View Report (was: "anything interesting for me tonight?)

Hello all and thanks for the suggestions.

Last night's weather was really nice.
Still, tons of ambient light from 1) the sunset 2) Manhattan

We saw some nice stars, clusters, etc.
I showed my friends a few interesting items. One of my friends was
very pleased to see Vega, having seen the movie "Contact" and he
really loved its bright blue color.

In addition, we all saw about 4 or 5 meteors. I guess a bit of
Persieds is still within range.

We star-hopped for a while. Particularly, the first-timers were
astounded when looking through the limited FOV of a pair of
binoculars, how many stars are out there! I was very happy a good
impression was made, and an interest sparked.

Question:

Saw an arrangement of stars in the binoculars. I will attempt to
describe arrangement and location, perhaps someone can identify for
me.

Starting from Altair, going in a "3-o'clock" direction, there is an
arrangement of stars that resembles a mirrored, italicized h.

I will attempt to ascii draw it he

0
0
0
0 0
0 0 0

What were we looking at?
My friend (and I, subsequently) are curious to know.

Thanks!


---Atreju---

"Atreju" wrote Saw an arrangement of stars in the binoculars. I will
attempt to
describe arrangement and location, perhaps someone can identify for
me.

Starting from Altair, going in a "3-o'clock" direction, there is an
arrangement of stars that resembles a mirrored, italicized h.

I will attempt to ascii draw it he

0
0
0
0 0
0 0 0

Looks like Sagitta, the Arrow.

Howard L

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 10:12:48 -0700, "Howard Lester"
wrote:


"Atreju" wrote Saw an arrangement of stars in the binoculars. I will
attempt to
describe arrangement and location, perhaps someone can identify for
me.

Starting from Altair, going in a "3-o'clock" direction, there is an
arrangement of stars that resembles a mirrored, italicized h.

I will attempt to ascii draw it he

0
0
0
0 0
0 0 0

Looks like Sagitta, the Arrow.

Howard L


I'm not sure about that. Remember, this was only visible within
binoculars. It was all within the FOV. Wouldn't a constellation be
bigger than that? It is possible, I just want to make sure.

Could not see it with naked eye. In telescope also could not find it.


---Atreju---

I will attempt to ascii draw it he

0
0
0
0 0
0 0 0

Looks like Sagitta, the Arrow.

Howard L


I'm not sure about that. Remember, this was only visible within
binoculars. It was all within the FOV. Wouldn't a constellation be
bigger than that? It is possible, I just want to make sure.

Could not see it with naked eye. In telescope also could not find it.


---Atreju---



too lazy, busy to look this up on a star chart.....but could this be what is
commonly called "the coat hanger"....

Everyone usally manages to find this accidently with binoculars, if they didnt
know about it beforehand...

Even though its more like a straight stick with a hook on it rather than your
mil-spec coathanger...

take care

Blll

Starting from Altair, going in a "3-o'clock" direction, there is an
arrangement of stars that resembles a mirrored, italicized h.


The "Coathanger" asterism. Look here...

http://www.greenwich-observatory.co.uk/coathanger.html


-Florian

"Atreju" wrote

Looks like Sagitta, the Arrow.

Howard L

I'm not sure about that. Remember, this was only visible within
binoculars. It was all within the FOV. Wouldn't a constellation be
bigger than that? It is possible, I just want to make sure.

Could not see it with naked eye. In telescope also could not find it.

Sagitta will fit in the field of binoculars, but it is clearly visible to
the naked eye. If you had given me *that* clue, I wouldn't have lost the
quiz.

bzzzzzzt!

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 17:35:51 GMT, "Florian"
wrote:

Starting from Altair, going in a "3-o'clock" direction, there is an
arrangement of stars that resembles a mirrored, italicized h.


The "Coathanger" asterism. Look here...

http://www.greenwich-observatory.co.uk/coathanger.html


-Florian


Yes! that is it, thanks!


---Atreju---

On 23 Aug 2004 17:34:51 GMT, (BllFs6) wrote:

too lazy, busy to look this up on a star chart.....but could this be what is
commonly called "the coat hanger"....

Yes, indeed. Thanks.


---Atreju---

too lazy, busy to look this up on a star chart.....but could this be what is
commonly called "the coat hanger"....

Yes, indeed. Thanks.


---Atreju---


Pretty darn cool to "discover" it yourself ehhh...?

I did so myself many moons ago and it just makes it that much more special for
me even to this day....

Dont always just use charts and a goto telescope....there is plenty more to
"discover" by just sweeping the sky with binocs and telescopes....and more fun
sometimes as well!

take care

Blll

On 23 Aug 2004 18:13:48 GMT, (BllFs6) wrote:

too lazy, busy to look this up on a star chart.....but could this be what is
commonly called "the coat hanger"....

Yes, indeed. Thanks.


---Atreju---


Pretty darn cool to "discover" it yourself ehhh...?

I did so myself many moons ago and it just makes it that much more special for
me even to this day....

Dont always just use charts and a goto telescope....there is plenty more to
"discover" by just sweeping the sky with binocs and telescopes....and more fun
sometimes as well!

take care

Blll

I only use a chart to get a general idea of what prominent items will
be in view. I don't own a goto, nor do I intend to.

Thanks again.


---Atreju---