How do you folks determine the visual magnitude for any given night while viewing? I see from time to time someone saying that the viewing was a magnitude 6.3 or whatever and am curious how you can determine this to whole numbers or even decimal places.
Star Magnitude
Started by proteus, 06/27/2006 01:47AM
Posted 06/27/2006 01:47AM
Opening Post
Posted 06/27/2006 11:47AM
#1
Joe
I select a constellation that is reasonably overhead at the time and regularly check which stars I can see using a printed star chart. This gives me a relative feel for what the conditions are for that night. For example Cygnus is an excellent constellation for that purpose. There is a very nice range of star magnitudes present. However, it is not available all the time, thus other constellations must be used. In my case, if I can see all the stars in Ursa Minor, that is a great night from my house. It is fun finding an using this technique. It adds to the nighttime enjoyment and develops a greater appreciation for the delights of an amateur astronomer.
I select a constellation that is reasonably overhead at the time and regularly check which stars I can see using a printed star chart. This gives me a relative feel for what the conditions are for that night. For example Cygnus is an excellent constellation for that purpose. There is a very nice range of star magnitudes present. However, it is not available all the time, thus other constellations must be used. In my case, if I can see all the stars in Ursa Minor, that is a great night from my house. It is fun finding an using this technique. It adds to the nighttime enjoyment and develops a greater appreciation for the delights of an amateur astronomer.
I Yam What I Yam!
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