Re: East Africa and binoculars.

From: francis marion (francis_marion_at_comcast.net)
Date: 06/07/04 

Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 17:32:04 GMT

Stars, lots of stars.

If you've never used binocs for star gazing everything will be new.

Don't worry about what your seeing, just enjoy the view.

Spend most of your time with the binoculars AWAY from your eyes, the view
should be beautiful, assuming
your far away from light pollution. I don't imagine that the lighting of
cities in Africa is any different than cities
elsewhere. Light pollution is light pollution.

With those binoculars you will just be able to detect the rings of Saturn,
but see them clearly? No.

Some shape to Omega Centauri or the Orion Nebula? Sure........ some, but
not a whole
heck of a lot.

If your not familiar with the night sky and haven't spent much time
observing in the past, I don't think
that having any software is going to make locating the objects shown in the
program easy.

In fact, the darker the skies the more stars you'll see and the easier it
will be to get confused.

If after you return from your trip, and if you get really jazzed up about
the night sky, I would suggest
finding a local astronomy group, or if your not into groups, get a
planisphere, go outside on a clear night
and start learning.

Have fun in Africa,

F Marion

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