Hunting galaxies in Leo the Lion

Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Ted Forte

[Telepathic Intruder]

"The “deep sky” is what astronomers call the realm beyond our solar system"

Not really. Stars are not DSO's. They are faint sky objects that usually require light gathering or amplification to see, but not necessarily magnification. Star clusters, nebulas, and galaxies mostly. Nebulas are mostly seen along the galactic plane, and especially near the galactic core (which unfortunately for us is in the southern hemisphere). Galaxies, harder to spot with a small telescope or binoculars, are away from the galactic plane.

[jeffc]

Hmmm, so I wonder what a good telescope for a retired amateur to peruse the stars and galaxies would cost. Thousands?

[SandRat]

OK, Mr. Spoc.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Also, you misspelled Spock.

[sit-rep]

this thread is worthless w/out pics! js...

[SandRat]

I know not. Ask the Vulcan Science Academy.

[Telepathic Intruder]

You can probably buy a decent 8 or 10 inch Dobsonian for around $500. But there is a learning curve to this sort of thing. If you haven’t already spent some time with more modest equipment such as binoculars, it will most likely end up as a garage ornament.

[jeffc]

I was looking at the Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo 180mm on Amazon. I'd like to take photos with it, so I guess I'll have to get a DSLR =;-).

I was just wondering what power you need to view other galaxies without them being just smudges of light. Rent time on the Hubble, LOL?

[Telepathic Intruder]

Galaxies are actually very large compared to things like planets, etc. The Andromeda galaxy is about 6 full moons in angular diameter. What you really need to image them is light gathering power (i.e. objective lens size) and time exposure (which means tracking with photography). I’ve never done it since I don’t have the money or the back yard.

[Alas Babylon!]

That’s more than 50 full moons away!

Should be:

That’s more than 50 full moons away across!

[Bogie]

On the plus side: https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news201.html

[Telepathic Intruder]

The least of my worries, literally. Running over a cat on my way back from work ranks well above it.

[Conan the Librarian]

It depends on what you want to do and how much you want to put into it.

You can get an Obsession 22inch for about $11,000, or, you can go with a Lightbridge 10in for about 600. At an event my club is having in a few weeks, we’re giving away a 80mm Lightbridge. They cost about $60 and are great starter scopes.

I have a buddy who as a 22 Obsession and it has some WONDERFUL views, but, it’s a lot of setup.

I have a hand made (not by me) 12.5 dob I inherited when the owner died. It’s a great scope.

I wish they had talked about some of the other galaxies in Leo like NGC 2903, or, my personal favorites, the NGC 3190 group.

Best bet, Learn the sky first, then figure out how much you are willing to part with. Just remember, you won’t see anything like in the pictures.

[Bogie]

But it's not a question of "if."

Yeah, nothing to worry about right now.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SandRat. A ping to X-Planets, with APoD members along for the ride.

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[minnesota_bound]

A digital camera alone will record very good photos.
A telescope will help make the photos better by enlarging the objects.

Advice for First Time Telescope Buyers
http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/first.htm

How Big?
http://uncle-rods.blogspot.com/2011/01/uncle-rods-telescope-academy-how-big.html

Can you see the Flag on the Moon with a Telescope?
http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/flag_on_moon.htm

This guy takes great photos including the space station:
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY - THIERRY LEGAULT
http://www.astrophoto.fr/

Another who takes great photos. He shows what he uses to take the photos.
Russell Croman Astrophotography
http://www.rc-astro.com/index.php

Using a Canon camera:
BudgetAstro
http://www.budgetastro.net/guest-images.html

Using a Nikon
Nikon D810a astrophotography sample images

No telescope? No problem! You can still shoot deep-sky astrophotography images like a pro.
https://photographingspace.com/deep-sky-astrophotography-without-telescope/

Wally’s pics
http://astropics.com/

Pretty soon you will want to get a big telescope.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_optical_reflecting_telescopes

The World’s Largest Telescope
The biggest is 128 foot or 1,536” diameter Extremely Large Telescope
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/09/13/a-new-record-nears-the-worlds-largest-telescope-prepares-for-completion/#65ae8172392c

You just need a shed to house your telescope
http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/observatory.htm

[minnesota_bound]

Using a Nikon
Nikon D810a astrophotography sample images
https://nikonrumors.com/2015/02/09/nikon-d810a-astrophotography-sample-images.aspx/

[minnesota_bound]

#14 there is an app for that. You can use a telescope or your smart phone to see what is in a particular area of the sky on any given night without asking a Druid.

[Osage Orange]

I thought this was a hunting thread...............