Paul's astronomy page
Why do I have an astronomy page? Well, I'm a big astro dork. In my free time I volunteer to help the Monday night tours at the US Naval Observatory, where I intern during the summer and winter break. I also am a volunteer docent at University of Maryland's observatory for open houses and other events.
Objects Viewed:
Double Stars:
Albireo - Beta Cygnus - pretty blue/purple star and orange star
Algeiba - Gamma Leo, two bright companions Small separation
Epsilon Lyra - Famous double double, double system, but each of those has a companion as well
Mizar and Alcor: Fun target to see with the naked eye
Alpha Andromeda - similar to albireo, and just as shiny!
Messier:
M3: pretty globular cluster in 20" reflector
M8: planetary neb, binos, dark sky
M13: Globular cluster, telescope, not too bad with refractor or big reflector
M20: planetary neb, binos, dark sky
M21: Open cluster, binos, dark sky
M25: Open cluster, binos, dark sky
M27: dumbell nebula, too faint for this area without CCD
M31 - Andromeda Galaxy
M35 -
M36 -
M37 - Really pretty open cluster, using 20" at UM, also pretty in my own scope
M41 - Companion to M42
M42(!) Orion Nebula
M44 - The Beehive Cluster (need really low power)
M45 - The Pleiades - Naked-eye star cluster
M57 - The Ring Nebula
M67 - Open star cluster, somewhat dim for visual telescopic obs.
M81 - Mag 6 galaxy, can easily make out fuzzy in 20"
M82 - Mag 8 galaxy, very hard to see, even in 20", go north of M81
Here's some info on the telescope I use:
8-inch Synta Reflector
1200mm focal length
Pictures!!
| Jupiter | Saturn |
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| The Moon | The sun |
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| Mars! | Deep sky objects |
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But look pretty anyway!
