Quote:
Originally Posted by Robh
I find the magnitudes and separations for multiple stars useful but the position angles are not much use for just two stars (binary). The PA of the secondary is measured counter-clockwise from the primary and a line to celestial north. The problem is that in a high power view you don't know where the direction of the NCP is and constellations are continually on the move. Consequently, establishing your orientation is difficult except on lower powers where you can establish the position of a clearly defined nearby star. However, where there are more than two stars in a system, the separations, magnitudes, and position angles can all be used to try to establish which stars are which relative to each other.
Regards, Rob
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Thanks Rob, I thought it would be a bit more tricky then just up in my telescope, I was just hoping
Good advice on the magnitudes and separations, I'll try and rely mostly on those.
I've been having so much fun with the new scope just touring around that I haven't spent any real time yet trying to build my foundation skills of estimating the magnitudes of stars and distances etc. I'll start now though, the further I get into this hobby, the more I want to understand and get further into it
Uh oh, I feel my wallet starting to hurt
Thanks for the hints on Antares too everyone. Dobzilla has to be the coolest name for a telescope I've ever heard, and very appropriate for a 25" one
Kind regards
Ant