How to confirm sightings

[Intergage (Matt)]

Went out for my first time with a pair of low powers binos with a very beginner "star map" and I found a couple of things but I couldn't figure out how to confirm it. I suspect I was looking at the correct thing but they didn't look exactly the same (Didn't expect it to) so I had no idea if I was just looking at a random god damn star and not anything worth while...

If someone can help me here that would be great.. If anything that would push me slightly away from astronomy it will be this.

Thanks in advanced.

[Robh (Rob)]

Matt,

If you use a planisphere, you can get an idea of what constellations are in what part of the sky for that particular time of night. Take it outside and locate the brighter stars. A red light torch is best. If you don't have one, you can put red cellophane over an ordinary torch. Try to form the outline of the constellation in the sky.

For example, if you locate Achernar and the three brightest stars of Hydrus you can pin down where the Small Magellanic Cloud should be and also the globular cluster 47 Tuc. They should be visible naked eye under darker skies anyway. Then you can explore them with the binoculars.

Generally, I would suggest you start out with some bright clusters and nebulae. Using a planisphere in conjunction with a more detailed map of a particular constellation, find the brightest stars and roughly locate where a cluster/nebula should be. You can do this to find something like the Great Orion Nebula. If you have have several clusters in a region, you can identify them by looking at what bright stars are nearby. The bright stars act as signposts. These are what you have to identify first.

Some people prefer to use computer software over a planisphere e.g. Stellarium is free. But you need it on a laptop outside.

Regards, Rob

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

The All Sky Map in the middle of Australian Sky and Telescope magazine is a great place to start. Just hold it overhead, and match it up the stars. That will give you some perspective. Choose a known star or constellation (such as Orion), and use that as your starting point for Star Hopping to all the goodies up there.

[Intergage (Matt)]

God I love this site! Thanks for the replies.

I think I will keep the computer software out of it for the time being and do it off paper (Hopefully will learn more quicker doing it that way)

So I basically have to rely on my own work to confirm what I am looking at?

Thanks for the help!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Once you get the hang of using the Star Maps and learn how to Star Hop, you will be in constant wonder at all the objects you will be able to find.
I really envy you, being at the very beginning of this exciting hobby.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Matt,

Also, check out skymaps.com and download the Southern Hemisphere mapfor the month. Lists lots of goodies to see with your naked eye,binoculars or telescope.

Hope this helps.

H

[astroron (Ron)]

Matt and

If someone can help me here that would be great.. If anything that would push me slightly away from astronomy it will be this.

Thanks in advanced.[/QUOTE]

In all endeavors in life we have to learn to walk before we can run
Take heed of the advice that you have been receiving on this thread and in no time at all you will be at least jogging

I usually have an astronomy night at Cambroon near Kenilworth on the Saturday night nearest New Moon, which this month is this coming Saturday You are very to come along.
Just see Sticky Here
PM or phone me for any other details you require.
Would like to see you here.
Cheers

[Intergage (Matt)]

Originally Posted by Octane

Matt,

Also, check out skymaps.com and download the Southern Hemisphere mapfor the month. Lists lots of goodies to see with your naked eye,binoculars or telescope.

Hope this helps.

H

Is this the map you are talking about?
http://skymaps.com/skymaps/tesms1111.pdf

Also, Astroron thanks heaps mate for the words of enlightenment (Lack of better words). I will most definitely be out there but maybe not this next time but I will be out there I promise. I'm currently checking the above map and trying to figure out how to find the starting point lol..

Thanks everyone for the help!

[Octane (Humayun)]

Spot on, mate. They're the ones.

H

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Matt, finding and studying objects in Binoculars can be very rewarding, but if you are like me it can be VERY frustrating too!

I hate the way they jiggle around making the object fly through the View.
And my arms ache fairly quickly.

One way to make Binocular viewing much easier and more comfortable is to mount the Binoculars on a Parallelogram mount.
If you are handy, you can make one really cheaply.

The advantage of a parallelogram over a normal mount is that the binoculars stay looking at the object until YOU move the angle.

In this way you can look at an object then move the parallelogram up down across or whatever so someone else can have a look and the Binocular is still on the object
Great for moving the binoculars down low for a small child to have a look. The object will still be in the View.

Here is one: http://www.garrettoptical.com/PhotoD...OR-PARAGONPLUS

and how to make an aluminium one http://members.ziggo.nl/jhm.vangaste...ocs/binocs.htm

a really simple wooden one: http://www.shoestringastronomy.com/d...inoc_mount.jpg

and another one by Barry (a member in this Forum) http://www.asignobservatory.com/inde...=article&id=30

How they move: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2uluHEe_GI

and here's one just posted in here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=83123

[Intergage (Matt)]

Originally Posted by Octane

Spot on, mate. They're the ones.

H

Thanks mate, btw... Love the avatar.

ballaratdragons
Thanks heaps mate, I'm not too much of a handy man but I did build my own stedicam for my camera so yeah..

I am also trying to figure out a way to mount my Canon XH A1s (72") fixed lens onto my scope to film.. This will be a DIY job as well.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...106111336.jpg/