Paul,
Generally, it sounds like you are really getting hooked on this hobby -
fantastic!
Also, regarding your comment, “...incorporate binocular viewing and planisphere
presentation in public star parties.” That’s an interesting idea. I think the
people at a star party are too anxious to get on to the next scope to stay and
listen to a how-to on planispheres and binoculars. But this may be a good part
of a PAS members-only Star Hopping event:
- Find the object on a star chart,
- find its resident constellation on the planisphere, then in the sky.
- Use the binoculars to find a pathway from a nearby bright star to the
object you want to observe.
- Follow that path with your telescope and log your observation.
A short treatise on estimating seeing conditions can aid in the final step of
recording what you see in accordance with standard logging procedures.
I think this might be popular, especially with the Dob owners. Let's see if
anyone else thinks it’s worth exploring further. Comments anyone?
Thanks, Paul.
Alex
On Apr 24, 2017, at 2:53 PM, PAUL (Redacted sender "laup123" for DMARC)
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Alex,
Thank you for organizing the Spring Binocular Star Party. I enjoyed it very
much. Your brief tutorial on binoculars was excellent. I had forgotten most
of what you had presented at the Fall Binocular Star Party so this was an
excellent review and reminder for me. I found some additional information on
my binoculars this time that I had not found in the Fall. I enjoyed looking
at the various objects through my binoculars and also through some of the
larger binoculars at the same objects so I had an idea of the differences in
binocular magnification and view. Unfortunately the weather for this event
was not as good as in the Fall so the objects chosen to view were not as
clear to see. I still enjoyed seeing what I could see.
The special Binocular cake that Diane made was very novel and excellent and
must have taken quite a while to plan and make. It looked very nice and was
very appropriate for the Binocular Star Party. It was delicious.
Thank you Diane for making the Binocular cake and again thank you Alex for
organizing and planning this event.
Also thank you Howard and Sam for helping with this event.
You bring up an excellent point in your email. Binoculars are an inexpensive
way to view some objects in the sky and a good way to start in amateur
astronomy. Maybe there is some way to incorporate binocular viewing and
planisphere presentation in public star parties.
Again Alexis thank you for organizing this Binocular Star Party and the one
last Fall.
Paul F.
P. S. I stayed a little while after most of the people left and I saw four
meteors and Sam and I saw the silhouette of an owl briefly perched on a
cactus south of and near the viewing area. Sunday evening I was in a
northwest suburb and about 8:30 PM I saw a rather bright meteor to the north
that lasted about two seconds. It was beautiful.
From: Alex Vrenios <axv@xxxxxxx>
To: pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2017 10:58 AM
Subject: [pasmembers] Binocular Star Party Apr 22nd
Hello all,
You probably heard about our upcoming Binocular Star Party, a week from
tomorrow under the spectacular skies at Mike’s place up in Carefree. Bring a
pair of binoculars and a dim red flashlight if you have one.
Binoculars get a bum rap. Many amateur astronomers will tell you they are
only useful to get an idea of what’s in the part of the sky you’ll be
pointing your telescope - oh contraire!
There are plenty of “binocular objects” that actually look BETTER in
binoculars than in almost any telescope. Sky & Telescope has a monthly
article “Binocular Highlight." You can find it on the right-hand edge of the
dark blue sky chart in the center of the magazine. Astronomy Magazine has
one, too. Phill Harrington writes “Binocular Universe” every month. It can
usually be found near page 70. Just after dark, take a look at the Pleiades
through whatever pair of binoculars you have. Follow Orion’s belt stars to
the right until you see a fuzzy patch. Through binoculars it looks like a
sprinkling of diamonds on blue velvet. (Okay, maybe that’s a little over the
top.)
Next Saturday we’ll start with a short tutorial on how to focus your
binoculars, what those numbers stamped on the back mean, and what’s the best
pair for astronomical use (though even that old pair in the closet will do
just fine.)
We’ve got 38 objects in 12 constellations, two planets and a comet lined up
in our presentation. Sam, Howard and I will show you where to look and what
you’re looking at, how far away it is, how old it is, how bright it is, and
any special qualities it may have.
PAS members and families, please join us! The potluck starts at 6pm, the
tutorial starts around 7pm (at sunset), and the outdoor presentation starts
at about 7:30, as soon as it gets dark enough.
Alex Vrenios
PAS Vice President
