AAVSO Newsletter, Issue No. 60 April 2014
Aldrin Gabuya | Observational Astronomy Project
AAVSO Newsletter, Issue No. 60 April 2014
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Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract RATIONALE Mars was in opposition in 2003 in its closest approach to Earth in more than 50,000 years. Astronomers all over the world took this occasion to observe Mars with all types of Earth-bound telescopes. I used the Orion XT-10 Newtonian reflector to do my observations. However, to maximize its use for high-power observing, modifications in the altazimuth motion and in the sighting mechanism of the telescope had to be made. The improvements resulted into smooth altazimuth telescope motion and faster sighting of objects to be observed. The telescope has been very useful for deep-sky observing up to this day. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to observe Mars during its best opposition in 2003, record the observations using astronomical sketching, identify the features of Mars as revealed in the sketches, compare the sketches with the images of Mars on the time and dates of observation; and find out the best configuration for the Orion SkyQuest 10-inch Newtonian Reflector telescope. METHODOLOGY Experimentation in the most effective configuration and modification of the telescope is done after initial assessment of its usefulness. The actual field observations were conducted whenever weather and sky conditions allowed. Sketching of the planet Mars was done for several hours every observing session. Features of the planet were revealed only after patient waiting for the atmosphere to allow the seeing. And lastly the features of the planet revealed in the sketch were then compared with the planet’s actual features on the date and time of observation by using the Celestia and Stellarium softwares. RESULTS Sketches of the planet Mars using the modified Orion XT-10 Newtonian reflector were compared side by side with the images of Mars on the exact time and date of the observation when the sketches were made. The sketches have differences with the actual images. This means that the human eye can sometimes perceive features in astronomical objects which images cannot capture accurately. Sketches, therefore, are real scientific records which may be used as baseline data for future studies of the same object. CONCLUSIONS Newtonian reflectors on Dobsonian mounts can be configured to be highly efficient instruments for serious astronomical visual observing with sketching as the preferred method for recording the observations; Planetary observers should monitor the events on the planets particularly the best times to observe them; Students of astronomy or Earth Science should be taught how to sketch through whatever telescopes are available; Sketches and images are fine records of the objects observed, the weather and sky condition during the night of observing, the instruments used, the magnification and similar data; The modified telescope needed no more upgrading and I still use it today for observations of deep-sky objects such as galaxies, planetary nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters, and supernova remnants. It is especially good for observing faint objects. Tracking remains smooth after more than a decade of use. KEYWORDS Astronomy Education, Astronomical Observation, Astronomy Instrumentation Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract In this Volume I have observed and described 5 planetary nebulae, 3 asterisms, 1 variable star, Saturn and five of its moons (several times have I observed these), 4 bright nebulae, galaxies, 3 globular clusters, 50 open clusters, 30 double and multiple stars, and 41 single stars. I am reaching deeper into the sky, for the first time there are more deep-sky objects than single stars in a single volume. Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract URBAN ASTRONOMY FROM TWO CITIES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS The April, 2002 issue of Sky and Telescope contains an article entitled URBAN ASTRONOMY: Observing the Messier Objects from the City. Since I have been writing observation reports about Urban Astronomy, I decided to compare my findings with those of Tony Flanders, the author of the article. Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract This volume contains description and observations on 20 deep-sky objects. This collection of deep-sky objects contains 4 galaxies, 10 open clusters, 1 open cluster with bright emission nebula, 2 globular clusters, 1 planetary nebula, and 2 asterisms. Much has changed in Philippine astronomy. Dr. Bernardo M. Soriano, former Chief of the Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Space Sciences Branch of PAGASA has retired. He was the Chairman of the National Organizing Commmittee of the DOST for the International Year of Astronomy. Now the task has been handed over to another great worker, Dr. Prisco Nilo, himself the Director of PAGASA. I now have the opportunity to be a part of the planning, preparation and the supervision of the IYA 2009 as a member of the National Organizing Committee by virtue of DOST Special Order 378, series of 2008. By being a part of the NOC, I feel that all the sleep-deprived nights, all the struggles, all the criticism and cynicisms on my pursuit of Astronomy are now sweet memories. Thwere is no substitute for pure grit. Finally, the RTU has conferred upon me an award of recognition for all my efforts in ASTRONOMY. Dr. Jose Q. Macaballug, the indefatigable President of the RU, signed the Plaque of Recognition. Without his unqualified support, Astronomy in the RTU would have died a long time ago. Without the support of my boss, I would have lost heart a long time ago. However, it is really not for me that the award has significance. Rather it is for Astronomy in the Philippines as a whole. RTU's support for Astronomy is support for Astronomy in the Philippines. Dr. Macaballug deserves the highest award we confer in Astronomy, the Padre Faura Award The following year will be exciting for Philippine astronomy. Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres A Catalogue of Urban Deep-Sky Objects Urban DSO 286 Urban DSO 287 Urban DSO 288 Urban DSO 289 Urban DSO 290 and 291 Urban DSO 292 Urban DSO 293 Urban DSO 294 and 295 Urban DSO 296 Urban DSO 297 Urban DSO 298 Urban DSO 299 Urban DSO 300 Urban DSO 301 Urban DSO 302 Urban DSO 303 Urban DSO 304 Urban DSO 305 Urban DSO 306 Urban DSO 307 Urban DSO 308 Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract The third book in the Catalogue in Urban Deep-Sky Objects series, Volume XII contains observation reports and data on additional 40 deep-sky objects. They are catalogued as Urban DSO 91-130. There are 27 open clusters, 2 bright nebulae, 2 globular clusters, 4 galaxies, 4 bright nebulae with open clusters, and 1 planetary nebula in this Volume. The number of open clusters is due to the fact that most observations were done in Puppis, Monoceros, and Canis Major, all very rich in open clusters. Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract There are 30 deep-sky objects in this Volume. Of the objects observed and described, 21 are open clusters, 3 are galaxies, 2 are planetary nebulae, 2 are globular clusters, 1 is an open cluster with nebulosity, and 1 is an emission nebula. The time of observations in Montevista Heights, Taytay, Rizal where I have my personal observatory must now be chosen carefully. Gone were the days when I could just set up a telescope in the observatory and be assured of a black sky in a clear Type 1 sky. Unfortunately those days are gone and the sky in my observing site is now often milky and the Milky Way is no longer visible dueing the evening. I had to wake up at 2 am at times just to have a really good sky for observing. Despite these odds, I still catch a few galaxies and nebulae now and then, in addition to the usual open cluster fare. I believe I may have passed the halfway mark in this particular research. Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract This Volume contains Urban Deep-Sky objects 51-90. There are 27 open clusters, 4 galaxies, 5 planetary nebulae, 3 bright nebulae, and 1 globular cluster catalogued. The number of open clusters may be attributed to the fact that many of the observations were made when the open cluster-rich constellations of Perseus and Cassiopeia are ideally situated in the sky for early evening observations. Most of the Caldwell Objects included in this Catalogue were observed in the previous months. It is unfortunate that just as soon as sky becomes clear and transparent in December, light pollution worsens. Academic Journal
Dr. Jesus Rodrigo F. Torres Abstract In this Volume, I have observed and described 5 planetary nebulae, 3 asterisms, 1 variable star, Saturn and five of its moons (several times have I observed these), 4 bright nebulae, 4 galaxies, 3 globular clusters, 50 open clusters, 30 double and multiple stars, and 41 single stars. I am reaching deeper into the sky; for the first time, there are more deep-sky objects than single stars in a single volume. |
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