Astronomy Hacks Part 5

[Vinnie]

Astronomy Hacks: Hack 18 - Print Custom Charts

This chapter encourages the observer to plan his/her observing sessions and print out charts for the items they plan to observe (they recommend using a laser printer if possible because the printing won't smudge in the dew). It is recommended to plan observing sessions rather than go out with your sky charts/laptops and observe "on the fly" since observing time is precious. The software they recommend is Cartes du Ciel (which I have seen recommended a lot).

I recently downloaded Cartes du Ciel and am still learning the software. I have a thread on this software and if anyone has any advice on using it (for example how do you get it to display only certain NGC objects? Every time I turn on the NGC catalogue my screen is filled with numbers) I would appreciate it.

As to planning observing sessions I have not tried it to the extent that they recommend. I usually have a list of what I want to observe, and have a basic idea of where it is at; which means I spend much of my time consulting my sky atlas. As soon as I get the software figured out I will try it there way as it seems to be sound advice.

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Astronomy Hacks: Hack 19 - Keep Your Charts At The Eyepiece

Here is another Idea I never would have thought of. They recommend keeping your charts at the eyepiece by securing them to the telescope tube using magnets. Of course this will work best for us Dob owners, and I can't see how it would work at all on a refractor. It certainly is considerably easier than going to the chart table repeatedly. As soon as I learn how to print said charts I will be trying this one.

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Astronomy Hacks: Hack 20 - Locate Objects Geometrically

This chapter explains how to find DSO's using geometric patterns and a Telrad (or similar) finder. For example to find M79 start with the triangle formed by 13 Gam Lep, 9 Bet Lep, and 2 Eps Lep. Place the top of the Telrad Circle in the center of the line from 13 Gam Lep to 2 Eps Lep and M79 should be in your finder scope.

This is one I am really excited about trying as soon as I get a Telrad. It sounds like it will make finding DSO's much easier.

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Astronomy Hacks: Hack 21 - Learn To Star Hop

This chapter goes into detail on the art of Star Hopping. That is using bright stars as guideposts to get to a DSO. They list a couple of different methods: First using an overlay on the original chart. The disadvantage of this is that it wastes observing time. The second is to use a photocopy of the map and plan your star hop ahead of time. The chapter also gives a couple of examples of a star hop.

I have found a tip off of the Astro-Tom web site that is useful. First use a couple of bright stars that will just fit into the finder scope (Big Dipper and Cassiopea works well). Then make a circle out of pipe cleaner that covers the same amount of space on your star map. After seeing how well this worked I took it a step further. Using a compass I drew circles on a CD case that covered the area, and I just place that over my star chart to star hop. It seems to work well, but as with the overlays mentioned earlier it does take away from the amount of time you actually observe.

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Astronomy Hacks: Hack 22 - Learn To See DSOs

This chapter gives many tips on seeing Deep Space Objects:
1) Learn Patience: It may take a while to find dim objects.
2) Observe From Dark Sites: Anything that brightens the background sky will make seeing DSO's harder to see (for example I can see the Andromeda galaxy from my driveway, but not the two companion galaxies - for that I need a darker site).
3)Observe Objects When They Are High: You are looking through less atmosphere when objects are high in the sky.
4)Dark Adapt Fully: Being fully dark adapted is crucial for DSOs (when I first started observing I tried to find the Ring Nebula first thing after going outside; it wasn't until I came back to it a couple of hours later that I was able to see it).
5)Use The Largest Instrument Available: Aperture Rules for DSOs
6)Use Averted Vision: Look off to the side of the object. Averted vision is better for seeing dim objects.
7)Keep Both Eyes Open: Squinting reduces your ability to see dim objects (Vinnie recommends using an eye patch to help you keep both eyes open).
8)Use Nebula Filters To Increase Contrast: O-III and Narrow Band Filters can enhance contrast.