Anyone into Astronomy ?

BadzMaro SG

Before we can even understand the depths of our oceans, mankind have looked into the stars and often wondered what was out there. Why is the universe the way it is.

To-date, one of the most powerful telescopes ever to be built will be the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. With unprecedented sensitivity, resolution, and imaging capability, ALMA will explore the Universe via millimeter- and submillimeter-wavelength light, one of astronomy's last frontiers.

When it is completed, it will include at least 66 of those radio telescopes that can be moved to span 10 miles of desert, creating nearly 71,000 square feet of radio light collecting area. It will shed new light into the far reaches of space.

For amateurs like us with only our reflector and refractor telescopes, using current software technologies, we can also discover planets, stars and comets, albeit with some serious patience.

So who here have such interest ?

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Me!

I took a scorpio and orion constellation before, this year probably trying aquarius The scorpio one is memorable cos I spend 2 hours in the wee morning taking it. The orion one is easier. I show her photographs but my gf no appreciate it. Guess it's in her recycle bin now~

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Two years ago also went to attempt Leonids, and I was very lucky to spot few meteoroid flying directly infront of my scope. Also that same year, went to catch germinide shower.

BadzMaro SG

Nice !

What did u use ?

And you should show her through the lens.... not through pictures eh.

Anyways, I only got around to Astronomy last year.

Using my reflector telescope, I manage to see Jupiter and Saturn. I tried to find Jupiter's moon but could not get my celestial position right.

But using my friend's digital refractor telescope, I managed to see the Diamond Star Clusters. And also managed to peer into the centre of the universe where all the stars seems to be converging. Using his telescope, I manage to see the big 4 moons orbiting Jupiter!

I also managed to locate the Alpha Centuri. And also the Southern Cross.

Damn.. u managed to see the metoer shower of Leonids ? Nice!

Darkness_hacker99 SG

For Leonids, I only managed to catch a small glimpse because I wasn't at the right place. For geminid shower, I went to a place up Woodland reservoir Kranji Way. It was awesomely. If you drive, you can park at the road.

Few years back when I first started out, usually astronomy website would have a list of items for newbie like me to bring. I didn't bring insert repellent mossie were happy to see me!

I used beginner lense set not worth mentioning when I first started out. For digital photography, I used a compact with 1 min shutter exposure. Come to think about it, I should invest in a better equipment now

Darkness_hacker99 SG

It's very handy to have a sky map with you when you doing star catching. They even have a usd $4.99 iphone app for that~

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Nice !

What did u use ?

And you should show her through the lens.... not through pictures eh.

Anyways, I only got around to Astronomy last year.

Using my reflector telescope, I manage to see Jupiter and Saturn. I tried to find Jupiter's moon but could not get my celestial position right.

I also managed to locate the Alpha Centuri. And also the Southern Cross.

Damn.. u managed to see the metoer shower of Leonids ? Nice!

WOW! your friend have nice equipments~

BadzMaro SG

Few years back when I first started out, usually astronomy website would have a list of items for newbie like me to bring. I didn't bring insert repellent mossie were happy to see me!

ha ha.. lol. Yes.. the repellents. Kranji Way eh. Noted. I was at Lake Tekapo, NZ when we set ours up. Due to our physical location and the country's geographical positioning, we had the entire view of the Southern Hemisphere.

My friend was using this big and heavy refractor with Meade's Starlock Technology. He was punching in numbers and the thing just auto rotated... oh man... I really want to get myself one of those.. he said it cost him close to 20K. Mine was less than a grand. lol

Now I am beginning to understand a bit of the lens talk camera people been talking about

I used the iphone's StarWalk lol.. and the Nokia's Stellarium.

I hope to get myself one of those automated mount end of this year.. =D

Darkness_hacker99 SG

I went Kraji Way because I wanna avoid the popular astronomy place in sg~ I don't like to watch the sky with a group of astronomy hobbist very noisy~ they usually set up at Ubin & sentosa; at southern. I went up North @ woodland it's not bad too~ peaceful and quiet.

fuuuwoahh!!! $20K~ my money in CPF...

BadzMaro SG

fuuuwoahh!!! $20K~ my money in CPF...

Thats when u bring a girl ma... and then let her peer through the scope and watch her exclaim in delight how it looks like gliterring diamonds. :P

I know aye..20K. I was like FOOH... and he says got more expensive ones. That's why I spent most of the time peering through his instead of mine.

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Finally found a forumer with same hobby liao~

BadzMaro SG

Sui la! Update on any celestial movements or of interests k. Cause depending on where I am and where you are, the clarity may be different also.

Darkness_hacker99 SG

that would be awesome!

BadzMaro SG

One interesting date should be 21st of December. lol

Darkness_hacker99 SG

I might be in camp on that day or maybe booked out from camp that evening

BadzMaro SG

Hope its not solar flares crashing into us. Or gigantus moon coming our way.

If got any nice pictures, please post too. lol

Obersturmfuhrer SG

Been into Astronomy for quite some time already but never got round to owning a tube...

Fcukpap SG

wat do u guys think of worldwide telecope by microsoft?

BadzMaro SG

NASA needs YOU!

Consider becoming an official Planet Hunter and find planets outside our solar system.

The Planet Hunters program is a collaboration between astronomers at Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Yale and the University of Oxford.

There are currently more than 40,000 people participating in the Planet Hunter program. They are many volunteers, with no scientific experienec whatsoever.

Their job is to visually analyze computer graphs which depict light emitted from distant stars, in the hopes of finding the requisite dips and patterns which signify a planet transiting their star.

You can compile and set your own calculations or use thier pre-existing formula to determine the likelihood of said planet parameters.

CLICK HERE