Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jul 9, 2004 0:36:07 GMT -6
I set up the scope facing East in preparation for an evening of intense sky watching. Yesterdays night skies were excellent, but this evening was not up to par. It was a bit hazy and transparency was not that good. But regardless I focused on the Summer Triangle area. The night was comfortably cool, and I spent the session in just a tee-shirt. The crispness of the night air was invigorating.
I couldn't target any nebulae at all. I tried to catch some indication of M57, but it was not to be. So I went on searching for my favorite star patterns. I always enjoy spotting three pair of Binaries. The first, One Yellow and the other blue, off to the north of Deneb, I believe they are called "Delta Lyrae 1&2" The color contrast between the two is remarkable and evident in binoculars. I used a low power eyepiece in the scope and they sparkled like gems.
The other yellow and blue pair are Northwest of Altair and in Sagitta - a & b. Much closer together, but still separate enough to discern the color difference. The last is of course is Epsilon 1 & 2, just off to the Northeast of Vega. The Double - "Double star system. I did not attempt to split them this evening, as seeing wasn't that good. And they were getting too high to comfortably view.
Another favorite is a perfect line of six stars from a Northeast to a Southwest pattern, just about halfway in between Vega and Altair. By the center and to the right of the line is a semi circle of more stars. I don't know the name of this formation yet. But a bit of research will tell all. It is quite an unusual straight line out of random stars...or is it?
It was now about 11:30 pm and the Summer Triangle was getting high toward zenith, and out of the comfort zone for my scope. I am the unfortunate owner of a EQ mount for my reflector, and as we all know, straight up...although the best seeing...is not good for EQ mounts. Banging against the tripod legs, then attempting to rotate the tube, then lowering the height of the scope......I just said forget it, and put it away for this session. My next scope will NOT have a EQ mount. I like the simplicity of a fork mount. Up down & side to side.
Overall, it was a pleasant couple of hours, with the night chill, my maps and red light. The only thing is I got these damned street lights beaming their unwanted focused photons directly into my face and my instruments. I place barriers to exclude the light, but I ain't happy.
I should have just shot out the street lamp during the fourth of July celebrations.
I couldn't target any nebulae at all. I tried to catch some indication of M57, but it was not to be. So I went on searching for my favorite star patterns. I always enjoy spotting three pair of Binaries. The first, One Yellow and the other blue, off to the north of Deneb, I believe they are called "Delta Lyrae 1&2" The color contrast between the two is remarkable and evident in binoculars. I used a low power eyepiece in the scope and they sparkled like gems.
The other yellow and blue pair are Northwest of Altair and in Sagitta - a & b. Much closer together, but still separate enough to discern the color difference. The last is of course is Epsilon 1 & 2, just off to the Northeast of Vega. The Double - "Double star system. I did not attempt to split them this evening, as seeing wasn't that good. And they were getting too high to comfortably view.
Another favorite is a perfect line of six stars from a Northeast to a Southwest pattern, just about halfway in between Vega and Altair. By the center and to the right of the line is a semi circle of more stars. I don't know the name of this formation yet. But a bit of research will tell all. It is quite an unusual straight line out of random stars...or is it?
It was now about 11:30 pm and the Summer Triangle was getting high toward zenith, and out of the comfort zone for my scope. I am the unfortunate owner of a EQ mount for my reflector, and as we all know, straight up...although the best seeing...is not good for EQ mounts. Banging against the tripod legs, then attempting to rotate the tube, then lowering the height of the scope......I just said forget it, and put it away for this session. My next scope will NOT have a EQ mount. I like the simplicity of a fork mount. Up down & side to side.
Overall, it was a pleasant couple of hours, with the night chill, my maps and red light. The only thing is I got these damned street lights beaming their unwanted focused photons directly into my face and my instruments. I place barriers to exclude the light, but I ain't happy.
I should have just shot out the street lamp during the fourth of July celebrations.
