Saturday 27 November 2010

FREE Online Observing Session; Cosmic Treasures by AWB and Virtual Telescope.

Event: Cosmic Treasures
Date: 01/12/10
Time: 22:00 UTC
Organiser: Astronomers Without Borders and the Visual Telescope Project.
Below is the advertisement found in AWB Website:
Astronomers Without Borders and the Virtual Telescope Project announce a new online observing event, bringing another unforgettable astronomical experience to participants. Explore the Universe through the Internet, having fun from home while meeting people from around the globe.
The Virtual Telescope uses its advanced technologies and broad international experience to offer a memorable journey across space and time. Galaxies, nebulae and clusters of stars will be some of the many beautiful cosmic jewels you will see in real time, with live commentary by astrophysicist Dr. Gianluca Masi.
Chat with others online during the event, interact with the Dr. Masi in real time, or just watch and listen while exploring the Universe. Experience One People, One Sky as we share the sky together.
Cosmic Treasures is free! All you need is an Internet connection.
Join in on 1 December 2010 beginning at 22:00 Universal Time. Just go to HERE to take part in Cosmic Treasures.

Friday 19 November 2010

Observing report with 10x50 Celestron Upclose

I have a very little experience with binocular, hence I cant really comment about the quality of the optic of the above binocular brand. However, in this post I will share what I have observed so far since I bought it a month ago.

Target: Moon
Date: 16/10/10

I cant remember the phase of the moon at that time, I believe it was half moon(more or less). I take note some of the craters that I observed through this binocular. Below is the craters that I identified on 16/10/10:

Plato diameter 101 km
exodus diameter 67 km
aristoteles diameter 87 km
copernicus diamter 93km
tycho diameter 85km

I also observed montes apeninus which located on the 'north east' of Copernicus.

Target: Jupiter
Date: no specific date

October/November this year is the best time to observe Jupiter. Jupiter rules the sky every night in this month. It is so obvious even in 'high polluted*' area such as London. Through celestron upclose 10x50, you can see Jupiter's Galilean moon so easily. So far I have observed Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. I am not able to spot Io, probably because its position that are so close to Jupiter. There are some reviews on astronomy forum claimed that they are able to see Io through 10x50 bino. Probably during my observations, Io is not 'there' ie left/right of Jupiters.I cant observe any details on Jupiter, not even with binocular 20x80 that I tried during the baker street astronomy society public observation earlier this month.

Conclusion:
During public observation in Reagent Park on 8th of November, I got an opportunity to try 'more expensive' binoculars from the other members of the society. I cant tell the different between the quality of the image that I saw through other binoculars and my cheap celestron binocular. Hence, I truly satisfied with Celestron Upclose 10x50. Because its a bit heavy compare to the other 10x50 bino, I plan to buy tripod and tripod adapter so I don't need to hold it during observation.