scarp15

If like me, you consult with your star charts during a deep sky session and require magnification to scrutinise and roam through the details, a magnifying glass can be a useful tool. However this can often become a frustrating task. my modest sized old glass magnifier will mist over and when straining to gaze at details using a dim red torch, there is a quite narrow view point, requiring much manoeuvring of this fairly heavy magnifier across the pages. I use a magnifying glass on dark sky trips, sometimes left and used in the car, sometimes kept on my compact camping table, thin ice may form on the cold glass lens, which is doubly frustrating because I also have to wear reading glasses. Well I thought that I would give this a go; Fancii Optics Jumbo Magnifier, a large 5.5" view finder, light and comfortable to hold with built in optional three LED's (would be feasible to nail varnish red) batteries not included. It has 2X 4X 10X built in lenses. It has a flat distortion free surface and with a lovely wide vision. My initial impression is that this is indeed distortion free, has sharp clarity of features and the broad vision will be highly beneficial when scanning across pages such as the Interstellarum atlas, it is also comfortable to hold. I am not so sure that I will use the lights and persevere with my dim one LED head torch, we'll see come this winter. I had tried a wider magnifier purchased from WH Smiths, which was promptly returned due to a wobblily distorted view. This model however has raving reviews, recommendations on-line and is on offer on Amazon for £15.99. There are numerous mostly positive accounts, critically based on my perspective, a reviewer who uses this for gauging fine detailing on Ordinance Survey Maps and highly recommends. As it is a resin and not glass surface, perhaps it will not mist over quite as abruptly. Anyhow it comes complete with a micro cloth and a cloth storage bag. Therefore - if like me, you favour using paper charts when out stargazing and also just like me, have at times a memory like a sieve in so far as recollecting where each target will actually be when star-hopping, if you require a little magnification then this might be useful. Of course I am yet to trial this for real on a dark sky trip but would like to non the less share. Also, assuming that if at times, you do not always or ever gain info from your phone or another device, good to hear how you get on / cope with paper charts such as in the depths of winter in the dark. Here are a couple of pictures indicating size.

Lawnmower that's a new one. Fabulous location and report Stu, the joker card paid off. Low cloud over Sagittarius is a bit frustrating (also had encountered this myself at the weekend), yet a very successful session and particularly interesting and descriptive contrast between the 14" and later, wide field set ups on the Veil. We had a holiday at Saundersfoot a few years ago, a favourite with my Wife who used to go on family holidays there. Walked much of the Pembrokeshire coastal path, took along 10.5x70 binoculars that I used from our apartment balcony that overlooked the sea, still remember M11 in particular composed in the expansive starfield. Lovely profile picture with you set against the milky way.

Good read Damian thanks for compiling, the procedure comes back to you in an instance even when after a long period of inactivity. As you describe, becoming reacquainted with the relaxing peaceful surroundings, a meteor streaking past and how often, due to conditions, do we get to yearn thinking 'I left wishing for more'. Quite acknowledge it would be hard to compare with your autumn trips to Skye, although more often that not, as you say, just good to get out. Considering higher ground sites to avoid dew and the threat of midges a sound plan.

Aperture on this subject is completely valid of course and yet there many more considerations, some as mentioned in your report Neil. The very first attempt I made to look for SH2-91 to be honest I was a bit clueless, research is everything. Equally exact positioning, the use of a high quality OIII filter such as Lumicon (former / traditional or recent improved version), multiple successive repeated attempts, patience, complete concentration etc. Exit pupil, eyepiece, dark adaption and following a period for observing faint / very faint nebulae - which makes your visual responses much more sensitive, averted vision. Most of all, knowing that something is there. Perhaps one error by some, is an expectation that this super nova remnant, will be just a bit fainter than the more famous one. Then of course Cygnus has to be high, transparency very good and SQM-L readings of perhaps at least 21.3 mag. It is helpful to sometimes have someone to actually verify what you are seeing. Then however it really does commit you to concentrate and then consult with SGL friends to frame a sense of what may have been encountered. The great thing about this is that each time we go out there, we are always learning.

There are definitely aspects for other features / parts that constitute for the Cygnus Little Veil that are detectable and as Gerry has implied, the sand and stars link is a good reference. I have grasped the Little Veil in my 8" F6 dob, this though was based on becoming familiar after a succession of attempting to observe it in my 14".

I was looking forward to this next report Neil, that is quite a wholesome session to complete a productive observing period. Great that you were able to explore the Sagittarius region and to provide descriptive informed content for each region and subject. The challenges, well what can I say, that 10" dob, your observational skills, patience determination are paying off. The way you have described approaching Sh2-91 implies that you have registered this and if you gain any more opportunities this season, next season, in similar transparency conditions, that faint line of disturbance could extend a little. Anyhow really good read. I ought print out a copy of Mel Bartels Veil sketch to.

Very determined effort in that comet chasing session Michael. Interesting that you'd gained some success, but as you imply requiring full observational capacity to have a sense of conviction. A useful reference if anyone else is out there considering looking. The murk certainly did hang low, in my hill top location to, good vistas from a lofty vantage point, though not unlike your session at the sounds of things, switching to seek other objects as part of a plan B,C, D whatever became necessary. Of course there is always something stimulating, familiar or otherwise to look for.

Cheers, it was a peaceful location, getting a scope up there would have been awesome, it was a considered effort to get the binoculars, monopod etc along and carrying 3 litres of water (although I did find a water course later on for a filtered supply). I had anticipated taking some sky meter readings, not worth it this time, I have more similar planned trips, possibly at least taking a refractor for the winter period. Still learning my way through the dark nebulae tables, they are great for binoculars, observing at a dark sky location. Should have included B139 along with B138 in Aquilla, which also connects into B137.

Carter Bar marks a high point on the A68 at the border between Scotland and England. There is little there save for a carpark with a large rock inscribed with Scotland and England on their respective sides and seasonally a piper glad in a kilt, who would as though from nowhere appear and start to play his pipes, just as the next coach load of smart phone clicking tourists transcend onto this view point. My destination, as I left the 'flesh pot' of this border post was to hike four miles to reach a remote and seldom visited hill that straddles the England, Scotland border. Pitching on the Scottish side, with a welcome light breeze, I awaited anticipating a good night of binocular observing astronomy. My aim this evening was to explore Aquila and some of the dark nebulae of this region, also to employ using filters to gain the nebulae around Sagittarius. The clear sky forecast was frustrated by wispy, patchy cloud but as darkness was setting in, Jupiter and Saturn both shone brightly. Saturn was a surprise as I was quite certain that I could just make out the rings. I checked the profile on Stellarium to confirm, never before seen or expected to see the rings of Saturn with 15 or 16x 70 binoculars. Sat at ease on a camping stool and with the binoculars mounted onto a monopod, I was able to make out M22, M25 and M11. Further along, the murk was evident due to cloud and nebulae observing in this region unlikely. Cygnus though began to command above and darkness revealed a clear bright milky way through this region. Brocchi's Cluster, an asterism known as the Coathanger was bright and entertaining. Higher up into Cygnus and leaning against the concrete trig point that I was camped next to, I traced the large gaping profile of B144, Fish on the Platter, the dark nebula quite apparent, the fish feature escapes me. Moving downwards to Aquila, I was able to frame B142, B143 known as Barnard's E. This dark nebula was indeed darkly etched and makes for a very fine binocular subject. Drifting across, I picked up the long curvature of B138 that feeds into B137. Other dark nebula forms were sighted in which I need to research as to yet confirming their identity. Cloud continued to frustrate and so I swung towards Cassiopeia, locating the dazzling Double Cluster and Stock 2 cluster. From there I drifted across for Kemble's Cascade but was hidden behind cloud. The sky deteriorating, I had to stop at 11pm, Later from my sleeping bag, glancing outwards with my binoculars to look at the lunar crescent. I seemed to spend the rest of the evening, evicting spiders, they were everywhere, of all shapes and sizes, an entomologists idea of heaven perhaps. Here is a picture for Barnard's E by Jeremy Perez of Belt Of Venus, a comparable view with my own. Below that, I have included a picture of my location. Thanks for reading.

Yep, sorry for dropping that one in, but I am contemplating a trip myself onto the Scottish border. These are heather moors and I will aim to reach high ground, wild camp. Still need to determine what equipment to take. Yep my experience too is that the N/E isn't as midgey as the NW. However a good few years ago, I did a long hike in to climb Ben A'an, wild camping unable and unwilling to leave the confines of the small tent, eaten alive a near certainty. I too get some bad reactions, anti-histamine tablets help a bit. Still deciding what equipment to take, but I will be taking mosie net, summer weight gloves, smidge. Look forward to hearing about this Gerry.

I guess the main consideration, late August into September, northern Scotland, would be to become located somewhere that might pick up some night time breezes. Swarms of stars will soon be diminished replaced by another kind.

Good report and pictures, these small refractors become so addictive.

Good report, there are possibly a few on here that will re-emerge following a lengthy period of little insightful observing to contribute much towards. The forum does keep you interested though. The moon is starting to rise a little bit later on and here we have a bank holiday weekend forthcoming and whilst I wont hold my breath, reasonable clear conditions are forecast (just need to say that quietly).

Yes, there is also this account below, but in arid dry conditions, much more challenging for us and as Gerry had mentioned in another thread, not to waste too much time in pursuing it, http://sandandstars.co.za/2017/07/26/cygnus-other-snr/ It is looking potentially good for over the weekend, moon is still up a bit too soon but hope to get out and look forward to your next dark sky report.

Good to learn that your observatory is coming along Gerry. I think that I understand John's comment, you would understandably have had expectations in comparison over the 15" capability, yet clearly as you have descriptively conveyed, those expectations may have been succeeded, surprisingly so, particularly if not at very good levels of transparency. Look forward to further reports.

Good comparison and comprehensive detailed accounts Neil. The season has begun, that is interesting in your assessment for using the narrower field / less glass element plossl for the Crescent, I will note this and try this out, when the time arrives. So far it has just been home for myself, some double star hunting following a spate of relatively pleasant evening opportunities, though itching to get to dark skies. Just to add, that is a fair outcome for your first grasp at the Little Veil, if you get a chance just keep going back to it, maybe it will start to make sense - though of course we are waiting for Gerry's 24" dob observational description.

Music is nice to have on, when journeying to a dark site, whilst setting up and later when journeying back home. However during the session, I prepare silence and to get 'in the zone'.

Congrats on that small success, it can drive you nuts, setting up promise of clear sky, cloud, light rain, therefore take the scope indoors, look out 30min later clear and dark.

Perhaps the weather forecasting, which we are all of course hopelessly at the mercy of, will indicate if to consider chancing being located either east or west. The convenience of your reachable dark sky 'scratching ground' might therefore be more reasonably attractive, as east may tend to favour slightly more clear sky periods perhaps. Incidentally could be very worth while investing in a Unihedron SQM-L device to take along to any dark sky observing session. If transparency is good, a frequency of (correctly taken) readings, will convey an accurate assessment for actual sky brightness as determined by the time you are actively observing. Also useful for gauging comparisons at different locations.

The Andromeda group is a very good target for someone starting out to explore, yet will require time gaining familiarity with the characteristics that this subject will visually convey. Observed at a light polluted site, M31 will mostly just be a brightish central core with some indication for extended haze. At a dark location, with good transparency, it is completely transformed and as many have already mentioned, is a fantastic binocular object to observe. The vast expansive haze revealing subtle hints of dust lanes outstretch the field of view from a wide field observation in a variety of instruments. It can become comparable with images and not at all golf ball only in resemblance. Hand held binoculars with a steady posture are fine, mounted onto a monopod better, it is bright and a good subject for newcomers to look at if at an astro society dark site, along with M32 and M110 in or near to the same field of view.

Many open clusters are determined as small and hazy, which become more resolved at high power. Perhaps jiggling the scope a little might assist to determine whether you are focused upon a cluster. Averted vision at high power assists to resolve some of fainter clusters into collective stars. Noting and checking your position, referencing a sky chart would ascertain to confirm which cluster you have located.

Oh dear sorry to hear that, turned out to be not so good here to, although surprisingly encountered a perseid. Consoling to think that at least you tried but not much fun when faced with more than an hours drive home. There is of course always the next time...

TV-85 set up in the yard, almost but not yet dark enough. Meant to be clear skies N/E following rain showers earlier. Could chase a few doubles, dressed up perhaps involve donning my thick pullover.

Experiencing, chopping and changing equipment can became a necessary part of the course that will lead you to realising with some clarity what works for your own approach. Maybe also good if you could see some equipment at a starparty or similar. It might be logical to just sell, alternative could be to consider making a new dob mount for your 10" flextube. Seasoned ply is a better material and lighter, removing all the heavy features such as motor etc for a simplistic nudge to approach. This may be a little too problematic as I am not aware if the scope tube has goto fixtures attached. I had a 12" manual flextube which was fine, the manual version in 10" would be better, perhaps as suggested second hand OOUK versions are quite easy to manoeuvre.

Great session, congratulations upon resolving the propeller, very good SQM reading.