Easing the frustration

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Decided to ease my frustration with finding things in either one of my telescopes, by simply finding common "sky"marks (as opposed to "land"marks) with binoculars. I trust this is the right forum to post this in.

I got industrious with an old Tasco 7x40 zoom and manufactured an adaptor for a small travel tripod and also found the perfect use for a selfie stick recently won in a competition.

Using what I have learned from reading and referencing Stellarium, I am pretty sure I located 5 very common "naked eye" targets. As quoted in Stellarium, M42 the Great Orion nebula, 47 TUC globular cluster, C96 open cluster, C102 open cluster, and finally C103, the tarantula nebula.

I'm sure I missed some more prominent objects but these are the ones that caught my eye while scanning and I researched. Attached are some snapshots of the set-up I used.

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Some details... need to save the list of things to report when observing.

Date: 05 December 2015
Time: 23:05 - 23:50
Location: my backyard (-33.4292, 151.3169)
Instrument: Tasco 7x40 binoculars
Conditions: cool, no clouds, some humidity
Seeing: very good (IMO, best I've had since starting this hobby)
Transparency: also very good (IMO)


Wouldn't even try to sketch at this point but I could easily make out the prominent edges of the nebulea and stars were pin point and only slightly wavering.

Critiques welcome.

[glend (Glen)]

Hi Kevin, Binos are very useful for observational sky navigation - or 'getting your bearings' so to speak. That's the only useful justification of a 'Selfie' stick that I have seen. Well done.

The past few nights in your location have been clear with good seeing conditions, with one more expected tonight. Now is the best time is be outside each night working on your mental star map.

I don't know if there is a Pony Club outing being planned for next weekend but maybe Al or one of the key holders can advise - unfortunately the weather forecast for this coming week doesn't look good beyond tonight.

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Thanks Glen,

The conditions were excellent considering where I live and the amount of light pollution I have to contend with.

My experience last night has persuaded to focus on using the binoculars to do exactly what you suggest, and get my bearings. Until I work out the issues I am having with my telescopes, which may not be issues really, I am thinking this is the best path forward. It was quite rewarding to use a star chart and Stellarium, to work out which objects I was seeing.

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

With determination, compass, level, and star chart in hand, I took advantage of the spaces in between the fluffies that floated by and managed to get 47 TUC in the telescope view and tracked moderately well.

I have yet to figure out what I did right, mostly because I don't think I did anything different, but using binoculars and star chart, and a somewhat calibrated RA circle, I was eventually able to find my target after roughly 30 minutes of fussing, I did set my DEC wrong at first, 68 instead of 72 degrees.

Is it normal to isolate more detail with averted vision? I found quite a bit of depth could be realised if the object was slightly off centre and you let your eyes adjust accordingly.

Date: 06 December 2015
Time: 22:15 - 23:10
Location: my backyard (-33.4292, 151.3169)
Instrument: Celestron Celestar 8, 32 & 15 mm eye piece
Conditions: cool, some clouds, some humidity later on
Seeing: good (not quite as good as yesterday)
Transparency: also not as good but still had good detail

The cluster occupied roughly 35% of my view with the 32 mm. The denser grouping was to the upper left of centre and the cluster fanned out between 0 and 250 degrees. some stars were distinctly visible with averted vision, otherwise view had a nebulous appearance. 15 mm eye piece simply magnified the same view as the 32 mm, no discernible difference in detail.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

You're getting it, persistence and practice. The averted vision trick gets easier with practice.
I used to make all sorts of settings mistakes when I first started but understanding what was required and practice means I can now be functional in minutes rather than hours.
Doesn't mean to say that the 'gremlins' don't pop up now and then anyway ...

Well done..

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Brent,

If these pesky high cirrus clouds would go away I could get some more practice!