scarp15

Yes it is quite fascinating and this news broke a few days ago. Yes it was an amateur archaeologist that deciphered this Lunar calendar writing system and whom fortunately was able to collaborate with a team of academics from Durham and Cambridge and prepare a scientific paper. Makes so much sense and fascinating that this context concerning a system for timing the reproductive cycle of animals was conceived 20,000 years ago.

Here is another article. 

 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/05/amateur-archaeologist-uncovers-ice-age-writing-system?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR06UXUpxmH31IvyPRI3UbQNhc7VY_CYFNnpAKvQsaig_osC6vXO7kwaSPs#Echobox=1672919534

3 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

Nothing can describe the awe of sitting at the eyepiece watching Io transit across Jupiter. Anything else would feel secondhand.

The simplicity of that scenario and a nip of whiskey. 

26 minutes ago, Paul M said:

Joking aside (you were joking, weren't you? 😇), that too is a valid observational experience. 

Perhaps though, in this age of shared experience, it's easier to share an imaging session on a forum such as SGL than to share a visual observing session. I do like to read accounts of someone's night at the eyepiece but they tend to be "wordy".

An image speaks a thousand words!

 

Aye that's true Paul in terms of good images, good sketches; can speak a thousand words.

A good written presentation report evokes a narrative, a kind of story telling, conveys an atmosphere as well as an analysis. Statistical and rational content can be exchanged and shared with others. Therefore conversely, a good written report can convey a thousand images.  

Backyard visual astronomy can quite profoundly differ to trips to dark sky sessions. For the later; complete dark adaptation is a fundamental necessity and enabling much lower power / larger exit pupil focal lengths, determined by specific subject characteristics of course. Therefore screens are definitely a no go. Conversely certain suitably selective targets observed from a typical garden / yard setting, may enable very high power oculars to be employed. Then there is everything in-between.

The complete joy of visual astronomy is capturing; seeing (and learning to see) extraordinary encounters in real time.  

It looks excellent, look forward to Pt. II

John, whom has not posted for some time, would refer to dedicated visual observers, expanding their experiences encountering a broad range of observational subjects; as ocularholics; to which he was openly one.   

There is logic for having available multiple types of eyepieces at multiple focal lengths for particular conditions, circumstances and subjects. It can take years to gradually build, chopping and changing on the journey; the 'dream team' perfect set-up. 

Yes three may do, of course at a pinch, but for dedicated visual observers who do not dabble at all in imaging, focusing all their session time on observation - not likely.

There is always an itch for one more. 

Out in the yard with the 'big-un'.

Mars was captivating the Syrtis Major, Sirus Sabaeus, Hellas region sharply distinct, even Grace my daughter came out to take a look. Interacting between 10mm Delos and 7mm DeLite. Good clear sky, therefore will take a look shortly for M1 and M35.    

Mars was indeed exquisite tonight, albedo features shapely defined within the Mare Erythraeum, Nilacus Lacus regions, up to 4mm DeLite, 8" dob, Neodymium filter. Later on, nice look at the Auriga clusters. 

Following Mars at opposition last night. 

Following snow flurries earlier, a canny night observing Mars, now at opposition. Accepting high power in the 8" dob, the Hellos region at least was quite detectable.  

Perhaps the best filtration, is to observe when there is thin haze enveloping the surface. Equally, becoming patient, comfortable and relaxed taking full advantage of steady seeing periods, that may often be sporadic and at fairly short interludes. Applying differing magnifications to ascertain which 'pops'; to gain the most satisfying and crisp image on a given evening.

Recently I started to use a filter again for planetary observing (having not done so for several years). Baader Neodymium, 2" version thus permanently attached to light path in focuser, for frequent switching between eyepieces. It provided pleasing impressions of Jupiter, accentuating subtle surface features a touch and some initial time spent on Mars; hopefully more so later next week with improved conditions. The contrast is slight which I quite like, retaining a still bright naturalist impression.

Certainly I enjoy cold weather observing, it is definitely a preference, for those crisp clear skies, under winter constellations. Often my concern is the approach to my dark sky observing sites in my average commuter car, when winter has gripped. 

Approach to clothing is very standard in terms of layers, that includes an outer very warm down filled smock with through hand warmer pockets. Gloves invariably have to come on and off, the deep through pocket, a boon for retaining dexterity in preventing otherwise numb finger tips. Head gear includes a fleece neck gaiter that can also be pulled up over my nose, a variety of warm fleece, wool and down filled beanie type hats. Feet: thick merino wool socks and my four season hiking boots with good insulated soles. Then a flask of coffee; almost as important as remembering to take the telescope.  

Have considered pocket hand warmers but too much of a faff. Also I use an observers chair with a foot rest, therefore keeping my feet off the colder ground for periods, standing on a mat, or carpet off-cut might also provide a little extra insulation. 

Just caught the final stage of tonight's Io shadow transit afore the cloud swept in. 

The Merope Nebula; discovered using a 4" refractor by German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel and previously referred to as Tempel's Nebula. Interesting that the Merope Nebula is considered to be part of a separate interstellar cloud, by which the cluster is passing through.  

To observe this nebula on a clear dark transparent winters night, may require a succession of patient observation attempts, to take regard to a fluctuation of transparency conditions, to which it is highly sensitive. A low power wide field ocular, perhaps employing an exit pupil of between 4mm - 6mm and of course condensation free. Subtle yet visually comprehensible, it is strikingly quite vast presenting a clarity of profile. 

As Stephan has mentioned, for a particular challenge there is also IC 349, known as Barnard's Nebula. A very tricky subject, to which I might try again this winter. Here are some details  The Merope Nebula and Its Well-Kept Secret - Sky & Telescope - Sky & Telescope (skyandtelescope.org)

Then there is Mel Bartels Pleiades Bubble as regarded in his sketch. 

A late start pursuing Jupiter as it edged south. In the vicinity and quite easy to locate is Neptune, lovely to observe as it glides across a wide field eyepiece. Jupiter was accepting high power; South Temperate Belt region prominent, as was the hazy North Polar Region. The Great Red Spot revealed just before taking back inside the 8" F6 dob. 

Do you have a i.e. Rigel Quikfinder or Telrad or similar fitted to your 200p, quite necessary, in conjunction with a Right Angled Finder Scope for star hopping. As mentioned above, Andromeda is a credible target presently. 

A quick update concerning the Baader Neodymium filter. Circumstances are not as good as the previous night, the SEB is less distinct and more washed out.

Using the 8" dob and 7mm DeLite; 171x eyepiece, the presentation, prior to installing the filter, was fine, yet there is a discernible improvement when the filter is applied. That is to say that the SEB became slightly more accentuated, a hint of banding within the South Temperate Belt and tonal contrast within the North Polar Region visible -  for moments spherically speaking, becoming quite 3D! It is quite subtle, yet at around this mag and aperture there is a benefit.  No false blue colour tint apparent and just as with my previous session, the GRS is not currently on display.

Without expanding on detail (within this beginners section), it is perhaps not suitable to all eyepiece types, i.e. number of glass element composition could have a bearing upon how effective this filter is, in drawing out detail and enhancing features. 

3 hours ago, Stu said:

Nice session, must have been interesting comparing the two views. I’ve always found the Neodymium to work well on Jupiter. The times it has not been a benefit have been at very high powers eg x300 on Mars, but at usual Jupiter mags it does seem to be a benefit.

Thanks Stu and yes it certainly seems to be a useful tool to have. At mid to low power with the TV-85 it responded well to, yet primarily it will be used with the dobsonian(s). I was eager just to get on with the session last night (had to wait until around 11.30pm for Jupiter to come into view - for using the dob) therefore did not arrive at an assessment based on with and without the filter, which I ought probably will do tonight. I might also try it on certain deep sky objects, the low contrast could place value, for example on subjects such as the Iris Nebula in Cepheus, I understand that a Lumicon Deep Sky Filter, if the Neodymium has similar characteristics, is considered to be credible on this and amongst other selective objects. 

1 hour ago, Philip R said:

 

I find the neodymium filter gives a subtle pale to light blue tint when viewing Jupiter. Do you ?

Didn't notice any image distortion in terms of colouration. Perhaps there is a tendency depending on atmospheric conditions to create this tint? Perhaps might also be determined by the characteristics of differing particular eyepieces, optical train. I used the 2" filter, enabling a frequency of exchange alternating between mid - high power focal lengths mostly of the same range (DeLite, Delos) reaching 240x before settling back to 171x, with no noticeable irregular tint.

Likely will be out again tonight, with the dobsonian and will begin without the filter therefore will report back, initial impressions though are favourable.   

Two's company, pleasant night interacting upon Jupiter. 

Tonight I used a Baader Neodymium filter applying it to both my refractor and 8" dobsonian. The GRS was fading from view by the time I was able to observe, although began to remerge much later as I was calling it a night. The South Temperate Belt region in particular I felt was enhanced and I liked the natural subtleness of this filter. Needless to say it pleasingly responded to use in the dobsonian, particularly with a 7mm eyepiece at 171X. The colours of the primary belts were striking, the zone regions in-between, perhaps a little more profiled as a feature and I could detect two barges in the NEB. However I was alternating between each scope and used a 6mm eyepiece in the refractor, which without the filter was also providing superb views, in terms of pronounced and colorful banding, including within the South Temperate Belt. Did not make a comparison in my dob, as the filter was fixed onto the extension tube and I did not want to remove it. Maybe tomorrow night though.  

As mentioned above by Astrobits, making an aperture mask for one of your dobsonian's would be an interesting consideration. I made one for my 14" dob and it stops down to F11. Also as mentioned, a small i.e. around 3" refractor is tantalizingly easy to set up and take out (not that your other two scopes necessarily aren't) and 'punches above its weight' in terms of sharpness, contrast, detail and atmospheric conditions, with less cooling time. I do quite like the comprehension for just a mirror reversal and not the full inverted image as with a reflector.  

Maybe a used TeleVue 85 or something similar, with change to get a tripod / mount should one come up. Highly versatile, great on the subjects that you propose and complementary to your two dobs.  

Currently 12, spanning 3.5mm all the way to 41mm. 

59 minutes ago, Sunshine said:

Amazing! great to hear you are charged up about it, it must have been awesome!

A period of sharply defined seeing, distinctly revealing banding in the South Temperate region, festoon activity in both North and South Equatorial Belts and the hazy North Polar Region discernible. Next time, I ought have the 8" dob out for comparative interaction.