lumpy darkness

Observation notes (with equipment details), photos, sketches, reviews, software tips, random thoughts, by an amateur astronomer.

MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010

magnitude limits

I started keeping a table in my palmtop to note the "deepest" sky that I've seen. Of course, location (and its ambient light pollution) is a factor. And how deep I can go also is improved with magnification.

Presented in chronological order.

 

location     mag     with     date     notes
Toronto, Evelyn Cres, sidewalk   10.58   SCT 8"   21 Jul 08    
Thornbury, CAO   5.90   eye   31 Aug 08    
Thornbury, CAO   13.80   SCT 8"   31 Aug 08    
Toronto, High Park, near Bloor   11.90   SCT 8"   23 Feb 09   field lights on?
Toronto, High Park, near Bloor   4.00   eye   23 Feb 09   field lights on?
Toronto, Evelyn Cres, backyard   11.90   SCT 8"   28 Feb 09    
Mew Lake, Algonquin   6-ish   eye   18 Sep 09   estimated*
Toronto, Evelyn Cres, backyard   4.30   eye   7 Mar 10   Globe At Night
Thornbury, CAO   6.00   eye   18 Mar 10   Horvatins**
Union, Golf Club Rd, backyard   12.25   Newt 6"   11 Apr 10    
Union, Golf Club Rd, backyard   5.30   eye   11 Apr 10    

 

* The 18 Sep 09 entry is estimated. I know that I saw the Coathanger naked eye. The stars in the hook are around mag 5; the stars in the hanger (straight line part) are mag 6.1, 6.4, etc.

** The 18 Mar 10 entry was not reported by me. It was submitted by the Horvatin clan, as part of the Globe At Night survey, while they stayed at the CAO. I note it here simply because I use the same location and it shows what is possible...

This list will be significantly updated through 2010. I did not make any proactive notes about magnitude limits for interesting locations (e.g. Mew Lake) nor interesting equipment (e.g. Phil's huge Dob or the Toronto Centre C14).

It is a bit perturbing to think that if I keep editing this, updating it, for the next 10 years or so, that we may see a steadily decreasing limit... Hopefully not.

 

 

 

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