula will be quite high but how will i still find it and other objects, is this where co-ords come into play?

i don't have a tracker either ..

cheers

[Jarrod]

it may help to download some free star chart software or find a pdf document that has a map of the whole sky. just do a search on IIS or google and you will get plenty of results for free (but still very good) software/charts. once you see the orion constellation on a map its very easy to find as orions sword and belt stand out very well in real life.

the orion nebula is incredibly easy to find, it was the first DSO that i ever saw with my own eyes.

jarrod.

[BluMoon]

prova, do you have any bino's?...I have just got my first scope and I still find looking for the objects thru them is best due to the bigger FOV.
Then I get the biggest FOV EP I have (which is a 25mm plossle) and have a "scout around the area".
It may sound a bit hap-hazzard but it's working so far until I train myself better.
Good Luck Guy

[prova]

i do have a pair of binoculars but haven't used them to the look at the sky.. i've tried scouting and although even just seeing the immense amount of stars along the milky way yet to see anything that's really stopped me in my tracks, faint globs is what ive seen to date, not even orion yet and i almost feel silly not having seen that with my 8" reflector !!

the worst thing is besides jupiter and the moon, when friends/family ask to show them more i don't where to look :(

:help:

[Paddy]

Something else that you might find useful is this link on night vision and its implications for looking at DSOs

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/basics/3304001.html

Also if you're having trouble with star charts, you'll find Scorpio and Sagittarius easy to find as Jupiter is sort of sitting between them at the moment if you want to observe before midnight.

Patrick

[BluMoon]

Try and take a step back and just look up with the naked eye.A HUGE problem I found when I started a year ago (and still have to remind myself now!) is the scale of constellations. How they look on a planisphere,software etc is totally different to how we imagine them in our heads. I may have this completely wrong but it is something I am mindful of all the time.
Have a look up and it may make sense slowly.
Guy

[Solanum]

I have only had a Telrad for a little while, but have found it very useful. it makes pointing the scope easy. Note that the Telrad helps align the scope where you want, not to find what you want in the sky....

Use the sky map to determine a naked eye star (mag 4.5 or brighter say) as close as possible to the object you wish to view, look for it in the sky, use the Telrad to push the scope there, then use the finder (which usually has some magnification) to spot the actual object you want to view. Many nebulas are clearly visible in the average 8x finder scope. If you don't have a Telrad (they aren't expensive) you need to aim the scope roughly by hand by looking along the tube instead then find the spot you want in the finder.

You do need to make sure the finder and Telrad are aligned to the scope though. Get Jupiter in the centre of view with a moderately high magnification eyepiece and then adjust the screws on the finder so that it is in the centre of the finder.


Also, go for bright nebulas, galaxies are generally a lot harder to see.

[jjjnettie]

Whereabouts do you live Prova?
I reckon your best bet would be to get to an observing night with your local Astronomical Association.
Observing under a near full moon is a very frustrating experience, everything of interest is washed out, once you're under a darker sky you'll find it so much easier.

[GrahamL]

Your in the ACT .. from earlier posts ?

A telrad finder is a great tool to help you get started
finding your way around http://www.rtpnet.org/chaos/RA/telrads.html
jupiter is easy to spot atm .. look for the brightest star not long after sunset you can't miss it.

good luck hopefully someone from your way will jump in to give you a hand

[Ric]

Hi Prova, if you reside in the ACT then you may want to come along to a meeting of the Canberra Astronomical Society. they have a very good beginners group before the main meeting as well as observing nights.

Here is their website

http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/cas/

Cheers

[prova]

thanks for all your help guys!