http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/ Astronomy blog of backyard-astro.com en mm94@planet.nl Copyright 2011 2011-02-25T11:30:01-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/rigel_and_betelgeuse/ Deepsky observing


Rigel




Betelgeuse

]]> 2011-02-25T11:30:01-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2011_02_08/ Deepsky binocular, Deepsky log, Deepsky observing
Rigel was observed with the 12 inch dobson. The double star did not show itself as a double initially, due to a lot of turbulence in the tube (the scope was just outside for a few minutes. However, after switching on the fan, the weaker B companion popped into view, just like that. The image was stable right from the moment the fan started to make a laminar flow in the 12-inch tube. Amazing. Betelgeuse was also observed with the twelve inch, and the deep orange color was simply overwhelming, especially at lowest power. However, in the 85mm Zeiss, the color looked even much deeper than in the 12-inch.

Collinder 65 is a large open cluster, which actually belongs to Taurus, but lies on the Orion-Taurus border. I observed and sketched this large open cluster (3.3 degrees) using the Skywindow and the 8x42 Orion binoculars, field of view 8.2 degrees. Until a few days ago I didn't know this cluster was actually there, but when scanning the area between Collinder 69 and Messier 1, you cannot miss it. You immediately will recognize it as a cluster.

In the next few weeks I hope to publish my observing reports and sketches on http://www.starobserver.eu On the map below you can see where the objects I observed can be found.




image from Voyager by Capellasoft

]]> 2011-02-08T22:14:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2011_02_01_markarian6/ Deepsky observing Follow this link to my other website, starobserver.eu, for the complete observing report, finderchart, and a beautiful image of the heart-nebula by Dominique Suys (thanks Dominique for granting me permission to use your image for my report!)






]]> 2011-02-01T21:12:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2011_01_17_orion/ Deepsky observing NGC 129 and Stephenson 1 and a very interesting triple star, 40 Eridani. Just click on the links to have a look at some very interesting facts and stories on these fascinating objects.

Last week I made my first ever sketch of an OB Association, Orion OB1b, also know as Collinder 70, or just as The Belt of Orion. This large group of stars is a perfect binoculars. It is centred on the three bright belt-stars of Orion, and offers stunning views. I observed them with my 8x42 (8.2 degrees FOV), 12x60 (5.6 degrees FOV) and the 15x80 (3.5 degrees FOV). In the end I used the SkyWindow and my 15x80 to make this sketch. In time an article about this wonderfull object will be added to my website Starobserver.eu, but for now, here’s the sketch to enjoy.







]]> 2011-01-17T18:31:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2010_10_23/ Deepsky observing 2010-10-23T07:25:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2010_10_14/ General
What I found very impressive was the speed with which this giant disc can be turned into different directions. The 100-meter large disc is simply impressive to see! Here are a few images of the telescope. Just click on them to enlarge.

]]> 2010-10-19T21:32:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2010_10_17_sundogs/ Atmospheric optics










]]> 2010-10-17T18:44:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2010_08_15_dob/ Equipment ]]> 2010-08-15T18:13:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2010_06_13/ Solar scraps


]]> 2010-07-11T06:53:00-08:00 http://www.backyard-astro.com/blog/index.php/weblog/2010_06_15_moon/ Lunar scraps
Just before I went to bed tonight, I saw this beautiful crescent moon over my neighbour's roof. To the right of the Moon, right above the tree, I saw Venus. I got out my old Coolpix 4500 on a tripod and shot this black and white image.

Enjoy!

(click on image to enlarge)


]]> 2010-06-15T21:01:00-08:00