August Monthly Observing Challenge!

[iceman]

Hi guys.

The August Monthly Observing Challenge (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=69,224,0,0,1,0) object list with writeups is now done, and you'll find it on the site in the link above.

We're trialling having the reports and sketches, as well as the great DSO images, posted in the single sticky thread, which you'll find in this forum (Space & Astronomy Talk).

I look forward to seeing your contributions this month, new moon weekend is this weekend, so don't forget to get in early and take advantage of the dark skies.

As usual, much thanks to Andrew (astro_south) who wrote up NGC6025, NGC5189 and did the charts, and to John B (ausastronomer) who wrote up M55 and Gamma Delphinus.

[ving]

thanks mike, I'll go have a look.

[Orion]

I will take my imaging equipment to Kulnura and give it a go!

[iceman]

Guys and gals,

How did you find the combining of the DSO images and the reports/sketches into the single thread? Better or worse?
For September MOC launched tomorrow, do you want to see them separated into their specific forums, or stay combined how they were this month?

Appreciate your feedback.

[ving]

I liked it mike. the mixture of obsevations in word and pictures of the objects works well i think. it also cuts down by half the number of threads one has to goto for moc posts. :)
well done :)

[astro_south]

I think it worked great Mike - I say keep it all together for the future

[dhumpie]

Yup keeping it together generates more interest and it seems to spawn more observational notes and comments :)

I will get onto it right now....

Darren

[[1ponders]]

From the imaging standpoint I'd like to see a seperate thread or a change to the name of of the Challenge to include the word "Imaging". IMO "Observing" seems to indicate readers that this thread is for visual astronomy only.

Its obvious that contributions and discussions in the visual and sketch field are becoming more popular but I don't know if it is just my imagination, but there seemed to be far fewer images posted for the last month than previously when there was a dedicated section in the "Deep Space: sub-forum. I feel also that detailed discussion of imaging techniques used "may" be reduced/"overwhelmed" because of the increased in popularity of the purely "Observing" section of the challenge.

JMHO

[ving]

how about MOIC paul?

[iceman]

I can't help but agree with Paul with this aspect.

It does seem that there was a drop-off in DSO images in the combiend threads, than there was when they had their own thread in the DSO forum.

Maybe the DSO guys can post the images as normal in the DSO forum, but also post them in the MOC threads so that people reading the reports and looking at the sketches, can actually see a DSO image to compare it to.

But a thread as normal in the DSO forum, allows the imaging guys to discuss capture details, techniques etc. Basically, like Striker did with his M17 for the August challenge.