--- Olhomorto@aol.com wrote:
I agree with you, Chuck, about the satisfaction of using an Atlas and hunting for deep sky objects. Along with the simultaneous sensations of humility and feeling that I am part of it all when I stand under a dark Utah desert sky, learning and hunting were the biggest draw for me in astronomy.
The hunt is fine and we are in agreement that GOTO and DSO's are no substitute spending a few years really learning positions of the key objects. Being able to push the "NGC" catalogue button will give a good presentation of the celestial zoo, but without the hunt you do not learn the relationship between objects. On the other hand, the hunt is only partially satisfying. What about when you arrive? To use Chuck's analogy, I enjoyed ridge-running the Wasatch in my younger days, but just being in good enough physical condition to peak bag and spending a half-hour in an endomorphin induced peaceful state was not enough. One enhancement of the outdoor experience is to learn about what you are looking at, e.g. - the geologic strata of the Wasatch, identification of high alpine plants and animals, and meterology. These intellectual supplements are no substitute for the underlying experience of the outdoors - the enjoyment of nature and a good hike - but they do add to the experience. Astronomy is similar. Being outdoors on a serene clear cold night is the emotional reward, just as is the hunt to find obscure objects, e.g. planetary nebula NGC1535 in Eri (J041415-124421, HD26847, PN G206.4-40.5). But as you "bag" these objects off your observing list, the experience can be enhanced by taking the time to learn more about what is known about the object that you are looking at. - Canopus56(Kurt) __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com