Astro Nut

Do you use a LapTop out in the field?
Do you need something to keep your night vision?

I just came across this (FREE) program that is pretty slick
DarkAdapted
DarkAdapted is a gamma control application program. It modifies your screen gamma settings so that you may, for example, preserve your dark adaptation while using your computer.

I just got my DeepMap 600 and I am more than impressed with it.
If you are looking to observe more than just the Messier objects or the Herschel 400 then this is the map for you!
DeepMap 600 is more biased towards interesting galaxies and nebulae.
DM600 contains a list of 85 interesting double and multiple stars, and stars that exhibit interesting color..
DM600 contains a list of 22 interesting variable stars.

You can get yours here
DeepMap 600

Here’s a pretty good example of light pollution:
This drawing was done from my moderately light polluted backyard
There are about 5 street lamps around my house
This drawing was done from my dark site 20 miles away

both of these are M22 found in Sagittarius.
as you can see the effects of pretty dramatic.

The town I live in is moderately sized about 35,000 so the light pollution is not horrendous as it is in large cities but it still bad enough to make a huge difference.

click on thumb for a big picture
This is M22 found in Sagittarius This is one of the “EASY TO FIND GLOBULAR CLUSTERS“.
You can see it with a set of binos very easy.
From a dark site I rate this better then M13.
It is truly a spectacular globular cluster well worth the time to hunt down and study!

This drawning was done using my 10 inch DOB with a 15mm 84x

This is a the log book format that I am using, you can download it HERE
One of the best things you can do is to LOG EVERYTHING YOU VIEW
I can’t tell yo how many times I have looked at a star chart and say “yes I have seen that” but never logged it.

And it does not count if don’t log it!

click on thumb for a big picture
I got some more scope time in last night.
It was not the best viewing but its better then nothing.
I have been looking for M10 and M12 in Ophiuchus for a couple of weeks now and last night I FOUND M10 I could not find M12 thru all of the ground haze!

M10 was discovered 1764 by Charles Messier.
and is a 7th mag globular cluster.
It is 14,300 light years away from us!

click on thumb for a big picture
Star Log 7 July 06
Once again the weather cleared up, it was a spectacular morning.
M31 the Andromeda galaxy is one of my favorite targets.
Easily found with binoculars from light polluted backyards
and is naked eye visible from a dark site
Object: NGC 224 - M31 - Andromeda Galaxy
Deepsky Catalog: NGC 2000
Date Observed: 7/7/2006 3:41:31 AM
Time Observed: 03:00UT
Object Type: Gx
Constellation: And
Magnitude: 3.5
Size: 178
Locate Method: Star Hopping
Object Rating: A
Primary Equipment Used: 10″ Dob
Power/Magnification Used: 15mm 84 pwr

click on picture for a big picture
Last night we had a bit of good weather so I got some scope time in.
Object: NGC 6779 - M56
Date Observed: 7/6/2006 8:28:39 AM
Time Observed: 01:30UT
Object Type: Gb
Constellation: Lyr
Magnitude: 8.3
Size: 7.1
Object Rating: B
Primary Equipment Used: 10″ Dob
Power/Magnification Used: PWR 84 / 15MM

From the backyard this a a VERY FF.
It is halfway between Lyra and Albireo.
I could not find it using my 32MM