Whats your favourite constellations for observing ?

StarGazing (Alex) · #1 13-01-2010, 10:27 PM

Hi all, just wondering what your favourite constellation is for observing ?

Mine has been Carina for a while. Lots of clusters and nebulae to look at

.

Alex.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #2 13-01-2010, 10:51 PM

Carina has always been my favourite Alex.

I even bought a star in Carina

Cheers,
John B

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #3 14-01-2010, 04:44 AM

Orion Nebula, because it is the only one I can see from my light poluted back yard.

spacezebra (Petra) · #4 14-01-2010, 07:51 AM

Ophiuchus is my favourite - lots of globs.

Cheers Petra d.

Liz · #5 14-01-2010, 08:46 AM

OOooooh, thats tricky ... lots bful constellations to look at, but I suppose that the one I find the most goodies in is Centaurus .... but Leo has some great 'easy to find' galaxies ...

HolyWars · #6 14-01-2010, 08:58 AM

From my light polluted back courtyard I am limited to what I can see in terms of mag and direction. Best for me is Crux/Centaurus from here.
I cant see any nebulosity in Carina from here which sucks.

Carina rules though out in the country....also I love Orion.

lacad01 (Adam) · #7 14-01-2010, 08:59 AM

Bit tricky but would probably single out Scorpius

el_draco (Rom) · #8 14-01-2010, 09:03 AM

All of them. Everywhere is different and I find it impossible to pick a favourite. Areas of the sky you initially think are bland end up offering serious challenges that match the delights of hunting in the clouds or exploring the home galaxy.

ngcles · #9 14-01-2010, 12:03 PM

Hi Alex & All,

Oooh that's a tough one!

Based on the stats in my log book, I'd have to say Virgo was my favourite. With a +12" 'scope there are just so many galaxies to see there but I'd also add Carina, Centaurus, Sagittarius, Dorado, Leo & Coma Berenices.

Even after all these years, I still haven't emptied Virgo (or Leo & Coma) -- not by a long shot.

Least favourite?? I'd pick Hydrus -- one of the sky's most arid deserts while Pictor, Octans and Equuleus are close behind.

Best,

Les D

Rodstar (Rod) · #10 14-01-2010, 01:37 PM

I am a huge fan of Centaurus. It has so many different classes of objects and is so well placed in my sky, where to the south I am pretty much facing national park.

I also love Sagittarius, Orion, Dorado, Carina and Crux.

Unfortunately Virgo, Leo etc are so effected by the lights from Gosford that I only really get the chance to enjoy them under dark skies.

JimmyH155 · #11 14-01-2010, 01:52 PM

My favourites?? Scorpius, Carina and Orion.

Unfortunately any stuff to the north is stuffed up with trees.

Rob_K · #12 14-01-2010, 02:08 PM

Hmmm, favourite is a pretty subjective term. My favourite is... well... um... Musca. There, I've said it, the dirty little secret's out. Somehow, every time I have the scope out and Musca's observable, I'm drawn to it. I just have to look at the two globular clusters there.

It's such a nice, neat (except for the indentation in one corner - why is that there??), uncomplicated constellation (Dark Doodad aside), hanging off one side of the cross. There's not much else there other than a couple of little PNs and a couple of small OCs...

In terms of objects, it's pretty hard to go past Sagittarius/Scorpius, especially with a small scope. Galactic central, that's where it's all happening!!

Cheers -

goober (Doug) · #13 14-01-2010, 02:51 PM

I'm with you Rob... I always look at Musca. It's my "dark sky" test to take a quick glance at sky conditions. Centaurus is my favorite though, and Crux/Musca are framed by it (sort of).

StarGazing (Alex) · #14 14-01-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mswhin63

Orion Nebula, because it is the only one I can see from my light poluted back yard.

LOL ....... It gets like that at times, I feel for you

Cheers all, great to hear what everyone has to say.

orestis · #15 14-01-2010, 04:37 PM

Hi Alex,
I've got to say that my favourite has to be Orion two reasons,
1. The orion nebula was the first nebula i ever saw
2.The orion nebula looks absolutely stunning under dark skies!

Carina is pretty awesome but i have to agree with rob sagitarius rules theres just so much to see there.

Orestis

Manav (Yugant) · #16 14-01-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

I even bought a star in Carina

Hang on a sec, you can buy and name star? How does this work? Is it officially recognised? Wow!

Rob_K · #17 14-01-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manav

Hang on a sec, you can buy and name star? How does this work? Is it officially recognised? Wow!

http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/star/

Cheers -

Rodstar (Rod) · #18 15-01-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manav

Hang on a sec, you can buy and name star? How does this work? Is it officially recognised? Wow!

Yep, but just wait until they start levying rates....and if exoplanets are discovered, the rates will skyrocket....

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #19 15-01-2010, 10:15 AM

I would pick Centaurus, it has just about every class of object you could wish for and is favourably placed in the sky where Lismore's light pollution is least evident. Carina very close behind.

el_draco (Rom) · #20 15-01-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_K

http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/star/

Cheers -

This is a rip-off. Totally unrecognised.

Only the IAU has the "authority" to name a star.... and even thats a bit ego-testical IMHO.

Fancy arriving at your newly purchased star to find the "locals" already own it.... Terran invasion...

now thats a twist on a theme if I have ever seen one

No, wait a minute.... haven't we already tried that on this planet???