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Anyone into Astronomy?

Mercury · 181 · 9175

us Offline Mercury

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #60 on: April 16, 2015, 04:36:30 AM
I also love this thread and I really want to see it keep going.   Let's see who we can get to join!


and we should totally petition for a telescope merit badge!

« Last Edit: April 16, 2015, 04:38:33 AM by Mercury »
Sean


nz Offline zoidberg

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #61 on: April 16, 2015, 07:38:16 AM
I take bribes.  :whistle:


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #62 on: April 16, 2015, 08:17:39 AM
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline Mercury

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #63 on: April 29, 2015, 02:16:30 AM
Update!!


I'm up to 27 on my Messier count, having added 4 Globular clusters yesterday including the Great Cluster in Hercules. 


Yesterday wasn't very good for Galaxies due to the massive reflective ball of rock and dust in the eastern sky.  So I hunkered down and ruined my night vision staring at the moon for awhile.  I really need a moon filter, it's blinding!


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #64 on: April 29, 2015, 02:33:07 AM
Congrats!!!! We've had lousy weather for the last two weeks...maybe one clear night.
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #65 on: May 02, 2015, 07:05:21 AM
Was out walking the dogs an saw a very bright meteor (bolide) to my NE...the Eta Aquarids are coming up so maybe it was associated with it.

It was so bright it started dogs and coyotes barking/yelping across the field.
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #66 on: May 03, 2015, 11:45:29 AM
I have seen countless bolides but two of them lit up the sky, made noise (or seemed to) and left a vreat trail. Unforgettable experience. Of course the Russians get the best of that stuff usually.


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #67 on: May 03, 2015, 06:33:23 PM
Current observing gear....
view 2.JPG
* view 2.JPG (Filesize: 122.47 KB)
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #68 on: May 03, 2015, 07:20:53 PM
Very nice. What direction are you observing from this patio?


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #69 on: May 03, 2015, 07:27:21 PM
Very nice. What direction are you observing from this patio?

Thank you.  The porch faces East.
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #70 on: May 03, 2015, 07:30:52 PM
Have you clearance to the right (South)?


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #71 on: May 03, 2015, 07:47:24 PM
Have you clearance to the right (South)?

No but just out in front of that porch (about 45 yards are so) is a flat 17 acre hay field that has a 360 degree view. My cousin and I used to go out there back when we had scopes.....nice views under relatively dark skies with the only worries being coyotes, wild hogs and stray dogs. We usually had a 22 pistol handy so no problems.


Here's a 2 part pic of that field from the gate.
field 1.JPG
* field 1.JPG (Filesize: 34.31 KB)
field2.JPG
* field2.JPG (Filesize: 49.77 KB)
« Last Edit: May 03, 2015, 07:51:44 PM by SAK Guy »
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #72 on: May 03, 2015, 07:54:39 PM
Very nice. And Texas should be reasonably dry I guess.


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #73 on: May 03, 2015, 08:12:34 PM
Very nice. And Texas should be reasonably dry I guess.

Spring can be wet, summers usually dry.
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


us Offline Mercury

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #74 on: May 04, 2015, 04:18:54 AM
Luna is so dang bright tonight that I can't even make out more than primary stars in any constellations. 


I don't have a moon filter so moon viewing is pretty harsh, but I might get out there and check out some craters tonight. 


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #75 on: May 04, 2015, 04:31:24 AM
Luna is so dang bright tonight that I can't even make out more than primary stars in any constellations. 


I don't have a moon filter so moon viewing is pretty harsh, but I might get out there and check out some craters tonight.

Off axis filter?

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:W9Cmojk8dUkJ:www.cloudynights.com/topic/475487-off-axis-moon-filter/+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
« Last Edit: May 04, 2015, 04:36:15 AM by SAK Guy »
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #76 on: May 04, 2015, 07:55:22 AM
Luna is so dang bright tonight that I can't even make out more than primary stars in any constellations. 


I don't have a moon filter so moon viewing is pretty harsh, but I might get out there and check out some craters tonight.

When the moon is full, observe it with naked eye or binoculars and enjoy the 3D effect, seeing it as a globe.
When the moon waxes and wanes observe it, focusing at the terminator and enjoy the shadows of mountains and craters. You may  also see the planets then and the brighter DSO's such as double stars and clusters.
When the moon is less than 1/2 or didn't rise yet or dived under the horizon, observe all kinds of DSOs.
When the moon is new, it's time to Star Party!


us Offline Mercury

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #77 on: May 04, 2015, 03:00:34 PM
Yea I really like using my binoculars on the moon, they work great for that.  I might pull out the ol moonmap tonight and see what I can identify.


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #78 on: May 18, 2015, 04:52:20 PM
For my observing light had a Gerber Ultra red LED light but can't find it. Found 2 like new ones for 12.50 ea. on the bay. Will put one in each bino pack. My old one was an Ultra M (milspec) with a little dimmer output.

Red LED.JPG
* Red LED.JPG (Filesize: 28.2 KB)
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #79 on: May 18, 2015, 06:48:55 PM
I have some red lights but I bought red heat resistant filter and put it everywhere, inside my car, on solitaires, head on lights etc. Cheap, simple, versatile, supreme.


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #80 on: May 18, 2015, 07:12:01 PM
Cool! I just like those Ultras and have 6 or 8 of them scattered around here. Small and burns a long time on one AA. These will go into my two bino bags along with a 4 pack of AA's. I used to use one of those Issue GI angle head army lights with a red filter but it was completely unreliable....the contacts would foul just sitting around with no batts in them. I had to clean all the contacts before each use.
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #81 on: May 18, 2015, 07:33:19 PM
Update: I ordered another binocular pair, the Canon 12x36 IS this time.


us Offline Mercury

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #82 on: May 19, 2015, 06:14:26 AM
Very nice bino's kkokkolis!!!


I haven't had a clear sky in over a week.  Tonight is no exception.  I might head out a little later to see if it's cleared up but I doubt it will. 


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #83 on: May 19, 2015, 07:59:40 AM
Very nice bino's kkokkolis!!!


I haven't had a clear sky in over a week.  Tonight is no exception.  I might head out a little later to see if it's cleared up but I doubt it will.

+1 Nice pair!!!!!!!!!

We have had close to 17" of rain in this county in a month....very few clear skies.
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #84 on: May 19, 2015, 08:53:16 AM
Here it was the most humid and rainy Winter and cloudy Spring I remember in my life. But binoculars can be targeted everywhere, that's why I focused on them lately (I bought all my four best in the course of this last year). And I deliberately started with small ones, the ones that can used for birding and hikes and travel. After another 8x32 I'll see the mini giants, where Fujinon and Nikon SE rule.


ie Offline Don Pablo

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #85 on: May 19, 2015, 09:14:13 AM
Hi all, mind if I join the group?

I am in Ireland, where we get lots of clouds. The good thing is, when the skies are clear, the seeing is usually good.  :)

My brother has a Celestron travel scope 70mm, and I think that I use it more than him.  :D
Its not as good as your telescopes, but plenty good enough to see shiny mountain peaks juusst beyond the terminator of the waxing moon.  :) (you know what I am talking about, right?)
I've seen all four of Jupiters moons too, and made sketches of the moon, which I am still learning to do. :)
« Last Edit: May 19, 2015, 09:15:20 AM by Pablo O'Brien »
Hooked, like everyone else. ;)

All hail the hook!


gr Offline kkokkolis

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #86 on: May 19, 2015, 02:45:47 PM
Welcome in. I can relate an O'Brien with clouds but mental imagery puts Pablo under the hot Iberian or Latin American sun.


us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #87 on: May 19, 2015, 03:53:48 PM
Welcome Pablo!! :tu:
- Robert




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"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears


ie Offline Don Pablo

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #88 on: May 19, 2015, 04:26:40 PM
Thanks all.  :)

...mental imagery puts Pablo under the hot Iberian or Latin American sun.
Lol, it can't be that bad there.  :o
I know what Iberian sun is like, and this is not it.  :rofl:
Hooked, like everyone else. ;)

All hail the hook!


us Offline Mercury

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Re: Anyone into Astronomy?
Reply #89 on: May 19, 2015, 08:27:12 PM
Welcome to both MTO and the super cool MTO Astronomers group Pablo!!  Sounds like you are making good use of that 70mm.  The best scope is the one you use right? 


 

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