DSO - anything to spot?

[doodlebug37]

Hi all, very new to all this but enjoying it all the same. Just a simple question really, where and what is a nice DSO for me to have a look for? I'm on limited equipment, 650 focal length refractor with 20mm and 10mm eyepieces. What else is worth investing in?

Cheers,

Dale

[Astro Imp]

At the moment the nearly full moon will make most DSO viewing very difficult and washed out. Wait a day or so and have a look at M42 in Orion's sword before the moon rises.

I have just popped in for a cuppa and spent half an hour on the Auriga Messiers. (M36, M37 and M38)

Don't know where to find anything? Download Stellarium a free planetarium program:- http://www.stellarium.org/

Have fun and good luck.

[mister_wavey]

There are also a number of websites and books which list great things to seek out. 'Turn Left at Orion' is very good for a starter book.

[RichM63]

M45 (Pleiades) are hard to beat as first targets.

[chris_suffolk]

I use turn left at orion - very good book, but only black and white diagrams, and sometimes hard to follow. Can't beat stellarium on a phone, and even managed a free version from somewhere, whilst the play store wanted to charge - free on a PC though

[ghostdance]

If its clear where you are, why not check out Comet Lovejoy? It's to the right of the Orion constellation at the moment and, if you have binoculars, is easily seen as a misty patch with brighter core. Not a DSO, but hey, it's a comet! That alone makes it worth seeing

[gnomus]

If its clear where you are, why not check out Comet Lovejoy? It's to the right of the Orion constellation at the moment and, if you have binoculars, is easily seen as a misty patch with brighter core. Not a DSO, but hey, it's a comet! That alone makes it worth seeing

That bag should be "polyethylene", ghostdance.

[ghostdance]

That bag should be "polyethylene", ghostdance.

Thanks for the correction.... You're dead right! Silly me.....

[Dave In Vermont]

I use turn left at orion - very good book, but only black and white diagrams, and sometimes hard to follow. Can't beat stellarium on a phone, and even managed a free version from somewhere, whilst the play store wanted to charge - free on a PC though

I'm a bit confused here. Do you mean that some shop wanted to charge you money for Stellarium? If so - you should notify the good people who build and maintain it. It is freeware and is for distribution absolutely free. FREE! Anyone trying to capitalize on Stellarium is in a universe of trouble.

Stellarium is one of the very best star-charting / planetariums available anywhere. And absolutely free:

http://www.stellarium.org/

One of the develops is a member here. His name is Alex Wolfe, and he's a very nice person who is always happy to answer any questions people have.

Clear Skies,

Dave

[gnomus]

Thanks for the correction.... You're dead right! Silly me.....

I got ya.

[gnomus]

Hi all, very new to all this but enjoying it all the same. Just a simple question really, where and what is a nice DSO for me to have a look for? I'm on limited equipment, 650 focal length refractor with 20mm and 10mm eyepieces. What else is worth investing in?

Cheers,

Dale

Don't miss the Double Cluster in Perseus.  I second the open clusters in Auriga.  If you like these then this might be helpful - http://users.skynet.be/fc219947/openclusters.html

Have you looked at Albireo?  That might get you interested in some double stars  - http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/pretty-double-stars-for-everyone/

There is I think a small fee for Stellarium for your iPad or Android.  For the PC, however, Stellarium is a free download (as Dave pointed out).  A terrific program too.  

If you want a different book recommendation, why not have a look at 'Nightwatch'.  I have both 'Turn Left ...'  and 'Nightwatch' - they scratch slightly different itches.  

[nicoscy]

I'm a bit confused here. Do you mean that some shop wanted to charge you money for Stellarium? If so - you should notify the good people who build and maintain it. It is freeware and is for distribution absolutely free. FREE! Anyone trying to capitalize on Stellarium is in a universe of trouble.

Stellarium is one of the very best star-charting / planetariums available anywhere. And absolutely free:

http://www.stellarium.org/

One of the develops is a member here. His name is Alex Wolfe, and he's a very nice person who is always happy to answer any questions people have.

Clear Skies,

Dave

Dave,

Probably referring to the app for phones, not the desktop software...