Dec's Guide to the Night Sky for Amateur Astromomers - including Melbourne weather

[outlander]

Oh wow awesome @Change123 i cant wait ill have to get some binoculars

[Mazarita]

Hi @Owlunar and all, last night's full moon was a delight. I happened to go out the back after midnight for a smoke break. When that insidious habit was completed, I took a few steps out beyond the balcony and stood for some time bathed in the moon's brilliant rays. I like to be aware of the moon's cycles and take time to notice it in the flesh, though I don't always manage that, due to laziness or preoccupation. But ah, the moon is a lovely creature!

[Former-Member]

just found this thread. I saw the full moon last night as I was picking up my son and it was spectacular here, very eerie with streaky clouds through it giving it an unusual colour. At the time I pulled over my car wanting to take a photo. At that point I actually realised that the moon and night sky is the hardest thing to photograph. It never appears as you see it so I didn't try for fear of disappointment.  But I tried to instil it in my memory. 

[Change123]

Hey @Former-Member

Was that in SA?

I did the same thing yesterday I was at the shops and when I came out it was like an eerie movie the way the clouds streaked across the moon.  Yes my partner tried to get a photo too but I dont think it came out either.

It still never ceases to amaze me when we look through our telescope at a full moon, seeing the craters and everything it feels like you can just reach out and grab it.  If anyone buys a telescope thats has a larger mirror in it - be warned when you look at a full moon you need to wear sun glasses - yes at night!  It is so bright through the lense it literally hurts your eyes.  I'm sure there are special lenses you can attach but sunglasses do the trick.

[Former-Member]

Yeah that was in SA @Change123. It did look so close last night. I would love a telescope one day. I'm glad you saw it too. 

[Former-Member]

Hello everyone, here's a picture I took of the moon, not the one from last night - it was still overcast here last night; but the Sun's out today 🙂 So I might get a chance to find Sirius, armed with my little map (Thank you @Owlunar) and a little pair of binoculars! I'll have to read back through and find out which planets are next to the moon, as I find that amazing too - to be able to name them instead of just seeing them as sparkles in the sky 🙂

Niqua

[Change123]

@Former-Member

If you are ever really intersted in buying one go to the Adelaide Optical Centre in Grenfell street, they are pretty good.  Advice for buying one you should really get something that has a mirror / lense that is at least 6"  in diameter to get some good magnification.  The cheap telescopes talk about magnification which actually says its a cheap one as with half decent telescopes it depends on the size of the mirror/ lense and most magnification can be enhanced with eye peices.  Its not a cheap hobby the one we bought was really the wrong one for what we use.  Its on a big tripod and is so cumbersome and heavy that becuase of this we dont use as often as we should.

We want to buy what they call a Dobsonian (point and look) which is basically a massive long tube on a smaller stand and is more mobile and easy to pack into your car.  They are often less expensive too because they are not filled with electronics and a hell of lot lighter to carry.  Some of the other makes have programs and can get quite complicated but these is basically you point and look at the sky and find things that way.  For a decent beginner telescope you would probably be looking at about $350 minimum now.  But it is so worth it if you love star gazing. Picture of what they look like below.  Also not sure if the Adelaide Optic store still do this but when you purchase a telescope we had a free one day training course of astronomy at the Uni - The Levels (north Pooraka way).  They have a "planetarium" this was a wonderful experience.  Basically after some theory lessons you sit in this room that has these leather recliner seats and the night sky is projected on the roof.  Sounds very corny but the room is sooo dark that you can hardly see you hand infront of your face so the images look very realistic.  It was a fantastic experience.  We are planning soon to see if we can get into an observatory down south at McLaren Flat as I believe they have general public days and you can view through their massive telescopes - this would be really COOL!

[Owlunar]

This is awesome and exciting - I had no idea this would go over so well - wow

The moon is a really great help to find the planets - and some stars - so here's hoping for a clear sky tonight because the moon will be fairly near Antares - which is in Scorpius - and my pic should show that - Scorpius is a constellation - and I typed Sorpio into my browser and got all sorts of info on astrology which is interesting but not really the point here

The next night - tomorrow - the moon will be near Saturn - and this is great - Saturn is the most beautiful planet after Earth - I will try and put up a pic of that.

Here you can see where Antares is - it's called that because Mars was the god of war who was also called Ares - and Mars and Antares look similar so - Anti-Ares - I guess - I am full of trivia - never mind

Here's Scorpius against the Milky Way - it's harder to see the constellation but Antares is really bright

In the early morning Venus is brilliant - if anyone wakes up and the sky to the east is clear it is unmissable - and glorious - it's what people call the Morning Star but of course - it's a planet

Dec

[Owlunar]

I found a pic of Saturn - there are many - I am sure people know the ringed planet - Uranus and Neptune have rings also - but they are invisible to the naked eye and I don't follow them - if I had a telescope I would but I don't have anywhere to mount on

And that's is one fabulous pic of the moon Niqua - I love that

I am interested in hearing something about those clouds in SA as well - I shall look up the news and see if there is anything - thanks for all this incredible feedback

Dec

[outlander]

Cant wait for pics @Owlunar