by apodman » Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:33 am
I like Virgo because I can find it.
If I can find Leo (and who can't), I can find Virgo.
If I can find the Big Dipper (and what northerner can't), I can follow the curve of the handle to Arcturus and thence to Spica (the ear of grain in Virgo's lap, so there I am).
If I could memorize the rest of the sky as easily, I'd be a lot better at observing.
My other problem with observing is too many stars. At home, I can see the 15 brightest stars in the sky (plus planets) when I've gotten out from under the trees into the light polution, and that's it. So the geometry of the heavens is uncomplicated. If I go 200 miles west into the hills, there are so many stars and nebulae to see that I lose my guide stars amongst the clutter. I'm not complaining, but the real sky is always a shock.
I'm betting any one of us, given access to a big telescope and dark skies, would not get bored moving from object to object in the Virgo cluster all night.
I like Virgo because I can find it.
If I can find Leo (and who can't), I can find Virgo.
If I can find the Big Dipper (and what northerner can't), I can follow the curve of the handle to Arcturus and thence to Spica (the ear of grain in Virgo's lap, so there I am).
If I could memorize the rest of the sky as easily, I'd be a lot better at observing.
My other problem with observing is too many stars. At home, I can see the 15 brightest stars in the sky (plus planets) when I've gotten out from under the trees into the light polution, and that's it. So the geometry of the heavens is uncomplicated. If I go 200 miles west into the hills, there are so many stars and nebulae to see that I lose my guide stars amongst the clutter. I'm not complaining, but the real sky is always a shock.
I'm betting any one of us, given access to a big telescope and dark skies, would not get bored moving from object to object in the Virgo cluster all night.