Did you know, 2009 is regarded as the International Year of Astronomy as declared by UNESCO!
See the links in Astronomy or
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2009: International Year of Astronomy!
Hey,
Did you know, 2009 is regarded as the International Year of Astronomy as declared by UNESCO!
See the links in Astronomy or
Did you know, 2009 is regarded as the International Year of Astronomy as declared by UNESCO!
See the links in Astronomy or
The sky from Bandipur was amazing! It was as buckets of diamonds of different sizes were splashed on a black velvet carpet! Only, I did not go crazy because I already am!! :) Just kidding!
I could see the foreground of our MilkyWay for the first time! The Orion arm was exhilarating. I knocked off most of the objects planned for the night leaving a couple that were too high in the sky to manage my scope comfortably.
One thing I had overlooked was Saturn. As I saw it rise from the east, I pointed my scope at it expecting nothing...
At 36x, it was still a blob of yellowish light. Then I switched over to 91x and could see the ring system of Saturn! Its rings are aligned with the earth's orbital plane which means that you get to see the whole ting system almost edge-on. If not for 3D view, Saturn would simply look like a round yellow light with two ticks on either side. Then, I added my 2x Barlow to increase the mag to 182x. Now the ring system was more prominent and I could see it curve slightly towards the far end.
More on other objects to come later!! (Recorded observations on my phone; I still need to gather them all...)
I could see the foreground of our MilkyWay for the first time! The Orion arm was exhilarating. I knocked off most of the objects planned for the night leaving a couple that were too high in the sky to manage my scope comfortably.
One thing I had overlooked was Saturn. As I saw it rise from the east, I pointed my scope at it expecting nothing...
At 36x, it was still a blob of yellowish light. Then I switched over to 91x and could see the ring system of Saturn! Its rings are aligned with the earth's orbital plane which means that you get to see the whole ting system almost edge-on. If not for 3D view, Saturn would simply look like a round yellow light with two ticks on either side. Then, I added my 2x Barlow to increase the mag to 182x. Now the ring system was more prominent and I could see it curve slightly towards the far end.
More on other objects to come later!! (Recorded observations on my phone; I still need to gather them all...)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Hallo Guys,
I was quite busy last one month. So I did not find time to post.
I used my telescope for 3 nights altogether till now. It was really a tremendous viewing experience.
The StarWatcher is a good low-priced achromatic refractor. Good OTA and decent optics, though the finder is not achromatic. The mount is quite sturdy but it shakes for a slightly longer time after touching the focus. The EQ drives are smooth. The model I have only has an RA motor with a hand-pad controller.
More Later!...
I was quite busy last one month. So I did not find time to post.
I used my telescope for 3 nights altogether till now. It was really a tremendous viewing experience.
The StarWatcher is a good low-priced achromatic refractor. Good OTA and decent optics, though the finder is not achromatic. The mount is quite sturdy but it shakes for a slightly longer time after touching the focus. The EQ drives are smooth. The model I have only has an RA motor with a hand-pad controller.
More Later!...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Open Sesame!
Finally, on Friday I got to open the telescope.
It is WONDERFUL! It is slightly bigger than expected.
I gave it a routine check and saw whether everything was in order.
I am yet to view the heavens through it and judge the quality.
Can't wait!
Wish me Clear Skies!
It is WONDERFUL! It is slightly bigger than expected.
I gave it a routine check and saw whether everything was in order.
I am yet to view the heavens through it and judge the quality.
Can't wait!
Wish me Clear Skies!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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