Not a great observing Location in the Galaxy

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 14-09-2007, 11:07 PM

Over time, I have read several articles that have mentioned the fact that we are not located in a very advantagious spot in the Milky Way for Astronomy.

We are very limited on what we can see because we are almost inline with the plane of the Galaxy, causing Sagittarius to block the view of the core of our Galaxy, and that we are out near the edge on the inner side of the Orion Arm, which in comparison to other arms is quite empty.

I have attached images showing where we are located.

Now, copy the images and mark on them where you believe Earth could be to give us a far better observing location. Take into consideration the observations of other Galaxies as well, not just a place to see our own better.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #2 14-09-2007, 11:18 PM

My chosen location would put us a lot closer towards the centre of the Galaxy, but not so close that we would be washed out by light from the core at night. Also, on top of an arm giving views to the adjacent arms on both sides as well as the arm we would be on.

I would have us slightly above the main mass of the arm to give us a clearer view of the adjacent arms, but not too high as to be out in nothingness giving half the world nothing to see. We would also gain better views of distant Galaxies, but the drawback would be that we would see distant Galaxies on only one side of our Galaxy.

The red dots are where I think we would have fantastc views.

davidpretorius · #3 14-09-2007, 11:27 PM

top thinking ken, great thread!

robin · #4 14-09-2007, 11:29 PM

Wow, they're stunning images Ken. Did you take them?!!
BTW...my prefered Milkyway viewing destination would be in the LMC looking back down upon us. That would be truly spectacular

erick (Eric) · #5 14-09-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robin

......would be in the LMC looking back down upon us.....

Your night might be full of Tarantula glow!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 14-09-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robin

Wow, they're stunning images Ken. Did you take them?!!
BTW...my prefered Milkyway viewing destination would be in the LMC looking back down upon us. That would be truly spectacular

Hmmmm, that's a long way to tow our Solar System, Robin.
We would also have the problem of seeing the detail in the Milky Way. It would look like LMC does from here.

But wouldn't Tarantula look spectacular, when it isn't taking over the whole sky!!!!

erick (Eric) · #7 14-09-2007, 11:35 PM

Can we take the sun with us? Don't want to end up near a binary or triple system - might never have a "night" to observe!

I was thinking of locating on the outskirts of a globular - but maybe too many stars nearby.

So you can see where I'm headed - we need to be well away from any bright objects in our "night" sky. So keep away from big nebula and particularly bright stars?

Of course, we opt for no moon, or it we want tides, a very non-reflective moon surface!

erick (Eric) · #8 14-09-2007, 11:37 PM

ps. Not too close to eta Carina, please

A nearby supernova could just ruin your whole day!

robin · #9 14-09-2007, 11:38 PM

I would have thought It would be the best seat in the house, the Milkyway would been very expansive...huge...take up a large swarth of the sky.
Wouldnt we be looking down on it a bit like M31 & the spiral structure would be very apparent??

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 14-09-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robin

I would have thought It would be the best seat in the house, the Milkyway would been very expansive...huge...take up a large swarth of the sky.
Wouldnt we be looking down on it a bit like M31 & the spiral structure would be very apparent??

Yep, you are right about the angle etc, but detail would be hard to see. How about halfway between Milky Way and LMC? Nicer detail of both