Measuring time against Barnard's Star

[josefk]

There was a small article in Sky & Telescope in recent months that planted the seed and then a little bit of discussion on here (that i now can't find to post this there). Anyway on Saturday night/Sunday morning i started my observing session off with a bit of fun and some reflection on our brief period flying through space on this rock... 😂

This is the position of V2500 Oph, Barnard's Star from our POV at 00:05 [BST] on the 24th June 2024:

I sketched it in two star fields because i wasn't sure at the time which way it will move against them over the coming years...

Using SSP to mess about with time it seems this 2nd star field or FOV is the best FOV for further tracking in my lifetime:

I stopped at age 70 not because i'm a pessimistic  fellow but because i will probably not be using the TOA passed that birthday unless its permanently mounted and so my "benchmark" FOV will be different LOL.

Edited June 24 by josefk

[Epick Crom]

Interesting exercise Josef, you have inspired me to give it a go too 👍

All the best with your project!

 

Clear Skies 

Joe