There is a peace about observing

[Gem]

After a few months of astro imaging, I have returned to observing... ahh the serenity!
Less frustration, less setting up, less worry, less expectation...
More peace, more enjoyment, more love of the sky...

I feel better already! No goto, just me, a dob and the sky. :)

[Paddy]

Ah yes, way to go Grant. I like your phrase "just me, a dob and the sky". Very much how I like it too.

[omegacrux]

Yup I always wondered why people have thousands of dollars worth of scope and never put an eye too it
Sit in the house with the pc running , mind they do produce some stunning pics

David

[Suzy]

I love it! Nicely put, Grant! :lol:
Yep, when I put my eye to that eyepiece, I feel like I'm opening a window into the universe & cruising through space, a journey into the distant past... Well I am really aren't I. :P I feel at one with it, and oh the tranquility... *sigh* I feel so good after an observing session.

[RB]

Ah !!!
My favourite eyepiece in my EP collection is my Orion illuminated reticle.

:P :lol:

[Suzy]

:lol::lol::lol:

[Gem]

I should also add that there is also a sense of discovery in observing... tonight I saw two objects for the first time (for me that is!): NGC 6221 and 6215 (a couple of gals in Ara). :)

[pgc hunter]

You said it! To me, astronomy is supposed to be relaxing, but challenging at the same time. Hence why I am visual.

Last thing I want is this last avenue of relaxation and serenity taken over by failure-prone computers, hardware, miles of cable, heavy EQ mounts with counterweights that double up as dumbells for our Olympic weight lifting champions that take ages to set up and align, buggy software that willl let you down at the most critical moment.... and the amount of effort and time it takes to set up all this...enough of this complex technology in life as it is. Time spent under the stars is supposed to remove me from all this.

All I need are my eyes and a push-to scope and I am in bliss. And I have several grand left over for other essentials like beer :D

[mozzie]

yep love visual !!!!!!!!

trying to find that small smudge with very averted vision for a split second...

aaahhhh!!!! that satisfaction

spent an hour trying to see peter marples latest s/n still not seen but the chase will continue love it...

[cfranks]

I get the same peaceful feeling when imaging. My eyes are no longer good enough for direct viewing so imaging is it. Cataract removal booked for next month might change that but I doubt it. Sure, I can watch the sequence from my PC in the house and do if I want a cuppa, but mainly I sit outside wrapped in the sky (and some warm clothes) listening to nature. There is a flock of Galah's in a near tree and often, one will fall off the perch dislodging another one and the language that eventuates is shocking!
Charles

[barx1963]

Nicely said Grant.
I have dabbled in imaging a bit, but kept it very low key. There is still nothing like the thrill of seeing a new object through the EP on a lovely dark night.

Malcolm

[RB]

....but you have perfect weather for taking ideal sky flats, I don't understand why you don't take advantage of this.....

:lol:

[MattT]

Couldn't agree more Grant...love my non goto EQ mount and frac, next scope a muscle drive dob not a camera in sight.
Matt

[hotspur]

yes-finding imaging rather challenging-just tried to get my new laptop to go out tonight-but had to bring the whole lot back in and now down load winzip to install OSSAG.Such a lot of headaches with imaging-old Ron Knight was right-should have taken his advice and bought a 16 inch dob and push too computer from Gary-would have had much more use over the years:shrug:

BTW-has anyone heard from Ron-is he OK? tried to ring him,hope he is still alive and well.

[Suzy]

Ron is fine Chris. He's been away the last few days and has returned home today, though tonight he has a bit of star party on at his place so perhaps wouldn't hear the phone. :)

[Gem]

Great night out tonight (Friday). Logan (Loggieberran), myself and my three sons headed 45 minutes out of Canberra to Honeysuckle Creek. Beautiful dark skies!! Nice and simple astro - a big dob. No GOTO. No batteries. Just skies, memory and the occasional glance at Sky Atlas 2000 (Fornax and Sculptor are hard constellations to remember for me!).
First time under a truly dark sky with a large-ish scope for many years. I usually get one or the other (either dark skies or a large scope).

The two little ones fell asleep, but my eldest took some good notes. We had one FOV with 6 clear galaxies in it at one stage. Thanks Logan for your help! Couldn't have taken the kids and scope by myself. :)

[Logieberra]

My pleasure mate, you put on a fantastic tour. Nice to actually 'look' through a scope for a change vs. letting the CCD have all the fun!

That 16" really started to perform as the night went on.

Looking forward to another night up there, with even better seeing next time, fingers crossed.

[lloydt]

Photons traveling for thousands, even millions of years fall upon the retina. There is a relaxing contemplation in that physical interaction, a connection to the universe, a remote and distant past.

Its just not the same when those long traveling photons fall on a CCD, no matter how marvelous the resultant image. The distractions often become more apparent. After hours of stacking and computer manipulation, more often than not I find myself marveling at the process and the technology.

[multiweb]

I always try to spend the night on a DOB when available while imaging. My fav position though is in a recliner chair with a good set of binos and the milkyway right up. I could spend hours there.

[astronut]

Whilst I have the greatest admiration for the skill, passion & talent of the astroimager (and the magnificent images)...to me there is nothing like setting up my 12" LB under a clear, dark, steady sky and just soaking in the Universe.
All for a minimal setup time....:thumbsup::)

[AstralTraveller]

+1 for visual serenity. I used to love the pleasure of the hunt - eventually finding that faint fuzzy, and convincing yourself that it is actually there :lol: - but now that I don't get out so much I've 'given in' and got an Argo Navis.



That would be a top spot. Not so far out of Canberra but up nice and high. Did you set up on the old concrete slabs at the top of the hill? That would be cool - the sky above and history literally under your feet. Otherwise I suppose you could use the camping spot down the hill (if no one is using it) and then you have toilets and the shelter shed. Of course you'd have to fight the roos and wallabies for it! :D




Yes, I've always liked that thought. The photon hitting my eye has traveled
light years - hundreds, millions or even billions of light years - for my sole enjoyment. How privileged I am!

[rally]

I think we all do 'it' for different reasons and get different things out of it and that can change as we go.

The good thing is that we do it and that we enjoy it. Whatever that 'it' may be.

Re "Photons traveling for thousands, even millions of years . . ." - but not for the photon - it got here in an instant !!;)

Rally

[graham.hobart]

I often liken it to meditation to people who ask, I set the imaging stuff up, then either kick back in an old chair with a pair of binos, or set up another scope just for visual. Most of the time I just scan the heavens and talk to myself!
graz

[lloydt]

Its all relative isn't it! :)

[Ric]

Have to agree with this thread

I have been mainly visual for about 12 months now and I do enjoy that stress free worry that comes from just standing under the stars with the scope.

Occasionly I get the urge to stick the the CCD on and bag something but I have resisted for the moment. That time may come soon though.

Cheers

[Gem]

Yes, we were on the concrete slabs of the old tracking station. The site was perfect: dark, semi-protected and only 45 mins from home (Southern Canberra). :)