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Objects

Just some thoughts on the main objects of interest.

 

Solar system

Sun with Filter

You have to see it.!

Sunspots easy with solar filter or Herschelkeil.. When using a refractor I prefer the Hereschelkeil.

Sun with Coronado

Well not bad, Promieneces are really the main thing to see. Many different shapes and impressing large structures can be seen. Sometimes it is even possible to see the dynamics.

Satellites / space stations & vehicles

www.heavens-above.com is an excellent source for up-to-date information on overflying objects. The ISS for example can get very bright.

An Iridium flare (sunlight reflected by f a communication satellite) is a very special thing to see and you can judge yourself if the event or the accuracy of the prediction is more impressive. By the way, it isn’t really a flash, what you see is a steady increase in brightness that then fades as steady.


Moon

Interesting. Looks really cold. Good maps are around too. A moon filter dimming the bright moonlight helps. Most exciting views are possible when observing the day/night transition zone (terminator).

Despite all that the beauty of the moon never really caught me. Maybe because his bright light makes it difficult to see other objects.

Planets

Mercure.

No opinion, go and buy a book.

Venus.

No structures to see but the phases can be observed, but unexciting.

Earth

Well so far really nothing interesting found.

Mars

Reddish and some times whitish objects. Always very wishy washy. Wasn’t put up for me. I treat in 1 year of Mars or Moon observing for 1 hour of Saturn.

Jupiter

Very good. Rich structures when seeing is right. The ‘dance’ of Jupiter's moons and their shadows projected on the Jupiter atmosphere are great.

Ther great red spot is great to observe too.

Saturn

Majestic. Appears almost 3-dimensional. Little details in the atmosphere but interesting ring structures / patterns. You have to see it.

The other planets

Well mathematics prove that they are there. Fine with me.

I believe it right way but there is nothing to observe except that you can find them.

Comets

Good. Initially a bit surprising that they don’t seem to move. You need to observer a few days (of course not continuously) to realise that they are on their own way.

Deep Sky

Well , initially you might think, so many objects, but so hard to find. True. But you’ll get there and soon you start to laugh on people with GOTO telescopes and their remote controls.

Messier objects are great.

M57, M13 and M31 are the starter.

M27, M17, M15 the main dish