Re: East Africa and binoculars.

From: Alex (spam_at_sux.nl)
Date: 06/07/04 

Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 21:35:05 +0200

On Mon, 07 Jun 2004 17:32:04 +0000, francis marion said this:

> 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.

Ok, but I will be going to the serengeti wich is the biggest conservation
area in the world so no big cities there. :)
And I have read some experiences by other people and they all said the sky
was superb. So I'm hoping to see alot of stars.

>
> 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.

Ok thanks for clearifying.
And I just found out that the Orion Nebula won't be visible in east Africa
and neither will saturn.

>
> 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.

Probably, but with the print I just made I know at least in wich
constellation I'm looking or should be looking, wich still is a
bit confuzing to me.

>
> 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.

We'll see about that, I live in the Netherland wich isn't exactly light
pollution friendly and is covert in cloud almost 150 days a year.
But maybe I like it that much that I don't care and start watching anyway.
>
> Have fun in Africa,

Thanks.

>
> F Marion 

-- 
......GNU......
Omnis enim res,
quae dando non deficit,
dum habetur et non datur,
nondum habetur,
quomodo habenda est.

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