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scarp15

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Everything posted by scarp15

  1. I hope so, its just concerning with the extent of forestry fires in Canada this year.
  2. I think that Gerry @jetstream would be a good contributor into this, though had not heard from him for a while.
  3. IC 434 is too impacted by the glare from Alnitak to distinguish it from the background. B33 when glimpsed, is a velvety black thumb print around the same size as M1 (which is a good subject to observe prior to this). If you wish to attempt to observe a diffuse nebula within this vicinity, then try for NGC 2023, nothing amazing, a small reflection nebula around a dim star and close to the position of B33.
  4. A 5" scope is inadequate, at least for all but the most experienced observers and in optimum circumstances. A reasonably dark sky is also inadequate. My first encounter was whilst out with an astronomy society that I was a member of a few years back. At their dark sky site and using I think at the time my 12" dob (though could had been the subsequent 14" cant remember), using a 25mm TV plossl eyepiece and excellent Lumicon H-beta filter. Anyhow an experienced observer positioned accurately the field of view through the plossl (keeping Alnitak out of view) and declared that it was the best view that he had seen of B33. He implied where to look and a grasp of what to expect / see, yet could I or another member see it - no, not a chance - we were clueless as to what we were actually looking at, or to be more precise how to look at it. As experience and attempts developed, I eventually did see it and grew accustomed as to how to see it. Therefore comprehending exactly what you are trying to look for, employing averted vision, becoming fully dark adapted and spending a prior period looking at faint DSO's are at the very least what is required. Having the optimum equipment, under very dark skies (at least 21.1 mag) in excellent transparency and when Orion is nearing its southerly position are necessary requirements. If or when you do encounter it, you will know, as credible drawings that you would have studied before hand from experienced observers will acknowledge this. It is a eureka moment and accomplishment but from a visual perspective there almost nout there. Just to conclude, this topic comes up almost year on year most often tin the Observing Deep Sky section (not in beginners observing), packed with info and general personal experiences. A more delightful subject with a H-beta filter and low power wide field eyepiece at around this time of year, is the California nebula.
  5. Will do nice on the winter clusters and should be easily transportable.
  6. Good report for observing a comprehensive range of seasonal and emerging subjects. A worthy night to be venturing to a dark sky location, by which it looks like, as mentioned above, a decent spot.
  7. Yep just after midnight and Great Red Spot swinging clearly into view 200x; 6mm Delos doing proud.
  8. No transit action, yet good presentation tonight (22.15), as Jupiter transits south. Detect barge activity in both NEB and SEB regions. Temperate belt and Polar regions visible. Responding to 171x - 200x, 8" F6 dob, pouring a Guinness, then back out for more.
  9. There is notice of another potential Aurora Storm this Saturday / Sunday.
  10. Just come in after a spectacular Jupiter session. Perhaps following the storm, the air was clean and the seeing steady then the lingering patchy clouds dispersed. Surface details were dynamic with the GRS emerging, several barges within the belt regions, Temperate belts and the Polar Regions also sharply defined. Much later the southern region was an incredibly mottled grey shade. It was great to be able to follow the passage of the GRS and then much later still the start and early stage following the Europa shadow transit. The imposing black dot imprinted clearly along the Southern region. Just an awesome and enriching night to be outside with the telescope and with Jupiter at opposition, still buzzing and its 02.10 am. Eyepiece of the night again was the 7mm DeLite (171x), for its outstanding image consistency.
  11. Looks good! 'Can it be true', yeah my thoughts to, particularly after the battering and drenching of Storm Ciaran. Have the VX8L dob out, had been undercover not trusting the weather, but Jupiter is shinning bright and will be emerging from behind the chimney pot soon.
  12. Yet conversely, it is ironic that if fortune had it that you did get a good night out observing, all of those notions just melt away and you get to thinking hmm maybe I'd like to include this or that - for next time. However it has been rather grim and uninspiring a lot of the time. It is definitely a pursuit that requires a mindset that this is for the long game, or to put it another way, occasional, by which having other hobbies and interests on an equal footing is necessary for your free / leisure time.
  13. Didn't get to turn in until after 2.30am. Two consecutive early Sunday mornings observing Io's shadow transit, has been very reviving and particularly following storm Babet. The shadow transit was very pronounced, also could just make out the GRS, SEB distinct and traces of NEB, lots of detailing interest within the belt regions. 7mm DeLite was probably the best overall of the night at 171x, although for a good period, 200x and up to 240x worked well to. Lovely too, to watch the blueish disc of Uranus glide across and even caught an occasional Orionid. Deep sky objects observed included Andromeda and M34.
  14. Jupiter has cleared the chimney stack and is looking good ready for another Io transit. Currently using the same set up as last weekend; VX8L - F6 dob and 18mm DeLite, that will step up to 10mm Delos and probably a bit higher. Also a Baader Neodymium filter. Time for a coffee.
  15. Might come across as superficially 'charming', but a lust for greed and environmental criminality is apparent. Stronger effective licencing, the same as that being introduced into Scotland is essential for England. Better still an outright ban.
  16. You've got Halloween covered then. Seriously though I used to keep mine covered, though with clear plastic (airport ski bag) covers and despite being relatively dust free in the room, was surprising how much collects. For aesthetic reasons I don't bother now, just ensure of course that caps remain on.
  17. Bicycles yes; telescopes no. A warm dry smoke free environment i.e. inside the house.
  18. Reported that the Moorland Association Director has been convicted today at Skipton Magistrates Court. Three counts of burning on deep peat on Middlesmoor Estate grouse moor, Nidderdale. Moorland Association Director Ben Ramsden convicted for burning on deep peat on Middlesmoor Estate grouse moor, Nidderdale – Raptor Persecution UK
  19. Great report and descriptive insight into encountering looking through a desirable selection of large aperture dobs. Personally that's probably the best solution, particularly if you have a smaller vehicle. Combined with set up time etc, perhaps something like a 10" dob conveniently transported across the backseat, with an ease of set-up is a good way to become incentivised to venture to darker skies and that will still, in that circumstance, reveal a lot.
  20. That's an interesting conundrum. Of course no reason, if you have the time n' patience to dismiss indecision and set up two or three side by side for some observational comparison. That would make the most of a snatched opportunity - in-between our succession of named storm systems that is.
  21. It can feel like that and not just with astronomy equipment. On Saturday night it all seemed to come together, cannot even recall the last time out. A clear crisp night, Jupiter was the primary focus and a very late engaging shadow transit. No commitments, no distractions, illness, no work the next morning etc, setting up was great. Regrettably I sold my 14" dob recently but practically it was time to let it go, however following Saturday night; no you don't have too many scopes (or eyepieces...) because a good or great night maybe just around the corner.
  22. Good to hear of your time and succession of targets observed at Kielder Star Camp and that the two core nights were on the whole agreeable for stargazing. Yes hospitality around there is great.
  23. The RSPB quite correctly are actively making a case for strengthening licencing regulation concerning the practice of Muirburn; the burning of heather on peat moors on UK commercial grouse moors. I will not go hiking on these nature depleted almost desert like landscapes and would certainly not set up a telescope near to one around this time of year. https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/nature-s-advocates/posts/licensing-driven-grouse-shooting-the-case-for-change
  24. Having patiently been waiting for a view from my backyard, also currently observing the Io shadow transit. A crisp profile through an 18.2mm DeLite, set up with VX8L.
  25. Completely, having other activity interests such as cycling n' hiking, which logically is a day time pursuit and not so weather dependent, has entirely overshadowed any notion for getting out stargazing (the weather being typically poor in the evenings or usually when preceding a non work day). However I am not entirely sure that it is necessarily about rekindling a passion, as so much about pursuing an aspiration. Therefore this approaching winter, there are certain objectives that I shall endeavour to pursue and that retains if not a resounding passion, then at the very least an interest.
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