Galileo Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 I had the pleasure to meet members of Wolverhampton A.S. my new astro society at the weekend where we were lucky to have a couple of clear nights. I did my usual imaging but the best part of the weekend for me was sharing some time with Richard a visual astronomer. He used a big dob without any goto capabilities and I was astounded how he could find almost any object by star hopping and some good old fashioned star charts, his knowledge of the sky was amazing and he kept a record of all his observations. Most of the time galaxies were merely smudges but to actually see them with my own eyes holds a unique attraction and made me realise that I missed visual and decide to do some myself. I saw ;- M42 Leo triplet Owl nebula and M106 M51 M81 and M82 So thank you Richard for that experience. Also it was -6c that night and we managed to trip out the electric about midnight because wee all had heaters going so it was quite an uncomfortable night after that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 Interesting. I've always been a visual observer and usually starhop rather than using a GOTO. I did jury service once in Wolverhampton. I was also in neuro rehabilitation for three months in Wolverhampton. I could often see stars out of the hospital room windows lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 I’ve used goto mounts for several years but started out with my Dob. I never really mastered star hopping and am awe of those who do. Still a dark art to me 😂 Sometimes I think goto is cheating but it soon passes. Great you have found a local group. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul Posted April 5, 2022 Share Posted April 5, 2022 I star wobbled with my trusty 250mm on an *EQ5* long before I added motors. Sharing nights with my, then, young kids to see Moon craters, Jupiter, Saturn, M13 and M57 are great memories. Adding motors at least kept things in view for a while and started me on the imaging path. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galileo Posted April 5, 2022 Author Share Posted April 5, 2022 Thank you for interesting viewpoints folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
len2376 Posted April 6, 2022 Share Posted April 6, 2022 I think we have diverted a bit from the original post but I do find the comments interesting. It never ceases to amaze me how with modern techno we can polar align and plate-solve our way around the sky without even seeing it. Hats off to those who do it all with the MKI eyeball! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted April 7, 2022 Share Posted April 7, 2022 I definitely agree about planispheres! ROTFL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 7, 2022 Share Posted April 7, 2022 Years ago I bought a Patrick Moore book that came with a planisphere. Then I was over in the USA and bought another astronomy book that also had a planisphere. I thought one can never have too many planispheres. This was in the days before mass computers and tablets of course. Then more recently when I dug out the USA one I noticed it had "To be used in latitudes from 28 North to 40 North". I bought it in New Mexico which is around those latitudes! Well as I live in 53 North it was totally useless. You live and learn 😄. I found the Patrick Moore one and it was tuned to the British Isles. I still don't use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.png.b25a6f26f627feca9d18699dbfd80148.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.