Astromart

February 23, 2004 06:24 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

NGC Descriptions?

I believe Dreyer meant that M79 is "pretty large" for a globular cluster, an obviously subjective estimate.

I'd take apparent size estimates with a grain of salt, although they are most likely more consistent than estimated integrated magnitudes are.

Dave Mitsky

March 8, 2004 07:15 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

M104 best viewing?

Posted By Dave Mitsky

John,

Here's another finder chart with information on the two prominent asterisms, the Stargate and Jaws, that make star-hopping to M104 very easy.

Dave Mitsky

March 9, 2004 06:22 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

Refractor for Solar Observation

Posted By Dave Mitsky

A high f/ratio is more desirable for most H-alpha filters. Given that you also want to use the scope for binary star and planetary observation a 100 to 102mm f/11 or f/12 achromat would be your best choice.

Dave Mitsky

March 15, 2004 01:53 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Jupiter 03/13/04

Posted By Dave Mitsky

Dave Lassiter and I observed and imaged the transits of Ganymede and Io on Saturday night (which was an extremely cold and damp one by the way) with his 12" LX200 and Meade LPI from north of Harrisburg. We also imaged Venus and Saturn earlier in the evening and much later a few binary stars before shutting down.

Dave Mitsky

March 21, 2004 08:30 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Messier Marathons

Posted By Dave Mitsky

Friday night turned out to be a primarily clear one in south central Pennsylvania. Although my friend Tony Donnangelo and I arrived at our observing site later than we had planned and there was a period of cloudy haze lasting about an hour, I managed to log 87 Messiers manually with my 101mm Tele Vue refractor and 7 more with Tony's 14.5" Starmaster Sky Tracker Dob. This was the first time I've spent an entire night on a snow-covered field (it had snowed the previous night) and brother, let me tell you, was it ever cold. One interesting event that transpired was being buzzed several times by a National Guard helicopter that couldn't have been more than 50 feet above the ground when it passed over us.

Dave Mitsky

March 23, 2004 04:19 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Green Flash?

Posted By Dave Mitsky

I've tried several times to catch the green flash while at sea but haven't been lucky enough to actually see one.

Dave Mitsky

April 11, 2004 04:34 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Leo 1

Posted By Dave Mitsky

I've seen Leo I through a couple of telescopes. One being a 14.5" Starmaster Dob, the other a 25" ATM Dob. It is a rather difficult object but Leo II was even harder to see.

Dave Mitsky

April 24, 2004 05:50 AM Forum: Solar System Observing