Deep Sky Section

Update on April 21st Meeting

Unfortunately the weather got the better of us in the end but 10 of us staunch believers braved adversity and made our way to LMDSS.  We had very fleeting glimpses of stars and the Milky Way but cerainly no quality viewing time was given to us.  Though, our get together was not in the slightest bit a waste of time, as we had the opportunity to have a drink and a chat about various topics and I was also able to assist a couple of members with the art of Collimating telescopes and showing them the different tools that are available for that purpose.  It was a relatively warm night and heavy clothes were not a necessity during the evening.  That is about all that I can speak of for this night but rest assured that our enthusiasm has not been dampened and once again I am looking forward to catching up with everyone in May..........'til then CLEAR, DARK SKIES.

Section Information

As the new director of the Deep Sky Section I invite anyone who is interested in deep sky object observing to join us at the society's LMDSS in Heathcote, with the view of getting a regular group together to meet on a monthly basis.  If you have a telescope, bring it with you and if you don't there will be scopes to view through plus the society's 25-inch Obsession will be in operation.   If you are interested in being part of the group please let me know by emailing me, Eddie van den Berg, at deepsky@asv.org.au or call 0407 930 542, I would also be interested in hearing any suggestions as to what you would like to get out of being a participant in the group. i.e. completing the Messier 100, sketching / recording what I see or how to star hop to a faint fuzzy.

In the Deep Sky section we are interested in observing objects which can only be seen in all their splendour  when the skies are dark, the seeing is stable and transparency is clear.  These objects include a multitude of different shapes and sizes of galaxies, open and globular clusters, planetary nebulae, emission nebulae, reflection nebulae and dark nebulae to name a few.  There are literally millions of observable objects to be viewed depending on the resolving power and light gathering ability of your telescope and the acuteness of your own vision. 

In this section we aim to provide novice deep sky observers with the ability to learn from experienced observers about how to locate and observe these objects, which eyepieces and filters work best and the resources to get the most out of your observing experience.  For the seasoned observer the Deep Sky section provides an arena to get together, share information and experiences and imparting knowledge to Astronomers new to the field, but most importantly having a great time doing the thing we love the most, driving our telescopes to their limits.

There is also nothing more humbling and thought provoking when absorbing the view at the eyepiece and thinking to yourself that the photons of light hitting your retina have taken millions if not billions of years to arrive, in some instances giving you a snapshot in time to an era before our even own solar system came into being.

 

Next Meeting:      19th May, 2012

Location:             LMDSS site, Heathcote

Time:                    5.30pm

What to bring:     Telescope and equipment (not essential if you don't own one)

                              Warm clothing

                              Camping and sleeping gear (if you are staying at the site)