Choosing Targets
- seer
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Choosing Targets
Tonight is suppose to be a good night for observing here. I'm looking for possible targets.
On the top of the list will be Mini Cassiopeia. Little Cassiopeia (Lacerta) will be in a great position so I'll try an get a good view of it. Actually all 3 Cassiopeias will be in good positions. It will be a CASSIOPEIA TRIFECTA!
I might be able to get to some things in the Summer Triangle but a little east of it will be better.
Would M2 and M15 be good targets for me? In my atlas they look kind of small.
On the top of the list will be Mini Cassiopeia. Little Cassiopeia (Lacerta) will be in a great position so I'll try an get a good view of it. Actually all 3 Cassiopeias will be in good positions. It will be a CASSIOPEIA TRIFECTA!
I might be able to get to some things in the Summer Triangle but a little east of it will be better.
Would M2 and M15 be good targets for me? In my atlas they look kind of small.
Donald
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Re: Choosing Targets
Those are bright globulars - I definitely would go after them. Hope the good conditions hold up for you. You may also want to try for the Helix Nebula - it's rather diaphanous and faint but since it is in Aquarius I would try.
-Michael
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Re: Choosing Targets
How about M27, the Dumbbell Nebula? It's "inside" the Summer Triangle and not hard to find.
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Re: Choosing Targets
M15 is a wonderful very compact globular cluster. You can find it but it needs aperture and magnification to reveal its joys. When I had access to a 16" Cassegrain f15 it was a real delight! It's a very pretty picture in my Z12. You need at least 6-8" of aperture though. In my MK66 it's very nice. One of my favorite objects but it needs a bigger scope.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_15
I heartily second the suggestion of M27 though! The Helix is good too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_15
I heartily second the suggestion of M27 though! The Helix is good too.
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- JayTee
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Re: Choosing Targets
And of course, don't forget that we have a vendor that is promoting his "astro-planning" website. A lot of us use this site quite a bit for our nightly planning.
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=1812
Cheers,
JT
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=1812
Cheers,
JT
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- Don Quixote
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Re: Choosing Targets
Ditto, JT.JayTee wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2019 12:04 am And of course, don't forget that we have a vendor that is promoting his "astro-planning" website. A lot of us use this site quite a bit for our nightly planning.
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=1812
Cheers,
JT
It is a great tool Donald.
You've got to check this out when you get a chance.
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Re: Choosing Targets
I sometimes use these two sites
https://tonightssky.com/MainPage.php
https://telescopius.com/?lat_deg=42&lat ... dsobrowser
Abb
https://tonightssky.com/MainPage.php
https://telescopius.com/?lat_deg=42&lat ... dsobrowser
Abb
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Re: Choosing Targets
If your only looking for stuff on the Messier List this site is pretty good. http://calgary.rasc.ca /darksky/messierplanner.htm
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Re: Choosing Targets
Observing.Skyhound.com has a target list for every month of the year. Not your typical list. More challenging. Objects ARE in the sky for that month. Listed from easy to hard.
Common name, constellation, coordinates and magnitude.
In addition to that, I've learned to take myMessier list and compare it to what's in the sky at the time according to my elementary planisphere.
Hope this helps.
(I'm not a vendor-it's free site)
Common name, constellation, coordinates and magnitude.
In addition to that, I've learned to take my
Hope this helps.
(I'm not a vendor-it's free site)
Jeff
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Orion Skyview pro 8 f5.
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- Baskevo
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Re: Choosing Targets
I have been using this site, and it is awesome! You can see your target and images taken by others (people upload all day every day), weather conditions, you can frame your shot perfectly, check what time your target will be at its highest, etc.JayTee wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2019 12:04 am And of course, don't forget that we have a vendor that is promoting his "astro-planning" website. A lot of us use this site quite a bit for our nightly planning.
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=1812
Plug in your telescope and camera specs, and it will give you an idea of what your shot will look like. I love it.
I learned about telescopius through this youtube video:
at 38:38, he shows some cool things you can do with it (It was called
Happy hunting!
-James W.
Telescope: Explore Scientific 80mm FCD100 Triplet APO Refractor
Mount: EQ6-R Pro
Cameras: ZWO ASI1600mm Pro (Cooled) | Canon DSLR EOS T7i
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Software: APT, SharpCap Pro, PHD2, CPWI | PixInsight, DeepSkyStacker, Photoshop
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/gp/186194203@N06/18B629
Telescope: Explore Scientific 80mm FCD100 Triplet APO Refractor
Mount: EQ6-R Pro
Cameras: ZWO ASI1600mm Pro (Cooled) | Canon DSLR EOS T7i
Auto-guiding: ZWO ASI120mm-Mini + Astromania 50mm Guidescope
Filters: ZWO 31mm Ha/Oiii/Sii 7nm + LRGB | Orion 2" Skyglow Filter
Accessories: Explore Scientific 2" Field Flattener, ZWO EFW 8 Position
Software: APT, SharpCap Pro, PHD2, CPWI | PixInsight, DeepSkyStacker, Photoshop
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/gp/186194203@N06/18B629
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