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Physics and astronomy thread (1 Viewer)

jb1020 said:
As a beginner myself, I'd recommend you go with a Dobsonian telescope.  A few years ago I was in your spot and bought a similar scope.  It was on an equatorial mount, like that one in the link.  I had so much trouble with it.   It was just a tad overwhelming to me. 

I went with this 6 inch Dob.   If I had it to do over I should have gone with the 8 inch.  Either way, I was able to get it set up in an hour or so then come nightfall you can dial in on about any planet in no time.  Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn take no time to find and focus on.   I haven't looked at any deep space objects yet, but from what I learned early on is what people post pictures of is NOT what you see in your telescope. 

It is a big scope, which is its major downside.  I haven't traveled with it yet.  It wouldn't be impossible, but definitely not easy.    

I just ordered a phone adapter, but haven't tried it out yet. 

I don't know anything about the computerized scopes.  Thats going to be my next purchase, but I'm in no rush.   
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I keep putting this purchase off myself, but as I was looking at the 2 different telescopes you guys linked, I noticed the Dobsonian has a kitted option for $20 more. 

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-SkyQuest-XT6-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope-Kit/p/116304.uts

The additional items are:

Orion Shorty 2x Barlow Lens, 1.25"
Orion Star Target planisphere
Orion MoonMap 260
Orion Telescope Observer's Guide book
Orion RedBeam Mini LED keychain flashlight

The Barlow is $40 on that site to begin with and is the main thing I was looking for.  Sounds like that is a useful piece for the non-deep space objects.  

I know these are labeled as "beginner" scopes.  Not sure how to phrase my question, but maybe the more experienced people here can comment.....how long did you stay with a beginner scope and is it possible that this type of scope will be good enough to never have to upgrade?  Do the next level scopes simply allow you to get "deeper" objects more clearly or are there other advantages to upgrading off of scopes like these?

 
To close off on my post, I ended up going with the Celestron 130 EQ.  I’ve had some success so far (pretty cool getting up close and personal with the moon and Jupiter and its moons from my backyard), but still getting the hang of it.

Already added on a few things like the 2x Barlow lens and also bought a moon filter.  I should probably just have bought the set of filters and extensions that Celestron offers for $200, as I’m sure I’ll end up buying separately, but I’ve been going piecemeal so far.

 
Bobcat10 said:
I know these are labeled as "beginner" scopes.  Not sure how to phrase my question, but maybe the more experienced people here can comment.....how long did you stay with a beginner scope and is it possible that this type of scope will be good enough to never have to upgrade?  Do the next level scopes simply allow you to get "deeper" objects more clearly or are there other advantages to upgrading off of scopes like these?
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I'll try and answer, but I have no idea if its an accurate answer.  

That Dob is so easy to use I'd definitely consider it a beginner scope and it was perfect for me.  

Having used it 8-10 times over the last year I do start to wish I had the next step up.    In my mind, the next step up is something on a motor that can track objects, maybe something that can adapt to astrophotography?  

 
Don Quixote said:
To close off on my post, I ended up going with the Celestron 130 EQ.  I’ve had some success so far (pretty cool getting up close and personal with the moon and Jupiter and its moons from my backyard), but still getting the hang of it.

Already added on a few things like the 2x Barlow lens and also bought a moon filter.  I should probably just have bought the set of filters and extensions that Celestron offers for $200, as I’m sure I’ll end up buying separately, but I’ve been going piecemeal so far.
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Increasing the power will decrease the brightness, especially with the 2x Barlow. Also increasing the power helps on the Sun (make sure you have solar filter), moon and some planets but all the stars continue to be points of light.  Also increasing the power makes it more difficult to find the objects as the angle of view is reduced. I always enjoyed looking at the sunspots. 

 
Tolstoy said:
It’s probably more common than I think, but still kind of cool
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I think it turned out to be a good time for me to finally buy a telescope.  Lots of planets to see at night.  Looking forward to the Saturn-Jupiter conjunction in December.

The Mars-Moon conjunction last week was pretty cool, and I got a good picture of that with my camera.

 
Don Quixote said:
I think it turned out to be a good time for me to finally buy a telescope.  Lots of planets to see at night.  Looking forward to the Saturn-Jupiter conjunction in December.

The Mars-Moon conjunction last week was pretty cool, and I got a good picture of that with my camera.
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Sounds like you caught pink eye from your new telescope. 

 
VIDEO: 🎥 👉  👉  A Journey to the End of the Universe  👈 👈 
 

Could humans ever travel to other galaxies within their lifetime? The immense scale of the Universe seems to prohibit such voyages, after all the nearest galaxy is so far away that it takes light itself - the fastest thing in the Universe - 2.5 million years to complete the trip. Remarkably, there is a trick that might allow humans to accomplish this feat - join us today as we step onboard the constantly accelerating spaceship!

Written and presented by Professor David Kipping.
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Bracie Smathers said:
IDEO: 🎥 👉  👉  A Journey to the End of the Universe  👈 👈 
 

Could humans ever travel to other galaxies within their lifetime? The immense scale of the Universe seems to prohibit such voyages, after all the nearest galaxy is so far away that it takes light itself - the fastest thing in the Universe - 2.5 million years to complete the trip. Remarkably, there is a trick that might allow humans to accomplish this feat - join us today as we step onboard the constantly accelerating spaceship!

Written and presented by Professor David Kipping.
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In this forum, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

 
The nasa asteroid probe is going to grab and go, I think tomorrow. Been orbiting and travelling with it for I think two years. Crazy, amazing, crazy business- the whole thing. 

Pretty sure the Japanese version is almost home with its zombie apocalypse payload.

It's been nice knowing you all 

 
El Floppo said:
The nasa asteroid probe is going to grab and go, I think tomorrow. Been orbiting and travelling with it for I think two years. Crazy, amazing, crazy business- the whole thing. 

Pretty sure the Japanese version is almost home with its zombie apocalypse payload.

It's been nice knowing you all 
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The Andromeda Strain

 
Space X Crew Dragon heading to the ISS with 4 astronauts in two hours. 1st commercial space flight there...kinda big deal.

Being shuttled to the rocket in teslas. Because musk can't help himself with some cheap advertising 

Eta...just said 50/50 due to weather

 
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I really don't know much about astronomy, but I've loved seeing Mars over the last few weeks.  I run early, before sunrise, but even now not early enough to catch it before it sets.  Venus is awesome in the east, as well.

This morning I was out on the trails before sunrise, and for the first time ever, was able to identify a constellation (other than the big dipper):  Orion.

Felt :nerd:  but also cool at the same time.

Now you guys are going to jump in an say Orion is not actually visible right now, but I feel pretty good I got it right.  

 
El Floppo said:
Space X Crew Dragon heading to the ISS with 4 astronauts in two hours. 1st commercial space flight there...kinda big deal.

Being shuttled to the rocket in teslas. Because musk can't help himself with some cheap advertising 

Eta...just said 50/50 due to weather
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5 minutes to launch.

Live on the Discovery Channel

 
Zasada said:
I really don't know much about astronomy, but I've loved seeing Mars over the last few weeks.  I run early, before sunrise, but even now not early enough to catch it before it sets.  Venus is awesome in the east, as well.

This morning I was out on the trails before sunrise, and for the first time ever, was able to identify a constellation (other than the big dipper):  Orion.

Felt :nerd:  but also cool at the same time.

Now you guys are going to jump in an say Orion is not actually visible right now, but I feel pretty good I got it right.  
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The reddish color star at Orion's shoulder (upper left) is called Betelgeuse.  It is a Red Supergiant about 20 times the mass of our Sun and one of the largest stars visible to us with just our eyes..  If it were in the place of our Sun, its size would occupy space out past the orbit of Jupiter.  Should be a fun show when it supernovas in 100,000 years or so...

The bright star at the lower right is Rigel.  It is a Blue Supergiant.  It is a variable star which fluctuates in brightness, but is typically the 7th brightest star in the sky (not including the sun).  It is a good candidate to form a neutron star or possibly a black hole when it supernovas sometime in the distant future.  It is actually part of a triple star system...3 stars orbiting a common center of mass, but its partners are smaller and dimmer.  They can not be seen with the naked eye.

 
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In a little bit of trouble on orbit.  Half the propellant heaters are not working.  They have perhaps 12 hrs to resolve this or consider a deorbit

 
The Z Machine said:
They'll link up with the ISS soon i think.  I wonder if the dragon crew slept at all in microgravity last night...
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I watched it live in the background while watching the USMNT on dvr.

Those guy looked like they were just chilling and playing video games during link up...which I suppose they were, considering it was almost entirely autonomous.

I missed the final hatch opening with those guys tumbling out in their spiffy outfits, but I saw the blonde woman on ISS defy gravity with her pony tail while opening everything else up.

Very cool stuff.

 
Looks like they are on board the ISS.  Seemed like a pretty smooth ride.  Not sure which is more scary, getting up, or going back down...  There have been mishaps both ways.

 
The Z Machine said:
Looks like they are on board the ISS.  Seemed like a pretty smooth ride.  Not sure which is more scary, getting up, or going back down...  There have been mishaps both ways.
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Going down sucks from a passenger perspective.  Pretty common to have motion sickness/nausea for days afterwards, but is quite bad doing it as a capsule fall during the event coming out of the ISS.  

 
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