I'm determined to see the Andromeda at the weekend, and I've seen the Orion nebula with it. Also, Saturn's at it's brightest for the year this weeked I think.
2007-02-06 11:09:32 · 5 answers · asked by Chris cc 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
David A - I do expect many yanks to know all sorts about astronomy, the practice here isn't serious enough. Where would you see people enjoying science and engineering more than most? The USA. Our prices are far too high also.
2007-02-08 07:30:54 · update #1
My telescope is a 200mm Newtonian and for the lowest price (£450) for this scope I am not really impressed. Even if the optics were really good these scopes are unweildy and awkward in the wind.
2007-02-08 07:32:42 · update #2
I assume you have a cool dobsonian mounted 8" reflector. I can make two suggestions. First, visit the site below which has a list of objects that should be visible to you in your scope. Unless you have a go-to system installed you will have to do some star hopping to find these objects, but that will be well worth learning to do. There are a number of open cluster from the Messier list that should be fun to find. You should have several nights of things to see.
Second, see if you can't lay your hands on a copy of the 3 volume set of Burnham's Celestial Handbook. These books will repay you over and over again. They were written by a professional astronomer explicitly for us amateurs. You will not believe the wealth of material these books contain until you get your hands on a set. *All* the objects, variable stars, deep sky objects, double star systems, multiple star systems, open clusters, globular clusters, and on and on and on.
HTH
Charles
2007-02-06 12:34:58 · answer #1 · answered by Charles 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course M-31. But also M-33, and the two irregular galaxies in the Plough (ha, ha...betcha didn't think a Yank would know about that), but I don't recall their designation-maybe M-109 and 110? I'm not certain-they are south of the handle. The ring nebula is within reach, too, as is M-1, the crab nebula. Sweeping across the Milky Way brings dividends, too. Burnhams book is very good, and I second that suggestion.
2007-02-06 13:32:59 · answer #2 · answered by David A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
M81 & M82 are worth having a look at. They're small, but with a long focal length eyepiece you can see them both at the same time. They're also bright enough that you can use higher magnifications to look at the detail.
2007-02-06 22:59:28 · answer #3 · answered by Iridflare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
M81 & M82 are worth having a look at
2007-02-13 09:24:32 · answer #4 · answered by jerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
orions horse head nubula is good try thses.
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2007/04/image/a/
2007-02-12 06:35:41 · answer #5 · answered by Tony N 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋