105 replies to this topic

[skysurfer]

This is almost the most amazing piece of sky (toaken yesterday with my Canon R6):

 

[BQ Octantis]

OMG, YES! The thick part of the Carina Arm where it goes into the plane we're looking at is the most intense. It even rivals the core in brightness!

 

Carina Arm Mosaic (click for full size)

 

And this is the time of year where Crux points straight up at midnight:

 

Scutum-Centaurus & Sagittarius-Carina Arms of the Milky Way (click for full size)

 

So Crux is an equinox and solstice indicator. At midnight:

 

12 o'clock position - March equinox

3 o'clock position - June solstice

6 o'clock position - September equinox

9 o'clock position - December solstice

 

Indeed, by a quirk of luck, from the Tropic of Capricorn the core of the Milky Way crosses zenith at midnight on the June solstice.

 

BQ

Edited by BQ Octantis, 05 April 2025 - 07:11 AM.

[denzel200219]

In central Florida, if you find a really flat area, you can get a good view of Omega Centauri and just barely see Carina Nebula. Good thing Florida is the flattest state

[Kefka1138]

I observed for most of my life from no farther south than 36 degrees north latitude, then took an early-June observing trip to Hawai'i -- setting up a 10-inch reflector at the Summit Observatories Visitor Center, 3 Km up on the slopes of Mauna Kea. It was early twilight when I got there on the first night. I spent some time fussing with the 10-inch, freshly unpacked from airline travel. By the time I was done it was dark enough to see the stars. I turned around and -- there was the Southern Cross, straight up and down at upper culmination, and every bit as gorgeous as I had imagined. It was a wonderful sight, and a wonderful trip -- I got in six good nights of observing -- and yes, in my opinion the southern Milky Way has a lot more to offer than its northern portion.

 

At that time the Visitor Center was well set up for visiting amateur astronomers -- there was power available outside and a light switch for the parking lot lights. There were piers with pier heads properly aligned and tilted north/south for the latitude, with bolt circles drilled so that the bases of most commercial fork mounts could be attached without wedge or tripod. The bathrooms remained open and heated. The gift shop (which was not open at night) had a neat selection of astronomy-themed sweets: Mars and Milky Way candy bars, Starburst pellet candy, and so on. My trip was more than two decades ago, but I suspect the Visitor Center still does well by visiting observers.

 

 

Clear sky ...

Wow! That sounds like a magnificent trip! Kudos.

[Dave Mitsky]

NGC 4945, which ausastronomer mentioned, is a noteworthy spiral galaxy in Centaurus.  It's located a few degrees to the southwest of NGC 5139.

https://deepskycorne.../ngc4945.en.php

 

https://apod.nasa.go...d/ap150528.html

[SouthernSkys]

When I first pointed my binoculars at the area between the Southern Cross and the false cross, I thought I would run mad.
Great in a refractor too. The problem is that now it is winter, I am situated in mountains so it is terribly cold.

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

About North & South:
 

I have placed the most beautiful objects that you can see from the northern hemisphere next to the most beautiful objects of the southern hemisphere.

I have set the border at -25.

Compare and judge for yourself which are more beautiful. (The globular clusters = a clear winner, but I'm not sure about the rest.)

 

==========================================================================

OPEN CLUSTERS: (declination from north to south)   
 

NORTH
1. M52 / Scorpion Cluster                              Mag: 7.3 / SB: 12.7
(+61 in Cassiopeia)                                       Size: 13'
2. Double Cluster (NGC 869/884)                 Mag: 5.3 & 6.1 / 10.9 (both)
(+57 in Perseus)                                            Size: 14.4' & 10.5'
3. NGC 7789 / White Rose                            Mag: 6.7 /13.8
(+56 in Cassiopeia)                                        Size: 16'
4. M37 / NGC 2099                                        Mag: 6.2 / 11.2
(+32 in Auriga)                                                Size: 24'
5. M45 / Pleiades                                            Mag: 1.6 / 11.1
(+24 in Taurus)                                                Size: 120'
6. M35 / Shoe-Buckle Cluster                          Mag: 5.3 / 11.8
(+24 in Gemini)                                                Size: 28'
7. M11 / Wild Duck Cluster                              Mag: 5.8 / 11.3
(-06 in Scutum)                                                Size: 22.8'
 

SOUTH
1. M6 / Butterfly Cluster                                   Mag: 4.2 / 10.9
(-32 in Scorpius)                                              Size: 28'
2. M7 / Ptolemy Cluster                                   Mag: 3.3 / 12.6
(-34 in Scorpius)                                              Size: 80'
3. NGC2477 / Termite Hole Cluster                 Mag: 5.8 / 12.7
(-38 in Puppis)                                                 Size: 27'
4. NGC 6231 (Baby Scorpio Cluster.)              Mag: 2.6 / 8.2
(- 41 in Scorpius)                                              Size: 14'
5. NGC 3532 / Wishing Well Cluster)               Mag: 3.0 / 11.2
(-58 in Carina)                                                  Size: 50'
6. NGC 4755 / The Jewel Box                          Mag: 4.2 / 8.9
(-60 in Crux)                                                      Size: 10'
7. NGC 3766                                                     Mag: 5.3 / 10.9
(-61 in Centaurus)                                             Size: 12'
 

==================================================================

GLOBULAR CLUSTERS: (declination from north to south)
 

NORTH:
1. M92 (+ 43 in Hercules)                                 Mag: 6.4 / S.B.: 12.0
(+ 43 in Hercules)                                             Size: 14'
2. M13 / Hercules Cluster                                 Mag: 5.8 / 11.0
(+36 in Hercules)                                              Size: 20'
3. M12 (-01 in Ophiuchus)                                Mag: 6.7 / 11.7
(-01 in Ophiuchus)                                            Size: 16'
4. M10 (-4 in Ophiuchus)                                  Mag: 6.6 / 12.8
(-04 in Ophiuchus)                                            Size: 9.3'
5. M22                                                               Mag: 5.5 / 12.5
(- 23 in  Sagittarius)                                           Size: 32'
 

SOUTH:
1. M4 / Crab globular cluster                             Mag: 5.9 / 12.2
(-26 in Scorpius)                                                Size: 26'
2. NGC 5139 / Omega Centauri                        Mag: 3.9 / 13.8
(-47 in Centaurus / Centaur)                              Size: 55'
3. NGC 6397                                                      Mag: 6.7 / 12.4
(-53 in Ara)                                                         Size: 32'
4. NGC 6752 /  Great Peacock Globular            Mag: 5.4 / 12.6
(-59 in Pavo)                                                       Size: 20.4'
5. NGC 104 / 47 Tucanae)                                  Mag: 4.1 / 10.3
(-72 in Tucana)                                                    Size: 43.8'
 

========================================================================

GALAXIES: (declination from north to south)
 

NORTH:
1. The Milky Way (seen from the Northern Hemisphere)
2. M8, M82 / Bode's Galaxy, Cigar Galaxy                                   Mag: 6.9, 8,4 / 13.1, 12.3
(+ 69 in Ursa Major)                                                                      Size: 26.9 × 14.1 (379') & 11.2′ × 4.3' (48.2')
3. M101 Pinwheel Galaxy                                                             Mag: 7.9 / 14.9
(+54 in Ursa Major)                                                                       Size: 28.8 × 26.9' (775') 
4. M51 / Whirlpool Galaxy                                                             Mag: 8.4 / 12.7
(+ 47 in Canes Venatici) (interacting with NGC 5195)                  Size: 11.2 × 6.9' (77.3')
5. M31 / Andromeda Galaxy                                                         Mag: 3.44 / 13.3
(+ 41 in Andromeda)                                                                     Size: 190 x 60' (11.400')
6. NGC 4631 / Whale Galaxy                                                        Mag: 9.8 / 12.5
(+32 in Canes Venatici)                                                                 Size: 15′.5 × 2′.7 (41.9')
7. M33 / Triangulum Galaxy                                                           Mag: 5.7 / 14.1
(+ 30 in Triangulum)                                                                       Size: 70.8 × 41.7' (2.952')
8. NGC 4565 / Needle                                                                   Mag: 10.4 /15.8
(+25 in Coma Bernices)                                                                 Size: 15.9 × 1.8' (28.6')
9. M64 / Black Eye                                                                         Mag: 8,5 / 12.4
(+21 in Coma Bernices)                                                                 Size: 10.7 × 5.1' (54.6')
10. Markarian's Chain (M84, M86, NGC 4438 & NGC 4435 (the eyes), NGC 4477, NGC 4473, NGC 4461, NGC 4458 (+13 in Virgo) (Size: 60')
11. M65, M66 & NGC 3628 / Leo Triplet                                        Mag: 9.3/12.4 & 8.9/12.6 & 9.5/12.8
(+13/+12/+13 in Leo)                                                                     Size 8.7 × 2.4' & 9.1 × 4.2' & 14 × 3.6'
12. M104 / Sombrero Galaxy                                                         Mag: 8.0 / 11.4
(- 11 in Virgo)                                                                                 Size: 9 × 4′ (36')
 

SOUTH:
1. The Milky Way (seen from the Southern Hemisphere)
2. NGC 253 / Sculptor Galaxy                                                       Mag: 8.0 / 13.4
(-25 in Sculptor)                                                                             Size: 27.5 × 6.8' (187')
3. M83 / Southern Pinwheel Galaxy                                              Mag: 7.6 / 12.7
(-29 in Hydra)                                                                                 Size: 12.9 × 11.5' (148.4')
4. NGC 2997                                                                                  Mag: 10.1 / 13.6
(-31 in Antlia)                                                                                  Size: 8.9 × 6.8' (60.5')
5. NGC 1365 / Fornax Propeller Galaxy                                         Mag: 10.3 / 12.7
(-36 in Fornax)                                                                                Size: 11.2 × 6.2' (69.4')
6. NGC 55 / String of Pearls Galaxy                                               Mag: 7.9 / 13.3
(-39 in Sculptor)                                                                              Size: 32.4 × 5.6 (181.4')
7. Grus Quartet / NGC: 7552, 7582, 7590, 7599                            Mag: 10.6 / 11.7
(-42 in Grus)                                                                                    Size: all around 10'
8. NGC 5128 / Centaurus A                                                             Mag: 6.8 / 13.4
(-43 in Centaurus) (5th brightest galaxy)                                         Size: 25.7 × 20.0' (514')
9. NGC 4945                                                                                    Mag: 9.3 / 13.7
(-49 in Centaurus)                                                                            Size: 20.0 × 3.8′ (76')
10. NGC 1566 / Spanish Dancer                                                      Mag: 9.7 / 12.7
(-54 in Dorado)                                                                                  Size: 8.5' × 5.4' (45.9')
11. Large Magellanic Cloud                                                               Mag: 0.1 / 14.5
(- 69 in Dorado) (Brightest Galaxy)                                                    Size: 645 x 550.2' ( 354.879')
12. Small Magellanic Cloud                                                                Mag: 2.7 / 13.9
(-72 in Tucana) (Second brightest Galaxy)                                         Size: 320 x 185' (59.200')
 

=====================================================================

STAR CLOUDS:
 

NORTH:
M24 / Small Sagittarius Star Cloud                                                     Mag: 4.6 / 13.7
(-18 in  Sagittarius) (Zie open cluster NGC 6603)                               Size: 120' x 60' (7.200')
 

SOUTH:
The Large Sagittarius Star Cloud                                                        Mag: Brightest part Milky Way
(-29 in Sagittarius)                                                                               Size: 360 x 240' (86.400')
 

=====================================================================

NEBULAE:
 

NORTH:
EMISSION NEBULAE:
1. M42 Orion Nebula                                                    Mag: 4.0 / 13.1
(-05 in Orion)                                                                Size: 65 x 60'
2. M8 / Lagoon Nebula                                                 Mag: 4.6 / 14.6
(-24 in Sagittarius)                                                        Size: 90 x 40' (3.600')
DARK NEBULA:
3. Dark Horse Nebula                                                   Mag: - / -
(-21 in Ophiuchus)                                                        Size: 600 x 600' (360.000')
 

SOUTH:
EMISSION NEBULAE:
1. NGC 3372 / Eta Carinae Nebula                              Mag: 1.0 / 11.1
(-59 in Carina) (Nr. 1 Brightest Nebula)                        Size: 120 × 120' (14.400')
2. NGC 2070 / Tarantula Nebula / 30 Doradus             Mag: 8.0 / 13.9
(-69 in Dorado) (Lies in Large Magellanic Cloud)         Size: 40 × 25′ (1.000')
DARK NEBULAE:
3. Coalsack Nebula (dark nebula)                                 Mag: - / -
(-62 in Crux)                                                                   Size: 420 x 300' (126.000')
 

=====================================================================

PLANETARY NEBULAE:
 

NORTH:
M57 / The Ring Nebula                                                 Mag: 8.8 / 10.9
(+ 33 in Lyra)                                                                 Size: 1.3'
 

SOUTH:
NGC 6302 / Butterfly Nebula                                         Mag: 7.1 / 9.4
(-37 in Scorpius) (south most bright planetary)              Size: 3.0'
 

=====================================================================

DOUBLE STARS: (declination from north to south)
 

NORTH:
1. Albireo / Beta Cygni (double, optical star)                 Mag; 3.0
(+27 in Cygnus)
2. Epsilon Lyrae / Double Double (quadruple star)       Mag: 4.6
(+39 in Lyra/Lier)
3. Sigma Orionis (HIP 26549) (multiple star)                Mag: 3.8
(-2 in Orion) 

SOUTH:
1. Gamma Velorum (quadruple star)                            Mag: 1,7
(-47 in Vela)
2. Alpha Centauri (triple star)                                        Mag: -0.27
(-60 in Centaurus)(triple star) 
3. Acrux (Triple star)                                                      Mag: 0,7
(-63 in Crux)
 

======================================================================

STARS:
 

NORTH:
1. Sirius (brighest star of the sky)                                  Mag: -1.46
(- 16 in Canis Major)  (also a double star)
 

SOUTH:
2. Mimosa / Beta Crucis & Ruby Crucis / DY Crucis      Mag: 1.25
(-59 in Crux) Mimosa = 19th star & Ruby Crucis = reddest star of the sky

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

Edited by Whiteduckwagglinginspace, 19 June 2025 - 05:15 AM.

[Tony Flanders]

About North & South:
 
I have placed the most beautiful objects that you can see from the northern hemisphere next to the most beautiful objects of the southern hemisphere.

I have set the border at -25.

The fact that you set the border at -25 rather than 0, thereby giving 71% of the sky to the north and just 29% to the south -- and still have trouble deciding -- is an implicit acknowledgement that the southern half of the celestial sphere is vastly better than the north.

In fact, half the sky -- between Dec -30 and Dec 30 -- is readily visible by 90% of the people on our planet. The Original Poster happens to live in the far-northern fringe of the populated region, which is presumably why they set the limit at -25 rather than -30.

One of the best things about observing from the Southern Hemisphere is being able to see familiar objects like M6, M7, and M8 high in the sky, rather than scraping the horizon as we see them from mid-northern latitudes. It's also important to remember that many of the northern sky's favorite objects -- most notably the Pleiades -- are close enough to the celestial equator to be not merely visible but spectacular to every permanent resident of the Southern Hemisphere, the overwhelming majority of whom live north of latitude 35S.

 

Given the fact that the galactic center is at Dec -29, it's hardly surprising that objects associated with the Milky Way, including star clusters and star-forming regions, are heavily concentrated south of the celestial equator. The only category where the northern celestial sphere is even remotely in competition are bright, nearby open star clusters like the Pleiades, Alpha Persei Cluster, and Double Cluster, due to the fact that most of  the Local Arm lies north of the celestial equator.

 

Planetary nebulae and galaxies are scattered more or less equally across the entire sky. It's just dumb luck that the two closest -- the Magellanic Clouds -- happen to be near the south celestial pole. But the Magellanic Clouds are so wildly different from all other galaxies from an observational point of view that it hardly seems fair to count them. They're really in a class all their own -- the only galaxies other than the Milky Way for which nebulae, star clusters, and even individual stars are readily visible through small amateur scopes.
 

[25585]

How do people in the southern hemisphere align on the south celestial pole, as there is no Polaris for them?

[Javier1978]

The fact that you set the border at -25 rather than 0, thereby giving 71% of the sky to the north and just 29% to the south -- and still have trouble deciding -- is an implicit acknowledgement that the southern half of the celestial sphere is vastly better than the north.

In fact, half the sky -- between Dec -30 and Dec 30 -- is readily visible by 90% of the people on our planet. The Original Poster happens to live in the far-northern fringe of the populated region, which is presumably why they set the limit at -25 rather than -30.

One of the best things about observing from the Southern Hemisphere is being able to see familiar objects like M6, M7, and M8 high in the sky, rather than scraping the horizon as we see them from mid-northern latitudes. It's also important to remember that many of the northern sky's favorite objects -- most notably the Pleiades -- are close enough to the celestial equator to be not merely visible but spectacular to every permanent resident of the Southern Hemisphere, the overwhelming majority of whom live north of latitude 35S.

 

Given the fact that the galactic center is at Dec -29, it's hardly surprising that objects associated with the Milky Way, including star clusters and star-forming regions, are heavily concentrated south of the celestial equator. The only category where the northern celestial sphere is even remotely in competition are bright, nearby open star clusters like the Pleiades, Alpha Persei Cluster, and Double Cluster, due to the fact that most of  the Local Arm lies north of the celestial equator.

 

Planetary nebulae and galaxies are scattered more or less equally across the entire sky. It's just dumb luck that the two closest -- the Magellanic Clouds -- happen to be near the south celestial pole. But the Magellanic Clouds are so wildly different from all other galaxies from an observational point of view that it hardly seems fair to count them. They're really in a class all their own -- the only galaxies other than the Milky Way for which nebulae, star clusters, and even individual stars are readily visible through small amateur scopes.
 

 

This!

 

A lot of objects from that northern list are readily visible from Buenos Aires (34º S), at a fairly high altitude - some of them at more than 70º!

 

Northern and Southern skies’ feels like too wide a category.

Edited by Javier1978, 19 June 2025 - 06:36 AM.

[bunyon]

How do people in the southern hemisphere align on the south celestial pole, as there is no Polaris for them?

There is a pattern in octans that, through a polar scope, works well enough. It takes some getting used to for sure but it’s the same basic idea. Where we center Polaris and offset in some direction by 50’ or so, in the south, you center on a point relative to several stars in octans (I’d have to look it up again). Hard in the city but not bad in a dark sky.

Of course, today, the computer can do it as well there as in the north.

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

The fact that you set the border at -25 rather than 0, thereby giving 71% of the sky to the north and just 29% to the south -- and still have trouble deciding -- is an implicit acknowledgement that the southern half of the celestial sphere is vastly better than the north.
 

 

I was allready waiting for your comment. What you say is very true and I'm aware of that. 

Quote: 'I have placed the most beautiful objects that you can see from the northern hemisphere next to the most beautiful objects of the southern hemisphere.'

I also know it overlaps each other and of course - also depending on where you live. I had to choose a starting point.

I fully agree that the Southern Sky has the better sky - the evidence is there and very convincing. But when looking and comparing from the list I made - again: looking from the northern atmosphere - it is really not too bad for the people who are living there. 


 

Edited by Whiteduckwagglinginspace, 19 June 2025 - 09:07 AM.

[jiblet65]

This looks like the patch of sky I had a little Astroscan panned to in Montana. We told my wife's mom to look and she asked what it was.I told her a whole lot of stars and she didn't think that was very exciting. We told her just look in the eyepiece. She immediately exclaimed "Oh my God" when she finally did. 

 

This is almost the most amazing piece of sky (toaken yesterday with my Canon R6):

 

 

[NinePlanets]

Many years ago an old acquaintance took his 36-inch Newtonian to the south (New Zealand or Oz - can't remember which) for 5 months of deep south observing, then returned. One night shortly after his return we were at our dark sky spot together and he said, "Coming back was a big mistake", or something to that effect.

 

I haven't seen him in 25 years or so. Maybe he's under those southern skies for good now. 

[Tony Flanders]

Quote: 'I have placed the most beautiful objects that you can see from the northern hemisphere next to the most beautiful objects of the southern hemisphere.'

Well, not quite. Your list of northern objects includes things that you can see -- and many stargazers in northern Europe might agree with your selection, though it's worth pointing out that Messier did observe M6 and M7 from Paris, at latitude 49N.

 

I live in the northeastern U.S. at latitude 42N, and the great majority of the U.S. population -- and an even greater majority of the stargazers -- live south of me. I can see both M6 and M7 without optical aid from my backyard, despite having a mediocre southern horizon.

[Don W]

After two observing excursions to Australia, the answer is undeniably the Southern Skies. Omega is incredible, but farther south is 47 Tucanae. There’s some debate as to which Globular is better. 
 

The Tarantula nebula puts Orion to shame, and it’s actually in a nearby galaxy, not ours!

 

I would say the north is much richer in galaxies, but not much else.

 

My first trip to Oz in 2005 I took along a TV 102i, a Gibraltar mount, and a Bag o’ Naglers. All guided by Argo-Navis. We were located 250 miles NW of Sydney near Siding Springs Observatory.

 

One night even though surrounded by dobs as big as 30”, I decided to see how the little 4” TV would do. I set Argo to show Globs brighter than 8th magnitude. I got tired and quit after a couple hours. It was an amazing experience. 
 

Took a second trip in 2007 but left my scope home. Used several of the dobs available instead. A

First trip was in April, their fall. Second in October leading into their summer. The 2 trips allowed us to see the whole southern sky. 
 

I returned to the states somewhat jaded and jealous about the richness of the southern skies. Observing in the north just wasn’t as much fun anymore.

 

DonW

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

Well, not quite. Your list of northern objects includes things that you can see -- and many stargazers in northern Europe might agree with your selection, though it's worth pointing out that Messier did observe M6 and M7 from Paris, at latitude 49N.

 

I live in the northeastern U.S. at latitude 42N, and the great majority of the U.S. population -- and an even greater majority of the stargazers -- live south of me. I can see both M6 and M7 without optical aid from my backyard, despite having a mediocre southern horizon.

You can't make everybody happy. Besides that, It's not totally made from my position: I can't look further than -20 without the atmosphere making the objects blurry. My record (talking about looking at the south) was the star Antares (-26)...I saw many colours except for the real ones. 

Edited by Whiteduckwagglinginspace, 19 June 2025 - 11:39 AM.

[Cpk133]

there's something fundamentally true about that line from crosby stills and nash, "when you see the 

southern cross for the first time".

And there’s also fundamental truth in that line from Stephen Stills.  “If you can’t be with the one you love honey, love the one you’re with, love the one you’re with”. 

[Tony Flanders]

You can't make everybody happy. Besides that, It's not totally made from my position: I can't look further than -20 without the atmosphere making the objects blurry. My record (talking about looking at the south) was the star Antares (-26)...I saw many colours except for the real ones.

I think the true bottom line here is that European stargazers have a very different idea of what's visible from North American observers.

Living in Norway you're obviously aware that most of Europe is south of you, but you're likely less aware how far north Europe is by world standards.

The population center of the U.S. is at latitude 37.4N, which is just 1.4 degrees north of the very southernmost tip of continental Europe. Toronto, Canada's largest city, is at latitude 43.6N, just about the same as the French Riviera.

[Javier1978]

The Tarantula nebula puts Orion to shame, and it’s actually in a nearby galaxy, not ours!

 

 

That is not my experiencie. M42 appears much brighter and in a greener hue through the eyepiece, and offers nice views even under polluted skies. Tarantula nebula is very elusive under light pollution. Under dark skies both are great but I will choose M42 anytime.

[Tony Flanders]

That is not my experiencie. M42 appears much brighter and in a greener hue through the eyepiece, and offers nice views even under polluted skies. Tarantula nebula is very elusive under light pollution. Under dark skies both are great but I will choose M42 anytime.

I think most people would agree that the Eta Carinae Nebula, the Orion Nebula, and the Tarantula are the three greatest emission nebulae in the sky, though there are certainly a few others nipping at their heels, like M8 and M17.

 

Anyway, the Big Three are each so different from the next that I don't think it's reasonable to choose a favorite. Eta Carinae is brightest overall by a fair margin, but it has no part quite as intense as the Huygenian region in M42. I think the Tarantula Nebula might be the most beautiful of the lot through big scopes under dark skies.

[MrsM75]

Both the northern and southern skies have compelling objects. That's why 15 degrees north is a great latitude.

 

I set my Stellarium to Perth, Australia and look at their sky, there is alot of places in constellations there that not have much stars, there actually alot of small constellations there in Southern hemisphere too,  not every constellations in Southern hemisphere has something stood out.

 

And nothing can be more beautiful than astrophotography and Hubble images. 

 

It all depends on the stuff you like. I don't like big objects, so Omega, and Big Maggenic clouds over there, astrophotography pictures still does nothing to my eyes, let alone visual.

 

The only thing I'm would love to have is M75 they see it higher there, while here I only see it at 34 degrees altitude.

 

The rest, sorry I choose the Northern hemisphere sky.

 

It all up to the eyes of the beholder and the type of objects they like to view, and their viewing style too.

 

Anyone who love Southern hemisphere so much, please when you Retire, move there to Australia or Argentina.

 

Do it. It be perfect for you.

 

I stay here in North America, also China is in Northern hemisphere too, I wouldn't trade a thing.

[ayadai]

Anyone who love Southern hemisphere so much, please when you Retire, move there to Australia or Argentina.

That's just the thing, you see. At 15N one can clearly see M42 AND Carina as well as many objects invisible to folks at larger latitudes both N and S, all with excellent seeing and never freezing while doing it all year round.

Edited by ayadai, 21 June 2025 - 05:29 PM.

[MrsM75]

That's just the thing, you see. At 15N one can clearly see M42 AND Carina as well as many objects invisible to folks at larger latitudes both N and S, all with excellent seeing and never freezing while doing it all year round.

 

yah. I agreed with you.

 

This is a freaking hobby, it not a competition on who can see more, and who can see what more, and who more bigger scopes than who. Maybe to some people it is, but never was to me.

 

And I have zero problem with my neighbor shine their lights all night, I do not go tell the "collective" to shut off their lights just for my "personal" hobby. Just like I do not like anyone to go to my door and tell me what I can do and not do with my own lights on my property.

 

There zero amount of Southern hemisphere can get me to go there with those dangerous snakes in Australia (and trust me there deadly ones), nor what ever bugs and spiders and whatever out there in Argentina.

 

But shrug. Move to Australia if those people love the Southern sky, I am sure your Retirement pension can be carry to Australia.

Edited by MrsM75, 21 June 2025 - 06:17 PM.

[Whiteduckwagglinginspace]

yah. I agreed with you.

 

This is a freaking hobby, it not a competition on who can see more, and who can see what more, and who more bigger scopes than who. Maybe to some people it is, but never was to me.

 

And I have zero problem with my neighbor shine their lights all night, I do not go tell the "collective" to shut off their lights just for my "personal" hobby. Just like I do not like anyone to go to my door and tell me what I can do and not do with my own lights on my property.

 

There zero amount of Southern hemisphere can get me to go there with those dangerous snakes in Australia (and trust me there deadly ones), nor what ever bugs and spiders and whatever out there in Argentina.

 

But shrug. Move to Australia if those people love the Southern sky, I am sure your Retirement pension can be carry to Australia.

For me, it's not about competition. (I'm too old for that childish stuff) But just curious if the Southern Hemisphere has more to offer than the north. 

In Australia are many of the most poisonous snakes, like the Inland Taipan. But the good news is, most of these species have a friendly character and will not bite unless you force them. Totally other story compared with the very poisonous Black Mamba (Africa) for example, who bites many times in a row, just because you were walking there. Chasing you with a speed of 20 km / 12 mile per hour.(experienced snake-keeper talking here)

Edited by Whiteduckwagglinginspace, 21 June 2025 - 07:10 PM.