(Viewed 987 times)

[Mark Ross]

Backyard observer with obstructed views but still like seeing what I can. I live near the lake so I have a good clear and luckily unobstructed view straight east. I have been enjoying 10:30 viewings of Taurus, Aries, Triangulum, Andromeda and pleiades(counted 21 stars) after the kids are in bed. Looking forward to Perseus finally clearing the 3 story apartment building next door (that is blocking my ne view) at a reasonable hour. I am amazed that with my simple equipment I can see 4 moons of Jupiter.

I also have an unobstructed view to the west but there is the brightest street light in chicago at the sw corner of my garage in the alley. In addition the view west over the city and suburbs always seems so much hazier and harder to see anything. With the light and the smog I had a really difficult time over the summer trying to see all the stars of Hercules even using binaculars.

As a total amateur I will be lurking around on the boards looking for tips and information and perhaps posting some simple questions.

Mark Ross
High School teacher - Chicago

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Hi Mark...

Glad you found your way to the Chicago Astronomer and for your first post.

Many are under the false impression that urban astronomy is folly and you must drive out 100 miles to see any celestial objects.

As you have been discovering this is not so.

I plop down my C11 right off my garage - with blazing alley lights - and still caught the surprise Supernova of this past summer. Most objects are within the grasp of modest telescopes.

I encourage you to join the Chicago Astronomer crew in our observation sessions, bringing what ever equipment you may have.

[erikruud]

Welcome aboard!

[patrickm]

Greetings and welcome! I am always amazed at what we CAN see in the city much more than I am (usually) annoyed at what we can't. With tiny bit of knowledge, even cheap gear, and a ton of patience and perseverance, we can pry many mysteries from the heavens, as Astro Joe likes to say. Please do contribute when you are able and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most people on here don't bite! Hope to meet you in person sometime soon.

[Paulie pchris00]

Hello Mark. As the resident Hoosier I enjoy slightly darker skies than my friends in the city, but more often than not, I'm in the city observing with the Chicago Astronomer crew. It's a good group, and worth fighting the lights to hang out with friends. I struggle a bit at our public star parties because I'm used to seeing more stars, but at a private session and no pressure to find things NOW, NOW, NOW, I think I can pull in many of the objects I see in darker skies.

As Joe said, he saw the M101 supernova from his alley observation spot, and Patrick and I found Comet Garradd under intense lighting in his neighborhood.

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Observations&action=display&thread=3344

Come out to one of the CA star parties, and please post whatever questions or comments you have.

[magic612]

Mark - welcome! There's plenty that can be seen under light polluted skies, it just requires looking at the right kind of targets, and at the right times.

Galaxies / faint, diffuse nebula - usually hard to see
Globular clusters, some open clusters, double stars, planetary nebula and planets - usually much easier to see

Don't be afraid to ask questions - we're glad to help!