The Urban Astronomer

[Tyler]

Heard an interesting interview on a local radio station (KFOG) with a gent named Paul Salazar who has a website The Urban Astronomer. Wish I had a good setup for pics as this seems like a great opportunity! This week he wanted to point out Orion and the Orion Nebula...look to the south this Thursday and Friday, find the 3 stars in a row - that's Orions belt.

Orion Nebula:

Face south in the early to mid-evening and Orion is high in the southern sky. It is easy to identify because of the distinctive "belt" stars and the bright shoulders and kneecaps of Orion. Below the belt hangs the sheath of the sword of Orion, and in the middle of what appears to be three stars is the Orion Nebula. Through binoculars or a small telescope you can clearly see glowing gas and clouds with a distinctive blue hue.

Brilliant Venus

Venus is a remarkable object in the evening sky. It has been steadily brightening throughout January and will continue through February as it climbs high in the evening sky. Winter skies in San Francisco can yield some of the best viewing. I went out for a look at the western sky at Ocean Beach tonight and although it was cold and breezy, the week ahead is forecast to bring sunny days and crisp, clear nights. With Venus approaching its maximum brightness it is shimmering in the west, dominating the sky and making all other celestial objects pale by comparison. That is, until the Moon shows up!

This week brings the monthly dance of planets and Moon. Find a good western horizon to enjoy the monthly spectacle of the young crescent Moon climbing higher each night. The Moon takes just over 29 days to orbit the earth so from one day to the next it moves approximately 12 degrees against the backdrop of stars. Each evening you can see the change in the Moon's position and Venus serves as a helpful reference point in the sky especially from Thursday 29th to Friday 30th. Dress warmly and enjoy!

 

[dcarver]

While I routinely identify Orion, my weak, feeble eyes have a more difficult time scoping other constellations..

...and why do they move? I mean, if the GPS dies, and I'm in Death Valley, with human-eating lizards n' ****... how the heck am I to make to safely home to the Hondarosa? LOL.

 

[Tyler]

While I routinely identify Orion, my weak, feeble eyes have a more difficult time scoping other constellations.. ...and why do they move? I mean, if the GPS dies, and I'm in Death Valley, with human-eating lizards n' ****... how the heck am I to make to safely home to the Hondarosa? LOL.

There's a buncha straight lines (aka roads) that make a big line around DV... just keep turning right or left and you'll end up somewhere... hopefully not Trona! :blink:

 

[odot]

You guys smoke a lotta dope, doncha?

 

[ionbeam]

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has a small observatory on their campus and it is open to the public, usually a couple of nights a week. I stop by when there is something special on their watch list. Saturn is gonna be a big winner in March. I've seen a lot of cool space objects through their telescope. We all time share the direct optical eyepiece but they also port the view to a large TV so the general group can still see what the telescope sees. One of the staff is always available to go outside and point out, explain answer any questions. They use a really spiffy green laser to point things out, it's really dazzling to see the way it lights up in the atmosphere :drag: There are some major observatories in your area but perhaps there is a school with a smaller telescope that opens to the public.



Outside of being on the ocean some of the best sky watching I've done was in Williams, AZ. There is a mountain peak (Bill Williams Mountain?) that is ~9k feet and from there the sky is awesome at night.

At the beginning of January I went down to CT to help my brother set up a telescope for my nephew. I have to say that I was really impressed with his 'scope. We were able to see nebulae and planets plus the moon was stunning with the terminator line right down the center which made the mountains and craters pop out. I also froze my ass off, but it was worth it. Ya can't beat a clear winter night for good viewing if you can take the cold.

 

[odot]

Nerds are stoners too?

 

[Tyler]

Nerds are stoners too?

 

[BikerGeek99]

*snerk*

Mustn't...

*snerk*

Go...

*snerk*

There....

*snerk*

Can't resist....

*snerk*

Where's Uranus gonna be??

*snerk snerk*

 

[BikerGeek99]

Nerds are stoners too?

You shoulda met my astronomy professor.

Wow.

What a nerd. (Yes - that's coming from me, so you KNOW how bad that's gotta be.)

Stoner? He mighta been, but WOW what a nerd.

 

[cometman]

I am taking my 10" Meade out tonight to view the moon. I love motorcycles and astronomy. Last weekend took it out to the Borrego desert to show a group the Orion Nebulae. Very nice time I had.

 

[odot]

I am taking my 20" water cooled bong out tonight to view the moon. I love motorcycles and astronomy. Last weekend took it out to the Borrego desert to show a group the Orion Nebulae. Very nice time I had. Except my stash was gone.

remember the color of the lighthouse at shawshank?

 

[Silent]

If you want a stellar view of the stars *ahem* head up to the top of Mount Hamilton some night. Preferably in your car so you can kill the lights about a mile or 2 from the top (the light from the car's messes with the telescopes up top) They don't close the road except for snow.

 

[Tyler]

If you want a stellar view of the stars *ahem* head up to the top of Mount Hamilton some night. Preferably in your car so you can kill the lights about a mile or 2 from the top (the light from the car's messes with the telescopes up top) They don't close the road except for snow.

Well, there ya go getting all back on topic and sh*t. :lol: