Astronomy

What do you want to see?

Oh, and the good news is that I do have a couple great astronomy apps on my iPad. I prefer SkyView but there are at least two or three others of excellent quality, including Sky Guide. They both can guide you to various object of interest. So that’s potentially a big help and subverts the need for more expensive computerized hardware.

Gibbnonymous, thanks for the info on the spotting scope. I had considered that as an option as well. The astronomy binoculars I had purchased could basically be thought of as side-by-side spotting scopes. The supposedly good pair I bought were out of alignment and I had to send them back. I see just now that Amazon has credited my purchase so now I feel free to purchase something else.

I like the idea of high-power binoculars because they are very portable and useful in the daylight as well. But it’s become clear to me now that anything you buy under the $400 price range (such as these Oberwerk 25x100’s) is a crapshoot. They either come out of alignment or get there soon. Apparently some (if not all) of the Oberwerk binoculars are adjustable. Others are if you peel back (basically ruin) the rubber grips and have a go yourself.

Oberwerk apparently uses a better prism system that not only supposedly stays in alignment better but is easier to adjust. I’d have to confirm that by contacting the company first. I just sent them an email. But it’s clear that it’s a gamble to buy anything by Celestron or Orion. Once good brands, they are apparently morphing to Chinese junk.

The price is certainly right for the Average White Band OneSky at $200.00. It’s probably the way to go although I’ll wait to hear back from Oberwerk first. And that should be soon if they’re not over-worked at Oberwerk.

Having super-human powers is indeed a big part of the draw. I see all these somewhat artless “X-man” movies and it seems yutes have an overwhelming need to escape themselves. I say pick up a telescope, microscope, or whatever, and do the real thing. That’s an interesting way you’ve characterized it and there’s a lot of truth to that. The stars are fascinating enough but they’re even more fascinating when you can look deeper.

Ron’s place would be good although it’s quite a drive there. But it’s an option. Or just some random field close by such as where the old West Park used to be.

I don’t see it. Any lengthy posts should always be composed in an outside word processor first. Short of that, copy all the text of your post before hitting the post button. In case anything goes wrong, you can just paste that into another post. For logout issues, I have no idea. My experience here is the same as everyone else: trial and error. I have no special knowledge of how this forum software works (or doesn’t work). When in doubt, try a different browser or make sure the one you have is the latest version.

Yes it is good advice. It truly surprises me how many people don't take it.

I don't think I've ever seen a comet or meteor.  I did once see a UFO (i.e., something moving in the sky that I didn't know what it was).  A cousin and I were playing in his sandbox back in the 1960s when something drew our attention to the sky (maybe just a chance glimpse), and we saw a tiny silvery ball moving across it.  I suspect it was a balloon (maybe a weather balloon), but I don't know.