After 3 weeks of unusual stormy, cool, El
Nino inspired weather the skies cleared yesterday and left the Sidewalk Guy with a dilemma - go and do a public program or
grab some photons for himself? The personal photon foray won out. I was inspired several weeks back by
Nitesky Girl's
pj pants and sweat shirt observing outfit. My
ensemble is comprised of my favorite old Tilly Hat along with a Yerkes Observatory T-shirt, a pair of red/black flannel
pj pants and
flipflops not seen. Normally when I go pull out the old photon collectors I have an observing program in mind and take my time with my quarry of choice - this could
include time on my son's lap top doing research on the objects or reading in a book. I will usually plan out what I want to study - be it double stars, galaxies,
globbies, dark nebula
etc. Or maybe I will study one constellation and
dissect it end to end. Not tonight; in the words of my son "be totally random" and I was. This was hit and run astronomy with the scope pointing in all
directions at different things with no continuity at all. My only guide was a well used Orion
DeepSky 600 Astronomy Road Map. What did I see in 3 hours time? Here's the tally:
- 38 double or multiple star systems
- 20 globular clusters
- 17 open clusters
- 5 galaxies - not good seeing for these
- 5 planetary nebula - only big and bright ones tonight
- 7 diffuse nebula - again sky conditions
- 6 red variables
- 3 carbon stars
- 3 planets of our solar system
- 9 moons of these planets including another sighting of Neptune's Triton!
- Mars and Venus preceding Luna in the predawn sky.
This not the complete tally: in many of the clusters there were various doubles and
multiple star systems
embedded which where not counted................who cares! This was a hit and run activity that helped to fill my depleted photon tank. Today I feel like an
addict who is coming down from a runner - is there a support group out there? I got my fix - when can I get another?
grab some photons for himself? The personal photon foray won out. I was inspired several weeks back by Nitesky Girl's pj pants and sweat shirt observing outfit. My ensemble is comprised of my favorite old Tilly Hat along with a Yerkes Observatory T-shirt, a pair of red/black flannel pj pants and flipflops not seen. Normally when I go pull out the old photon collectors I have an observing program in mind and take my time with my quarry of choice - this could include time on my son's lap top doing research on the objects or reading in a book. I will usually plan out what I want to study - be it double stars, galaxies, globbies, dark nebula etc. Or maybe I will study one constellation and dissect it end to end. Not tonight; in the words of my son "be totally random" and I was. This was hit and run astronomy with the scope pointing in all directions at different things with no continuity at all. My only guide was a well used Orion DeepSky 600 Astronomy Road Map. What did I see in 3 hours time? Here's the tally:
13 comments:
Awesome number of celestial targets for a couple of hours of observing. The weather in western NY has been miserable lately. I'm very jealous. Love the self portrait. You are truly the "Tommy Hilfiger" of the astronomy outreach community!
I need to update my late night observing apparel. Love the post...I'm off to the mall for some PJ's.
Mike I am sure you will find some that express your true inner self - just make sure your Mrs. picks them out! And you must do a late evening/early morning observe with them. I want you to know that NSG started a trend that we must keep moving forward. I expect you to do your part!
A picture to show your cooperation with this endeavor would also be recommended.
I also see clear sky coming your way!
PAJAMA PANTS HIT AND RUN !! LOVE IT !!
photon depletion .. doncha love using good but fun astro related words when writting ? i do.
tonight is my turn to do a pajama pants hit and run , been couldy for w hile and after doing mega university worl i need my night sky. REALLY need it.
Re:This was a hit and run activity that helped to fill my depleted photon tank. Today I feel like an addict who is coming down from a runner - is there a support group out there? I got my fix - when can I get another?
LOVE IT this made me roar !!
how bout a t-shirt !
http://t-shirts.cafepress.ca/item/proton-yellow-tshirt/66753865
or this ..
http://shop.cafepress.ca/design/8162765
oh and my pajama's have little GLOW IN THE DARK stars ..beat that! :)~
your bed was being towed by Venus and Mars ?????????
No it wasn't, the moon was! I need to rewrite this!
I need a set of those glow in the dark pj's NSG!
Do you see what you have started?
oh pajama challenge LOL
don't rewrite it it's good!
Possible PJ night this Tuesday.Clear skies are coming my way.
Hey Mike be sure to include the proper foot wear - why not wear your favorite bunny slippers?
which stars are the 3 stars? which ones are the 2 red variables? and what's the difference between carbon stars and regular stars? how did you know they were carbon?
no offense man but you should have a better astronomy picture for your tit;e to match your educating :)
Hey Davo, I use various resources to help me understand what i am seeing. The sky is cataloged well! Carbon stars and certain red variables by the EYE are not distantly different. This is where research comes in and I go by what the books/atlases say! I am not listing things in detail for my purpose is to have a light hearted blog that will hopefully inspire others to enjoy the sky
As far as my pic, I do change it once in awhile but this one represents my desire to bring ALL of the cosmos to the public.............besides I like it!
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