True Martian's VLog: Supernova SN 2011dh in the whirlpool galaxy.

[mikeanaro20]

hey i live in cleveland ohio! i also have a question what telescope is better? this is gonna be my first non-cheap telescope and i want to get a good one so is this one

Orion AstroView 90mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope

or

Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope 8 inch

better?

im turning 13 in october and with my birthday money i want to buy a telescope

[truemartian]

@mikeanaro20 I would chose the XT8 Classic over the 90mm. Simply because at this stage in your hobby you are going to want a scope thats easy on you. A dob is the simplest scope to deal with when it comes to setup and transportation. You might consider also the weight. An XT6 Classic is smaller and less heavy than the XT8. Also the larger diameter will beat out the 90mm refractor when it comes to resolution and brightness. If you end up like the rest of us as you age you will probably have both.

[brucenunn37]

Wow... a 14' bet that's a huge scope.. im looking to get a bigger one.. i still have my SpaceProbe 130 ST EQ. i think its a 5 in..?? was lookin at an 8 or 10 in Dob.. hey, does those GoTo things are they worth the money? looked like that would take out the thrill of hunting the objects ur self..?? one i looked at had a "push to" computerized object locater on it? is that a waste? it was a 10in with 254 Aperture..! will i see a big difference if i moved up to an 8 in scope? thanks!!

[truemartian]

@brucenunn37 If you already know how to find objects manually you can save yourself some money and an extra step in aligning the computer to the sky by not getting a "Push To". The only person I know who had an experience with a "push to" didn't seem impressed with it. As far as GoTo scopes go. Its a chore to align the computer to the sky sometimes but if you want a scope to track an object for prolonged study of an object or imaging then you might consider a GoTo equatorial.

[truemartian]

@brucenunn37 I think you will notice a difference between a 5 and an 8. Most def between a 5 and 10. I even notice a difference between my 4.5 and 6.

[brucenunn37]

@truemartian ---- Well, not sure witch one to get. was wonting the more Aperture but, it will be alot bigger then my 5 in.. haha but, i can do alot of my observing from the backyard witch isnt far. i still havnt too my 5 in away from these city lights. we dont have too many lights but its still noticable, u think it would be different in a darker location.? im leaning towards the 10 inch. hey, and what about the computerized stuff..?? waste of money? their hight too..!!

[truemartian]

@brucenunn37 I personally think "Push Tos" are a waste. Especially if you can find objects on your own. Its like an electronic setting circle. GoTos are a little different in that they also automatically track objects. Even though I have a GoTo I only use the computer for auto tracking purposes. I usually find the object myself. You will def notice a difference in darker locations. It can be shocking actually, how much you miss because of light pollution.

[brucenunn37]

@truemartian --- i was thinking the same thing about "push to's" .. i plan on finding them myself, plus it will help me learn an i just think it will be more rewarding.  im getting pretty good a judging were things are altho some things are hard to find. u've got me wonting to find a darker location now.. haha.. really looking to get a larger scope, still not sure witch way to go. having one that tracks objects sounds nice.. instead of loosing it in ur field of view. 10 in or 8 u think?

[truemartian]

@brucenunn37 lol I'm leaving the 10 or 8 issue up to you man. lol Either one is going to do the job. You are so right about finding things on your own as being rewarding. Gotos and PushTos take that reward away for sure.

[brucenunn37]

@truemartian --- Good awnser..!! haha.. would u recomend going with a Dobsonian...? yeah i feel like when i start learning my constillations better i wont have trouble making my way around the sky. would be nice to have one that keeps the object in the eyepice tho.. will dobs move while looking in the eyepice? if there nudged any? i went looking for a dark location last nite about 1 in the morning.. haha.. found a nice place, plus its elevated above any city lights.. and DARK..!!

[truemartian]

@brucenunn37 Def go dob. They are firm and sturdy and when you travel to your new location you'll thank me for recommending it. lol They are a breeze to set up and transport.

[brucenunn37]

@truemartian -- Even if i got a 10 in u think it would be easy to set up? im leaning towards it.. u dont have to north pole align dobs do u?

[truemartian]

@brucenunn37 A 10 will be heavy, make no mistake. But it will be easy to use and you don't have to polar align dobs. They are simple altitude-azimuth mounts.

[Gik1618]

We are essentially looking at a nuclear explosion but on a much larger scale. This supernova may have even resulted in the extinction of hundreds of civilisations, so although marvelous, it is one of the most destructive occurrences in nature!

Unfortunately it's been overcast around here for a while so I wasn't able to see it with my telescope.

How long will the supernova be visible do you reckon?

[truemartian]

@Gik1618 I'm not exactly sure how long it will be visible. You can visit the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) site (aavso.org) and get a current light curve chart for it by typing in SN 2011dh. As of this message(June 13th) the AAVSO site showed that its observed light curve had risen (magnitude decreased) since I observed it on Sunday, June 5th. Unfortunately the moon is going to interfere with observing it visually now.

[mrastronomy15]

Oh yea and great video truemartian! That is so interesting that there is a supernova in the wirlpool galaxy!

[truemartian]

@mrastronomy15 Thanks! Yes, it was great to observe my first supernova visually ever!

[mrastronomy15]

@S69NER anybody can study astronomy, I am turning 15 and I studied astronomy for about 2 years. If I could you could.

[JCue23]

you should put up a video showing how to use your star hop charts... love the videos please keep them coming!

[truemartian]

@JCue23 What an excellent suggestion! Thanks!

[S69NER]

aww i wish i could study astronomy

[dannypantsgm]

Very cool. I'm afraid my little eight inch dob won't do the trick so it's off to the observatorium for me.

[truemartian]

@dannypantsgm You may not be able to see the supernova but you can still see the galaxy.

[dannypantsgm]

@truemartian True, and a sight it is.

[Turkeylegs39]

first



[gmaninthusa]

Nice