Grump Martian

Below is a link to an explanation on how a smaller galaxy The Sagittarius Dwarf has periodically collided with the Milky Way galaxy. I became aware of this after watching an episode of The Universe with Brian Cox. He explained that a collision between two galaxies would not result in the destruction of solar systems as there are emense gaps between the stars. The Saggitarius galaxy circles the Milky Way and has collided three times over millenia. This has left a trail of debris or stars. The first collision several billion years ago. Brian knows this as he was there to withness the first collision. I am now left scratching my head. I tell you why, I always thought that the band of light arching across the zenith of the night sky in the Summer as seen from a lovely dark sky was our home Solar system's galactic spiral arm. But I now as a result of watching the programme I think that it is the trail left by the collision. Or am I wrong and now confused. Please help a lost inhabitant of the outer reaches of the Milky Way. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Gaia/Galactic_crash_may_have_triggered_Solar_System_formation

Thankyou Dave for this.I was astonished at how light the Tak refractors were when I handled one at an Astrofest one year. My Starfield 102 mm is very easy to handle. But I have sold instruments on in recent years that were long and heavy. This was due to discomfort caused by injuries.

Hi. It looks traditional and fantastic. I once had an ED 120 and an Explore Scientific 127mm. They gave great views but were quite heavy weight wise. I understand that the Taks are a lot lighter for similar sizes. Would you agree?

My own ED 102 F 7 refractor or an eight inch Dobbo. Both size and weight wise encourage frequent use. If a permanent location was available then the skies the limit. Details regarding the picture below; Telescope builder Mike Clements poses in front of the massive 70 inch wide mirror at the heart of his giant reflecting telescope. Credit: Steve Dodds

There's something to be said for naked eye obseving in a true dark sky site. Even my Opticrn 8 x 40 binculars have given me some exceptional views in Dorset and South Wales.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64731286 A BBC link to a story about a dark sky site in Wales. Great, but not sure that the sky will be clear when I visit,lol. The night skies in my area in South Hertfordshire are disgusting. Light pollution have rendered them very poor.

I will keep searching for Barnards Loop while it rises Stu. Looking forward to The Veil when it rises. Thanks

I guess that's correct.

I will pbtain the H-beta filter. When next in Dorset I will try with the ST 120 and ed 80mm. Thankyou for all for the advice. It will be a test of my observing patience

Barnard's Loop is an emission nebula in the constellation of Orion. It is easy enough to resolve the Orion nebula M42 with 4 or 5 inch telescopes. But who has resolved the outer nebula in Orion known as the Barnards loop? Even in a dark sky I have not seen it using my 4 and 5 inch refractors. Other dark sky objects such as the veil nebula and similar have not been seen by me. I would imagine a 12 inch or above would be best.

So sorry to hear of the damage. I wish you well and hope that you get it rectified satisfactorily

They do look spooky Scousespace cadet

Using my ST 120 on an AZ4 mount last night to observe the visiting comet. The silhouette was shown on a white painted garden wall. Illuminated by a light on the footpath.It reminded me of the horizon scenes on older planetariums. Has anyone else managed to capture a silhouette of equipment in use?

I am a local Councillor here in Broxbourne. I am raising awareness of light pollution. Also in discussion with my colleague Councillors and officers. It is now scheduled for debate at an environment meeting. The hope is that we can add light pollution as a consideration for large commercial planning applications. We need to get intouch with our local borough and county Councillors aswell as writing to our MP's As mention in previous posts on this topic. It's not just for dark skies and astronomy. But light pollution has a detrimental effect on the health of people and animals.

A year or two back, Venus was a delight to observe. It must have been higher up and away from roof tops. Not sure which direction it is traveling this time. Wheather it will get higher. I will take a look at the planetarium.

I live in Cheshunt, just North of the M25. It has become impossible to enjoy visual observing most of the time. The pictures give some examples of light polluted skies from where I live. First looking east towards Essex. The second shows the cemetery across the road with the settled snow just before Christmas. It was 3.00 a.m. and as bright as the day. The third shows the results of a local business that insists on blue neon lights. And with more commercial development may well get worse.

I observed Venus earlier. Well the view was very poor in both of my refractors 80mm and 100mm. No resolved shape to it's phase and yellowy colour. Is it me or have others experience this. It may be because it is still too low.

Total collapse. Could not resist

I have the Starfield 102 mm f7 from FLO. A fabulous refractor. I also have a matching Seymour white light solar filter. The views of Sol are great. Get one.

Thanks for the heads up on this book. Now on my birthday list. I love the photo of Aldrin being allowed to take his pipe to chew on it during Gemini mission.

One thing I did notice was Houston continually ensuring all was go, the pressure on Armstrong must of been huge. Definitely the right stuff. Hi Astroscot2. I just loved hearing all of the interaction from mission control "Go,no go" was a common phrase. I have a cd by the music group "Public Broardcast Service" It's called The Race for Space. It mixes their music with news commentary about space missions and mission control audio. The track Go is the best with the then flight controller Gene Krantz calling Go no go. And then when Apollo 11 landed he cries out Stay, no stay! Great albu.. look it up.

I am watching a documentary on Youtube. "Apollo 17 Remastered (50th Anniversary)". I'm sure that it can be found on other channels. It tells the story of Apollo 17's three day stay in The Taurus Littrow region of The Moon. Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt really tested their endurance and the capability of their equipment and especially the Luna rover. The longest traverse in the rover was was 20 km and the greatest range from the LM was 7.6 km. Imagine that distance relying on relatively untried technology. Harrison Schmitt was the only non military pilot to travel to the Moon, being a geologist. Of course astronaut Ronald Evans should not be forgotten. He bravely piloted the Command module spaceship alone. NASA cancelled Apollo missions 18, 19 & 20. Just imagine what may have been achieved if these missions had taken place. I remember as a 12 year old watching the live tv transmissions. The excitement expressed by Harrison Schmitt when he discovered orange Luna soil which proved that there was volcanic activity at some point in the Moons history. I am now studying my Luna atlas so as I can better appreciate what I am seeing while obseving the Moon. If you like spectacular Apollo mission photographs take a look at a book called Full Moon by Michael Light. The picture is from this book. It shows the Apollo 17 Luna module two miles away. Would the astronauts have been able to walk back if their rover had failed?

Yes I’m sure we had a Grumpy Martian before. Easier if people just used their real names. I am the original Grumpy Martian . I have rejoined. It's good to be back. Using my real name Martin does not express how miserable and grumpy I am😁😁

I have submitted my header name and made a mistake. I submitted it as Grump Martian. It should be Grumpy Martian? Any help would be welcome.