Why so few observation reports? - Page 3

ngcles · #41 29-09-2009, 10:14 PM

Hi Rod,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

... The one situation in which I wish I had Servocat is when I am showing the sky to newcomers / members of the public. I need to adjust the scope between every observer to keep the object in the FOV, and this can become very tiring over the course of an evening. It would be nice to train the scope on a target, and know it is still pointing at the object 20 minutes later!

I am interested in pursuing double star measurements in the coming years, and an thinking about getting an astrometric eyepiece. I suspect at that point getting Servocat may become necessary so that I can make accurate measurements with a stationary object.

Fortunately the exchange rate with the US has improved somewhat in the past 6 months. When I was last looking at Servocat prices earlier this year, I think it was going to cost me close to $4K to have it fitted to my dob. That is a lot of bucks to blow just to get tracking.

Yep it is a tremendous boon for public outreach nights for the reasons you cited. I bought one because all my Newtonian reflectors for the previous 15-odd years had all been GEM mounted with a drive and the switch to non-tracking for me was a constant irritation. In finding difficult things (in particular), I tend to do quite a bit of back and forth to the map or photo etc to make sure I'm in exactly the right spot and I'm identifying/seeing the correct object. With a non-tracking telescope, this is much harder than one that tracks. The big value for me, as I mentioned before, is that a drive lets me see deeper. I've no doubt on that for my part -- it's like bolting on another inch of aperture.

One of the other really neat things the servocat does is the spiral search pattern. Yes it's good for finding things that maybe a bit out of a medium-power ep field. But, let me tell you there is no better way to see the LMC than to centre it with the 26mm T5 and hit the spiral search. You will spiral further and further out for about a minute and cover about 3 degrees and it feels like flying ... really super let me tell you. About 5 spirals and you can "fly" through the whole cloud in about 15 mins -- great fun.

If you are going to do some astrometry (measuring double stars) then a drive of some sort is an absolute essential. But even with a drive, you will find it hard, hard work with an alt-azimuth mount. Separation is easy to measure but PA will be ... testy -- at least ?

Yes the exchange-rate is doing the right thing at the moment for us. Good time to buy. If you are worried in any way about tackling the job from a technical point of view, (as I would be too), I can put you in contact with someone from my club who has now successfully installed 5 servocats and will do the job very professionally for a modest price. Lemme know.

Best,

Les D

astroron (Ron) · #42 29-09-2009, 10:30 PM

A breakdown of one page of the observing report forum from 01/06/09 to 24/09/09 is
Posts 30
Read 5784 people
Replies167 to 25 post's
No replies to 5 post's
So it show's they are being read but very little comment.

DavidU (Dave) · #43 29-09-2009, 11:48 PM

Ron, it's because these threads are so well done, methodical and accurate it's not funny. You fellas have done this for 20-30 years? It's very enjoyable reading the reports, however when I read them I am in awe of the detail so what can we say?Imaging is one art, observation is another.
Please keep up the reports.

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

A breakdown of one page of the observing report forum from 01/06/09 to 24/09/09 is
Posts 30
Read 5784 people
Replies167 to 25 post's
No replies to 5 post's
So it show's they are being read but very little comment.

astroron (Ron) · #44 30-09-2009, 01:41 AM

David, thank you for your support.

CoombellKid · #45 30-09-2009, 05:59 AM

Being a single dad myself, I know just how you feel. Raising a son from more or
less baby stage, it wasn't until he was 18 months to 2 years old before I found
the time and energy. By that time I started setting up a bed in the back of the
car. That lil fella followed me everywhere like a third boot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goober

By the time I wrestle the little bruiser into bed, I'm literally asleep myself

But you've inspired me... I'll fire up the Apo and get back into it. I do miss it.

glenc (Glen) · #46 30-09-2009, 06:53 AM

Observers are a dying breed, most people are imaging now.
I thought about imaging but didn't like the cost and I like to see lots of objects in one night not just image a few.

I avoid writing observing reports because they ruin my night vision.
When I do I like to use code like:
Brightness: vB or B or mB or F or vF (m is moderately)
Size: vL or L or mL or S or vS.
Concentration: 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 (high to low)
Sometimes I record audio comments, I must try it on my MP3 player sometime.

The worst thing about the Caldwell catalog is the renumbering of the objects.
I see there is a book that uses both Caldwell's list and one of mine. http://www.taurus-tech.com/ImageCat.htm

stephenb (Stephen) · #47 30-09-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngcles

.... I think you're right Jeff, if you find taking notes etc etc detracts from the experience then the solution for you is simple -- don't take notes! This is a hobby after all and it should be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Its not a competition or a matter of "if he/she does it I should too" -- its a matter of what you or anyone else for that matter finds enjoyable and enhances the experience of being under the stars -- yes?....

I think that sums it up for me. This is a hobby, full stop. Nothing more, nothing less. I have far more important things in my life which take up my time, the most important one being my family. I even have other hobbies which also take up time and money, including microscopy and model railways, and they are just as enjoyable. Sure, I'd like to have a bigger and better (and more permenant) setup, perhaps an observatory etc, etc. but in the end my enjoyment comes from setting up the telescope on a free evening and doing a bit of star hopping to a few DSO's which I have not before viewed.

I used to use a mini cassette recorder, and I did do some brief sketching, but like many have said, that detracted from just enjoying the session.

Perhaps all that does not put me in the catagory of a "serious observer".

Don't get me wrong I fully respect all those imagers who pump out spectacular shots, but that's not for me.

Perhaps down the track I'll post some observation reports here, however rough and ready they are.

Thanks for a great thread, everyone.

goober (Doug) · #48 30-09-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

Don't get me wrong I fully respect all those imagers who pump out spectacular shots, but that's not for me.

It may not be useful, but do you know about this link here?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/getnew-noimages.php

It returns all new posts in the forums that aren't in the Images section. It filters out all that "noise"

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #49 30-09-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngcles

Hi Ron & All,

Well folks do we agree by our collective efforts to lift the profile of this sub-forum? Or, are we going to let the astro-imagers have it all over us?

Best,

Les D

I too, look forward to seeing more activity. If this thread encourages people to use their 'scopes and enjoy the hobby more, then that's a great result. I hope no-one avoids asking questions - there is a wealth of experience on this site. As I said in one post, I am on a learning curve myself, and value the comments and reports of more experienced observers.

WoodR · #50 01-10-2009, 01:10 AM

G'day all (I couldn't resist that), I'm new here and this is my first post. I have a small observatory in rural Arizona, USA, am a rabid Mars observer, and I hang out on Cloudy Nights a lot (some may recognize my avatar).

I just want to say that it's completely unacceptable that you in Oz have Mars directly overhead at the best oppositions, and that all the best stuff is in the southern sky where I can't see it. Something must be done about it.

I hope to post a Mars opposition or two here soon for your amusement.
- Rick

pgc hunter · #51 01-10-2009, 08:26 AM

I've found that even on Cloudynights there seems to be a relatively small number of visual observers, there aren't many observing reports being posted. Stargazer's Lounge seems to have the most active visual observer contingent, they even have several subcategories for planetary, deepsky, widefield observing, reports etc. Lots of reports being posted there.

Paddy (Patrick) · #52 07-10-2009, 11:20 AM

It's been a month since I last had the scope out - being away, clouds and then the full moon have prevented my indulging my addiction. What joy to have an unexpectedly clear night and an hour between twilight's end and moonrise.

Mindful of this thread and also http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=50694 , I thought I'd try using my mobile phone to record some observations, preserving night vision by keeping one eye closed to start the recording. Alas, the phone put out too much light when held next to my ear to be useful. So it's off to the shop to get a dictaphone.

What was very interesting was the effect on my observing of thinking about what I would write in an observation report if I was going to post one. I became far more detailed and methodical in my observing, noticing much more than I normally would. So these threads have already been very helpful to me and I plan to do more recording of my observations and post some reports. I also worked out how to suspend a red light from my finderscope which I hope will make doing some sketching easier.

Many thanks for these 2 threads and all the ideas in them!

Outbackmanyep · #53 08-10-2009, 07:05 PM

You know what, if people started "SEE" what they're observing and not just "LOOKING" it can open up another avenue! DISCOVERY!

Could you imagine sketching a galaxy one night, coming back to it 3 months later and finding a "NEW STAR" poking out from it?? SUPERNOVA!

If more people not only wrote down what they saw but kept that record to check it against the same object days,weeks or months later they increase their chances of discovering something! HOW EASY!?

The 5 minutes it takes to DRAW an object.....could lead you to something big!

Why not take the time to make Variable Star measurements, EASY PEASY, and you'll be adding to a database and be recognised for your efforts!

So keep that in mind also when out observing!