Re: (SNES) Why can't I see it?

["??d ???" <graywwoolf@msn.com>]

Doug, you are right about that. Alot of these objects can be difficult. It
depends on age, eyesight, experience.

I wasnt a serious observer until I was about 25 years old. Now into my 40's, I
find myself to be an advanced observer of many years and constantly test
myself and strive for more. I may fall a few times, but I get up and look for
more.

So, I bow humbly to your many more years of experience. But where you are a
general observer of many types of objects, I am a die hard observer of mainly
one object, namely the dreaded PNe...Muwahahahaha

Dave

----- Original Message -----
From: Albireo54@aol.com
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2001 7:03 PM
To: snegazers@brainiac.com
Subject: Re: (SNES) Why can't I see it?

In a message dated 7/23/01 9:09:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
graywwoolf@msn.com writes:

<< Doug, I hate to burst your bubble of hydrogen gas... >>

Hi Dave,

Hydrogen gas? Is that what it was? No wonder the Alka-Seltzer didn't work!

<<The Helix is a breeze and the veil is easy. The hard part of the veil is
tracing the entire circle of the veil. >>

I never said that these were difficult objects, Dave. (It's just that they
can present unexpected challenges in certain scopes.) In fact, I routinely
view the Helix in my 10 x 50 binoculars (from just about anywhere) and I have
often seen sections of the Veil in 10 x 70's down at FDO and other dark
sites. The Rosetta is also a snap, as are the North American and Pelican
Nebulae. How strange that we can see such things in binoculars, when large
scopes often struggle with them - note Joe's comments earlier about field of
view. As I said, the Horsehead has been seen in some very small scopes, but
the conditions have to be "just so". We have yet to push the limits of FDO's
16", although several of us have viewed stars to at least magnitude 16.5 (in
NGC 2158), far exceeding the standard limit for that scope.

<<Finding many objects are based on your eyesight, your visual acuity. I use
both eyes to detect detail, size and shape. >>

Yes, these things are true. Having decent eyesight helps in this hobby of
ours. I don't know of many successful astronomers with poor vision.  :o)

<<Next is your ability to see. I eat sugary confections before I observe. I
eat
carrots...LOL...for snacks. I breathe deeply and care for my night vision. I
rest between objects and take notes.>>

These make good suggestions (don't know about the carrots) for all observers,
and they are things that folks like Les, Joe, I, and many others have been
doing for years and years. (I eat less sugar, of course, after losing 97
lbs.!) You left out three important ones. (1) Get your sleep - neither the
brain nor the eyes can be expected to perform acrobatics if you're fatigued.
(2) Stay warm and comfortable! If you're shivering and suffering from bad
posture at the eyepiece, you may as well go home to bed. And (3), MOST
important of all - especially for Joe Hartley - ALWAYS have a large thermos
of hot coffee at the ready!  (There's a #4 as well -  buy a GOTO scope - but
we needn't get into all that again. LOL)

Seriously, Dave, your ideas about successful observing techniques are
excellent. Of course, everyone has their own systems, some of them time
tested over MANY decades of observing. Les C. and I were active observers
before you were even a twinkle in your parents eyes, so there's probably not
a lot that we're going to come across that's new when it comes to observing
technique. After all, we have over 90 years between us. (Saying this makes my
back creak!)

At FDO, and here on SNES, we welcome the input of amateurs of all levels of
experience. I believe that it is our ability to translate lifetimes of
experience into useable guidance for the novice that really sets us apart as
successful amateurs.  Having this new newsgroup up and running, supported
primarily by the growing FDO family, is yet another way that we can help
newcomers grow within the field, while still finding time to share heavy-duty
observing experiences among us "old salts".

Let's hope for more clear skies this weekend!

Doug Stewart
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