SingAstro

Hi everyone! I'm 100% new to astronomy so I'm hoping to get help from all of you seasoned shifus

I'm kind of completely stupid with regard to telescopes and binoculars and all that, but I'm going to learn more about them and I may even get myself some new equipment in the future. Right now I own a 16x50 Field 3.5 pair of binoculars, and it would be really useful if I knew what that actually means. Anyone can help me here?

I first started stargazing this Dec, on the 20th - I think it was an unusually clear night and I had only recently bought a guide to astronomy so it was a perfect opportunity to try looking for constellations in the sky. The first time I looked at the night sky and saw so many stars I was awe-struck and amazed, but also very saddened about Singapore's light pollution. ):

Because I'm still very new to all this and it's always good to start with basics, I decided to try to familiarise myself with the night sky first, and that meant figuring out the constellations using my naked eye. To my surprise, I saw quite a lot: Orion, Lepus, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Triangulum, Aries, Andromeda, Cetus and Pegasus, but not all of them in full. Also I saw the Pleiades and the Orion nebula (very, very faintly because my binoculars aren't powerful enough!)

But the whole point of this is to ask you guys: What other deep-sky objects do you think I can look for, considering the range of constellations I can view and the magnification of my binoculars?

Sorry this is a very ma-fan and specific question, but it'll be great if y'all could offer some advice to me Btw, I think this forum is an awesome idea, because it gives all of us with a common interest and opportunity to band together and share, especially since it's hard to find people in Singapore who are so interested in astronomy - most people just write it off as impossible in a light-polluted city such as ours. Here's to clear night skies!

Plinia

Hi there Plinia!

First of all, welcome to Singastro! Yes, back in July when I first started out I was also a complete newbie, and I had not bought any astronomy-related books either. All I did was browse through articles online, as well as SingastroWiki. I went out for my first observation session on 5th July and got to meet a number of NUS students. Learn quite a lot, and saw quite a number of objects such as the Jewel Box and more through their telescope. Had a nice chat with one of the more experienced astronomer and picked up quite a lot.

Then I went to do some research on binoculars, before I decided to get a pair of 10x42 Vixen binoculars from McGill, as well as "The Night Sky" planisphere by David Chandler in August. Basically for a starter, I'd suggest you get a planisphere (if you don't already have one). It's a piece of plastic, or cardboard (in my case) wheel that you can rotate to match the current date and time, and shows you objects that are visible to the naked eye or binoculars. As we are in the Northern hemisphere, you should get the correct version. Then find a dark place, lay a floor mat, lie down and stare at the skies on a very good night. Then try to find object by referring to your planisphere.

For the binoculars, if you read SingastroWiki, the first number is the magnification, and the second is the aperture of your binoculars. Usually we'd recommend something around 10x50 or lesser because anything more than a 10x magnification will be too heavy to hold for long periods and may cause neck strains.

Going more into the magnification and aperture of the binoculars, the magnification is of course the magnification the binoculars provide, 10x being 10x, haha. The aperture is the "light gathering power" of the binoculars, the higher the aperture, the more light it can collect, and thus more dim objects can be seen. But if you go higher than 10x50, you most probably require a proper tripod as higher magnification will mean that a slightest shake will cause the image to shake so much that you can't see anything at all. The purpose of a pair of binoculars is for casual astronomy as you can find objects easier, and portable as it can be handheld. Personally, I don't see any point in using a pair of binoculars on the tripod, as it isn't so portable if you have to bring along a tripod. Instead, save up for a telescope as you can purchase different eyepieces to give you different magnification. It will reveal more details than a pair of binoculars can offer.

Okay, back to the planisphere and object finding. You should download Stellarium, it's a planetarium software that allows you to see what celestial objects are up in realtime. It's because if you want to observe planets (well, usually through a telescope as a pair of binoculars would not reveal much details) the planisphere does not include them. The software allows you to see what object is in the sky right now and updates realtime as well as supporting fast forward or backwards. The reason for a planisphere is because it's a portable cardboard/plastic item that you can carry with you out on observations, as you probably would not want to carry your laptop with you to observe, would you? The software is good for letting you know where to look for the objects, and as you get more and more familiar with the night sky, you will find it easier and easier to find objects.

Right now, I think you can try to look for Andromeda Galaxy, it's near the Square of Pegasus, follow the line and you'll find a dim, or foggy-looking star-like object haha. Other than that, you can look for the Orion nebula, Pleiades and other star clusters like the M6 Butterfly Cluster, Beehive Cluster and more. Binoculars are more for widefield astronomy with its low magnification, so don't expect to get much details as you'll be disappointed. I got the binoculars first to test out my interest in astronomy as I didn't want to take the plunge in getting a telescope and not using it after a while. I went out to observe whenever I had free time with my binoculars and as I find more objects, it gets easier and I was tempted to get a telescope to see more details. So eventually I began saving up for a scope in October (after I finished my Os, I started working), and I finally managed to collect my telescope on Christmas day itself. It was my best Christmas present ever... from myself to myself, haha!

I'll start to do observations as and when I'm free around my area in Hougang (weather-dependant), near the open field @ Buangkok MRT, and may also go join weixing in Tampines when I'm free on the weekends. Hopefully the skies will clear soon. You may join us anytime you like and we can exchange information and share the joy of observing together. Send us a PM for contact numbers if you do wish to join us during our sessions. (:

And with that, once again.. WELCOME TO SINGASTRO!!! I'm Zane and nice to have a new friend and fellow astronomer to join our ranks! xD

Hi Plinia
Welcome to Singastro! You've taken the first step already from what you described. Learning the common constellations is a must even for goto users because at least that gives you a general direction on what you are looking at. Do join the impropmtu sessions that popped up here occasionally such as joining Zephyrus. The Science Centre holds sessions also every Friday night as long as the sky is clear.
You can also read up all the FAQ listed in Singastro too.

Hi,
Welcome to SingAstro!!

To my surprise, I saw quite a lot: Orion, Lepus, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Triangulum, Aries, Andromeda, Cetus and Pegasus,

WOW!! Not bad leh.. I think you know more constellation than I... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

Hi Plinia

Why, of course, welcome to Singastro. I see you already have a pair of binos. Its excellent. Back when i was 13(when i started out to stare into the heavens) i got a 10-30x50 bino. The magnification, you see, is not that as important as the aperture(the number behind the x). The higher the aperture, the more you get to see, but the higher the magnification the lesser you see. Don't take me wrong, its just that the aperture is more important.

Use your bino to view the sky. After a few months, only if you are still in to stargazing, then you can consider to buy a telescope. What do you see when you look through your scope? Do you see glorious star, planets, and deep space in brilliant colours? Not! Well, you will see most objects in pale colours. ( Just a little fact)

Choosing a scope is hard but lets just stick to your bino. Hmm... you should be able to see to see M41 just 4' south of Sirius, the hydes cluster above the bull's eye alderbaran, M35 in Germini (beside the eta star)

Try searching online and if you have any problems or things to ask feel free to PM the mage(hehe fancy name for me) or anyother members!

Sorry, but just to add that the moon and the Omega Centauri are also excellent sights for binos.

weixing wrote:Hi,
Welcome to SingAstro!!

To my surprise, I saw quite a lot: Orion, Lepus, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Triangulum, Aries, Andromeda, Cetus and Pegasus,

WOW!! Not bad leh.. I think you know more constellation than I... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

haha. true. i think she know wayy better then me. oh well.

HI! welcome to on board!

83.giggles wrote: haha. true. i think she know wayy better then me. oh well.

Oh dont worry. i think think i know way less than you.!