I just recieved two copies of the S&T Lunar 100 Card, compiled by Charles A. Wood. I haven't been in a position to get to a dark-sky site regularly for some years, and most of my observing has been from my light-polluted backyard. This means that most galaxies are off-limits, and most of my observing is limited to lunar, planetary, double-stars, asteroids and other transient objects, and deep-sky objects that benefit from narrowband filtration. (Planetary and other emmission nebulae.) The Moon is actually a pretty fascinating object. A world unto itself, with geologic (selenographic) morphology that can be studied at very close-range, relatively speaking. In my younger years, I spent a lot of time and money photographing it through the telescope. Lunar photography gave me many of the skills I would later use when attempting deep-sky photography. Of course, that was emulsion-based, and it's a whole new ball-game these days with digital imaging. I'm learning all-over again. But many of the disciplines of imaging remain the same, from the standpoint of character and willingness. Budget and free time is an entirely different subject. YMMV. So when S&T marketed the Lunar 100 card, I ordered two copies immediately. I've owned the S&T Messier and Caldwell cards for many years, and always found them very helpful at the eyepiece, when looking for either old friends or less-observed targets that merit a peek. So I was very excited when the publishers offered a similar card for the moon. After all, the moon can be studied from even the most light-polluted environment with perfect clarity, and can stave-off those withdrawal shakes often expereineced when it's been too long since we last "fired-up" a telescope. It's a good list. Author Wood covers all the classic lunar features, as well as a few that I had never considered looking at. Many will require a certain illumination geometry (lunar phase) in order to see, due to shadows, or a favorable libration if they are near the lunar limb. I can see getting through the entire list taking several months, at least, if one is at the eyepiece on every useable night. It will probably take me a year or more to see them all. And even though I have seen many of them before, sometimes decades ago, I want to revisit them all. My only complaint is that the card is not laminated, unlike the Messier and Caldwell cards previously published by Sky Publishing. Hopefully they will offer a laminated version soon. In the meantime, I may scan it and make disposable copies, or find a laminating service and preserve at least one of the two copies I ordered. My goal is observe all of the "Lunar 100" with as small an aperture as possible, leaning on my years of experience and pushing myself personally. I will only give into a larger aperture if I find it absolutely necessary for a positive ID, or if the feature otherwise impresses me enough to warrant a better look. So, my first impression of the S&T "Lunar 100" card is over-all favorable, though for the asking price, a laminated, water-proof (dew-proof) product would have been much preferred.
Thanks for the review Chuck -- I confess I've never done any serious lunar observing, but have meant to. Sounds like this would be a good way to start. /R ________________________________ From: Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2012 4:51 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] S&T Lunar 100 Card I just recieved two copies of the S&T Lunar 100 Card, compiled by Charles A. Wood. I haven't been in a position to get to a dark-sky site regularly for some years, and most of my observing has been from my light-polluted backyard. This means that most galaxies are off-limits, and most of my observing is limited to lunar, planetary, double-stars, asteroids and other transient objects, and deep-sky objects that benefit from narrowband filtration. (Planetary and other emmission nebulae.) The Moon is actually a pretty fascinating object. A world unto itself, with geologic (selenographic) morphology that can be studied at very close-range, relatively speaking. In my younger years, I spent a lot of time and money photographing it through the telescope. Lunar photography gave me many of the skills I would later use when attempting deep-sky photography. Of course, that was emulsion-based, and it's a whole new ball-game these days with digital imaging. I'm learning all-over again. But many of the disciplines of imaging remain the same, from the standpoint of character and willingness. Budget and free time is an entirely different subject. YMMV. So when S&T marketed the Lunar 100 card, I ordered two copies immediately. I've owned the S&T Messier and Caldwell cards for many years, and always found them very helpful at the eyepiece, when looking for either old friends or less-observed targets that merit a peek. So I was very excited when the publishers offered a similar card for the moon. After all, the moon can be studied from even the most light-polluted environment with perfect clarity, and can stave-off those withdrawal shakes often expereineced when it's been too long since we last "fired-up" a telescope. It's a good list. Author Wood covers all the classic lunar features, as well as a few that I had never considered looking at. Many will require a certain illumination geometry (lunar phase) in order to see, due to shadows, or a favorable libration if they are near the lunar limb. I can see getting through the entire list taking several months, at least, if one is at the eyepiece on every useable night. It will probably take me a year or more to see them all. And even though I have seen many of them before, sometimes decades ago, I want to revisit them all. My only complaint is that the card is not laminated, unlike the Messier and Caldwell cards previously published by Sky Publishing. Hopefully they will offer a laminated version soon. In the meantime, I may scan it and make disposable copies, or find a laminating service and preserve at least one of the two copies I ordered. My goal is observe all of the "Lunar 100" with as small an aperture as possible, leaning on my years of experience and pushing myself personally. I will only give into a larger aperture if I find it absolutely necessary for a positive ID, or if the feature otherwise impresses me enough to warrant a better look. So, my first impression of the S&T "Lunar 100" card is over-all favorable, though for the asking price, a laminated, water-proof (dew-proof) product would have been much preferred. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
Thank* you*, Rich! Most public star-parties are held at times when the moon is in the sky and light pollution predominates due to location. Not too many DS objects available for the general public's viewing. And when the moon is in the eyepiece, it's almost always a low-power view of the entire lunar disk. Wouldn't it be nice if more telescopes were zoomed-in on some specific, interesting lunar feature, and the scope owner was knowledgeable enough to comment on the geography (selenography) seen in the eyepiece? When I was a kid, just starting out in this hobby, I used to use my highest available magnification, and just allow the moon to drift across the field, taking in the landscape and imagining that I was in an Apollo spacecraft, orbiting the moon and watching the real-estate drift below me. Those were the days. I think there's still a lot of eyepiece magic to be found on the moon. On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 1:22 PM, Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> wrote:
Thanks for the review Chuck -- I confess I've never done any serious lunar observing, but have meant to. Sounds like this would be a good way to start.
In addition to the S&T Lunar card that Chuck has referred to, check out the following: http://astronomyinutah.forumer.com/moon-features-day-by-day-t1155689.html Many years ago, I came across documents that highlight good lunar targets that are organized into day-by-day bites. As a way to get them into hands of other observers, I posted them on the astronomy in Utah forum for anyone to download and enjoy. I found them very useful as an introduction to lunar observing. Check 'em out, perhaps they will help you discover that the moon can be a satisfying target for your telescopes and/or imaging systems. Mat -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 6:55 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] S&T Lunar 100 Card Thank* you*, Rich! Most public star-parties are held at times when the moon is in the sky and light pollution predominates due to location. Not too many DS objects available for the general public's viewing. And when the moon is in the eyepiece, it's almost always a low-power view of the entire lunar disk. Wouldn't it be nice if more telescopes were zoomed-in on some specific, interesting lunar feature, and the scope owner was knowledgeable enough to comment on the geography (selenography) seen in the eyepiece? When I was a kid, just starting out in this hobby, I used to use my highest available magnification, and just allow the moon to drift across the field, taking in the landscape and imagining that I was in an Apollo spacecraft, orbiting the moon and watching the real-estate drift below me. Those were the days. I think there's still a lot of eyepiece magic to be found on the moon. On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 1:22 PM, Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> wrote:
Thanks for the review Chuck -- I confess I've never done any serious lunar observing, but have meant to. Sounds like this would be a good way to start.
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended recipients. The information contained herein may include trade secrets, protected health or personal information, privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your system. Thank you for your cooperation
I have a barrel that has seen several mirrors comer to fruition. It has not seen any use for quite some time and is looking for a good home. It is a standard 55 gallon drum and measures about 34.5 inches tall and is about 24 inches in diameter. Just for you, Patrick that's 880 mm tall and 610 mm in diameter. It has a 3/4 inch (19 mm) plywood work surface bolted to the top. Any takers? If it becomes yours for the surprisingly affordable price of free, you will need to pick it up at my hangar. Brent
Thank you Mat for the information I have downloaded all of the Day information. NOW I have to get using it. Mark Mark Shelton Indian Hills Middle School CTE Tech Ed. Teacher Salt Lake Astronomical Society Board Member (School and Special Star Parties Coordinator) ________________________________ From: "Hutchings, Mat" <mat.hutchings@siemens.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 2:33 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] S&T Lunar 100 Card In addition to the S&T Lunar card that Chuck has referred to, check out the following: http://astronomyinutah.forumer.com/moon-features-day-by-day-t1155689.html Many years ago, I came across documents that highlight good lunar targets that are organized into day-by-day bites. As a way to get them into hands of other observers, I posted them on the astronomy in Utah forum for anyone to download and enjoy. I found them very useful as an introduction to lunar observing. Check 'em out, perhaps they will help you discover that the moon can be a satisfying target for your telescopes and/or imaging systems. Mat -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 6:55 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] S&T Lunar 100 Card Thank* you*, Rich! Most public star-parties are held at times when the moon is in the sky and light pollution predominates due to location. Not too many DS objects available for the general public's viewing. And when the moon is in the eyepiece, it's almost always a low-power view of the entire lunar disk. Wouldn't it be nice if more telescopes were zoomed-in on some specific, interesting lunar feature, and the scope owner was knowledgeable enough to comment on the geography (selenography) seen in the eyepiece? When I was a kid, just starting out in this hobby, I used to use my highest available magnification, and just allow the moon to drift across the field, taking in the landscape and imagining that I was in an Apollo spacecraft, orbiting the moon and watching the real-estate drift below me. Those were the days. I think there's still a lot of eyepiece magic to be found on the moon. On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 1:22 PM, Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> wrote:
Thanks for the review Chuck -- I confess I've never done any serious lunar observing, but have meant to. Sounds like this would be a good way to start.
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". This message and any attachments are solely for the use of intended recipients. The information contained herein may include trade secrets, protected health or personal information, privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you received this email in error, and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your system. Thank you for your cooperation _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
participants (5)
-
Brent Watson -
Chuck Hards -
Hutchings, Mat -
Mark Shelton -
Richard Tenney