Quote:
Originally Posted by Intergage
Just a quick question about these maps though, when it says "Mag. +0.0." where is Mag. +0.0 in relation to where I am observing?
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Magnitude is a measure of the brightness of an object.
zero is a fairly bright object (eg the bright star Vega is magnitude 0.0)
The higher the magnitude, the fainter the object.
Brighter object go NEGATIVE (eg The apparent magnitude of the Sun is -26.74, and the mean apparent magnitude of the full moon is -12.74.)
Naked eye can generally see to about Magnitude 6 depending on conditions and other light sources effecting your night vision).
In New York their limiting magnitude for naked eye may be as low as 2.
Obviously using binos or a scope will increase this (ie you will be able to see fainter objects - objects with a higher apparent magnitude number)
Hope this helps
al