[AZ-Observing] I star hop along the way
- From: Rick Scott <rmscott@xxxxxxx>
- To: AZ Observing <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 09:50:47 -0700
I agree with Tom Polakis about star hopping versus using computer aids
to find objects. Either is fine, it just depends on what you're after.
When I started observing I used the manual setting circles on the fork
mount of my old C8. I was able to find objects and enjoy the view of
them. Later I bought a Losmandy mount with digital setting circles and
used them to find objects. One thing that always amazed me though was
the way people like Tom and Bernie Sanden would show me objects by just
swinging their scope to them. I realized that I really wasn't learning
the sky even though I could find objects and observe them.
After building my Lurie-Houghton telescope, I decided to chuck the
setting circles and learn the sky by star hopping. What an amazing
difference in being able to find objects on my own. There are many
objects I can find now without knowing their coordinates or having a
star chart. I can even point directly to some of them with my green
laser pointer which has been verified by people looking through my
telescope while I point at them. Some of these objects I can even see
without optical aid which has greatly increased my appreciation of the
sky when I don't have a telescope or binoculars with me.
Rick Scott
http://members.cox.net/rmscott
--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
send personal replies to the author, not the list.
Other related posts:
- » [AZ-Observing] I star hop along the way
