I love this guy. He makes me enthusiastic about the trying as much as the succeeding.

M51 is also another excellent target just above Alkaid. Excellent video, please make this into a series. Constellation by constellation would be amazing.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Vinay. Thank you my friend...Indeed it is.. I will be doing more like this, so stay tuned. :)

i have watched this video several times and her i am back again. i love these "how to find" and "things to see" vids. they are great for us newbs.

As someone who is new to skywatching, I'm so glad I found your channel. Your method of explaining things is excellent. You take the mystery and anxiety out of this hobby.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Brian

Can't believe I've never questioned the bears long tail before lol Brilliant observation :D Great presenting and positive message Jason, you're making it look easy :)

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Chris, Thanks pal... Yeah, it's strange isn't it, a bear with a tail, a fox a cat a dog maybe, but a bear...What?

I have watched this video so many times now lol - just need the skys to clear to bloomin go see what it has to offer! Thank you Jason keep doing what you do its a great channel!

@smalloptics753

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind words my friend I hope it clears up for you soon.

I didn't realize there was so much to see around the Big Dipper. I definitely will check them out. You seem like a high school science teacher or a college professor. You are teaching us well. Thank you for a terrific videos.

Hi Jason, New to astronomy at 56 years old. Thankfully stumbled upon your channel, which is pitched just perfectly for beginners like me. Subbed immediately.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you my friend.. Welcome to this amazing hobby we all share :)

BEST channel to learn this wonderful Hobby!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve, very much appreciated :)

Supposed to finally have clear skies in 3 days. Can't wait to try out a couple of new eyepieces on these. Thx.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Your more than welcome Scott, enjoy your new eyepieces my friend. Clear skies :)

Very informative! I can't believe we have free access to this level of knowledge. Great work Jason, as always!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you and your more than welcome my friend. Glad you enjoyed. :)

@sosteve9113

7 ай бұрын

Agree very helpfully for a newbie as me

Never gave the tail a second thought. I hope this is going to be a series.

@EvenTheDogAgrees

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I guess one of the most common questions for newcomers to the hobby, after figuring out how to use their scopes effectively (the stage I'm currently at), is what to watch.

@neiltonks

2 жыл бұрын

@@EvenTheDogAgrees I'm a relative newbie to this. Everyone knows the plough. Just need some clear sky's!

@EvenTheDogAgrees

2 жыл бұрын

@@neiltonks Another nice one during winter is Orion, which has the Orion Nebula and the Running Man Nebula. It's a winter constellation though, at least in the northern hemisphere. Pretty recognisable constellation too; the main part looks a bit like an hourglass.

I’ve just seen my first two galaxies. Chuffed to bits thanks so much Jason. 6” dobs Bortel 5 but streetlights in my face. But you didn’t warn me I’d fall over looking overhead through the red dot finder! 😂

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Congratulations my friend your more than welcome 🙂

Very cool. The same is also true of the Summer Triangle: Vega/Deneb/Altair. I joined the starwatching family only last year (moved from city lights to dark-skies country with a big backyard) and quickly saw the clusters and craziness proximate to/surrounding both Deneb and Altair was/is astonishing, and easily accessible with just a good pair of field glasses/binoculars. Vega's interesting too but not as crowded as Deneb/Altair. Last October, the first star scene I wigged out over were the pair of cat eyes very close to Vega, (Epsilon Lyrae actually two sets of binary stars). My entry-level Orion Starblast scope just arrived. Headed 5k' up into the mountains during dark of the moon next week to see the milky way ribbon. cheers.

Thanks again Jason for an informative video that assumes nothing about the viewer's knowledge. As you say, start out doing it right. Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent. Oops! Meant this comment for your video on eyepiece cleaning! Senior moment...

Another fantastic video Jason!!

Jason do more, so helpful!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Mattias, Sure will pal I've got more planned so don't worry :)

Brilliantly explained , i totally agree with the comment suggesting more of the same with other constellations . Thanks again Jason.

Nice.

this is fantastic and very helpful for ppl new to the hobby.

Great video Jason, thanks.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank very much my friend, and your more than welcome :)

Interesting video, thanks for sharing ! - subscribed.

1 reason I heard for the tail is that when Zues cast Callisto into the sky, he swung her by the tail, which stretched it. Callist having been turned into a bear previously by Hera

The Mizar double star was my very 1st astro object when I got my first "proper" telescope. A 6" Dob (now use a 12" )

Hi Jason. The plough was my first constellation I found in the night sky and I've always seen it as a pot with a bent handle. It's so easy to photograph with dslr and smartphone these days. Now a bear in the sky and with a tail that's long so I think it's a different bear! Ursa major is a good name and Americans call it the big Dipper. It's one of those constellations it could be called a few more things and deep sky objects it got a few interesting sights. The owl is watching us and aliens could be looking at our milky way galaxy right this second. I found the plough in September 1988 when I asked my dad what's that group of stars and he said it's the plough. How did you get to know the plough? This constellation is one of those that you will always never tire looking at in the night sky and glad you did a video on this star group! Stay safe buddy and clear skies and keep an eye on the bear with the long tail!!!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Bushcraft. It's such a familiar sight in the night sky isn't it, also peppard with interesting objects a lot more than I covered here. Me too I was in Cornwall UK and asked the same question to my dad. Its funny, the amount of people who know virtually nothing about the night sky but they always seem to know the the plough. Take care pal, clear skies :)

looking forward to given these a go.Cheers

Great Videos Jason, 1. they are very informative and 2. happiness with which you present makes us happy, keep going 👍

Very informative guide to a famous group of stars...

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you my friend, pleased to hear you enjoyed :)

Very nice review!

My god. I have followed astronomy since 1965 and I've never even questioned about the Tail on the Great Bear- starting with the ladybird book of the night sky, a couple of years later going on to Patrick Moore's observers book of astronomy and not even questioning it!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Geoffrey. It's odd isn't it? A lot of people don't seem to question it until it's pointed out..

Great info. Thank you.

I think this is one of your best instructional videos.❤️

Wow thanks you should do this with more constellations

Great Informative Video Jason!! I could barely see m81 Galaxy from my skies through my 5 inch scope! Great mention of pinwheel galaxy and Owl Nebula! The Pinwheel is a Bit difficult to see from even from dark skies! Because it has a low surface brightness, the light is diffused and spread out! I would Galaxies Like M51 the whirlpool galaxy and Messier 106 in ursa major are Great galaxies to Observe on small telescopes and even binos! They are pretty bright! Good to see double stars mentioned!! Great Video mate! Have You Catched Any Of The Objects?? I haven't Yet!! I will Try bit with my 6 inch Scope Hopefully. Clear Skies mate!

Very informative and helpful video Jason, thank you.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Baruch, your more than welcome :)

Thank you so much. I love watching your videos. I'm new to astronomy and astrophotography. I'm using my celestron power seeker 114az with celestron adjustable 8-24zoom and a multi coat svbony 2x Barlow lens and a smartphone. Thanks for the help in all your videos. 😊

Excellent video!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Doug, very much appreciated :)

My friend , can u make a video on how to attach a small refractor telescope on top of a big reflector telescope ...?

This was amazing. looking forward to more such short and crisp "astronomy lessons".

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Remesh pleased to hear you enjoyed the video. I will be doing more like this so stay tuned. Take care, clear skies :)

Hi, love this kind of vid. Hope it's a series :) Really great way to discover all these objects. Piece-meal per constelation. What kind of magnification would be required to see e.g Pinwheel galaxy?

Cheers, just waiting for some clear sky's now, 👍

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Your more than welcome Mark. Me too, been clouded out for over 2 weeks now. Typical English Summer.

This was a good video! More simple videos like this please, it gives me a project for a dark night

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Stevie, Thank you friend, I've got lot's more "things to find and see" video's planned so stay tuned :)

@stevieg7403

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great news!! After watching your video I purchased the Svbony 105 , so I’m looking forward to some frustrating nights🙆‍♀️

Thanks! Great tips.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Your welcome friend :)

Hey, just wanted to let you know I'm noticing (and appreciating) a definite improvement in your videos. You're getting tighter and more focused, with less "dead space" between the interesting bits. As someone who also has a problem with brevity (which is the enemy of accuracy and completeness), I must say I'm quite impressed. :)

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Juan, appreciate that my friend. I am getting a bit more used to making videos now, still got a lot to learn though, as they say practise makes perfect..

Great video, thanks for the info very helpful

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Kyle, Thank you great to hear you enjoyed the video. Take care, clear skies :)

Love when you post videos like this Jason. Lots of good information here

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Nicholas, That's great to hear buddy, don't worry more like this coming soon :)

Very good tutorial, mate!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Willie :)

great information Jason, they sure do come up with some weird names for the stars 🔭 👍

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Frack. Thank you buddy.. Tell me about it lol, pronouncing some of them is often quite a challenge too :)

Good video Jason very helpful 👍 will have a go and find them (if the weather ever gets better🙄)I'm not going to lie I haven't had much success in finding deep sky stuff so far, but with ur expert advice surely I can't fail 🤷‍♂️🤣

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Andrew. Thank you my friend, keep at it you will succeed they are elusive at times but when you do find one, and you will, it's such a great feeling. Good luck, clear skies :)

Awesome vid Jason! Like other comments, I really do see improvement. Something you could do is show the simplified animated way to find the target, (with the moving line and such) and then show a real life picture from like stellarium or the real world. Love your vids mate!!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy, really appreciate your kind words. Take care.

Sorry got that mixed up I meant whirlpool galaxy 😁

This was such a great and informative video! I've been searching for constellation fact files like this for so long, so I'm incredibly glad to have found your channel :) happy stargazing Jason!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, so please you enjoyed the video.

my first constelation was Orion

Thanks for your chanel, Jason! Maybe worth a video how to prepaire an observation night - how to chose the objects. As a beginner I feel sometimes lost what objects are worth to pick for a successful observation.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Christian. Your more than welcome my friend. That's a great idea I will note it down as a future video, anything to help and encourage people with this amazing hobby we all share. Clear skies :)

@EvenTheDogAgrees

2 жыл бұрын

@@smalloptics753 Ooh, that would actually be nice. Could be a series of videos, starting with planning the viewing session (including the forecast, atmospheric conditions, finding out what will be visible and at what time), selection of the gear (not just the scope, but also things like tiles for under the tripod legs when setting up on soft ground, star charts, red lights, dew shields etc...), to setting up and preparing the equipment on-site, the actual viewing, and possibly post-processing the pictures if the session also included some photography. Too much for one video, but would be nice to have the entire process as a series of videos in a playlist, covering a single session. "A day in the astronomer's life" style, if you will. Of course, you do you. Don't let my enthusiasm for the subject talk you into heaps of work. :D

Nice one Jason enjoyed that ,is the pinwheel galaxy visible in a 6 inch scope just curious as you left that out ? 👍

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Stephen. Great to hear you enjoyed the video buddy.. Yes, but like I say in the video (a lot) a lot depends on the sky conditions, It is quite a difficult target to see, but with the right conditions you should be able to.. like all D.S.O's the larger the aperture of the the better really. Happy hunting, clear skies :)

@butchphaneuf9675

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you should Stephen. Like Jason says, don't give up! Even if you don't see it the first or third time, again as Jason points out, you'll be familiar with the "neighborhood" which will eventually pay off. Be sure to check seeing conditions as well. Dark skies are a must, but so is transparency for these really dim, elusive objects, like M101 and M74. Use averted vision and even jiggle the scope very slightly to induce some movement. You'll perhaps begin to note a very dim smudge or an area that just doesn't seem quite as dark as the surrounding sky. You've likely found it. Stay in the eyepiece and keep practicing averted vision. With a little practice you begin to pick up detail out of the corner of your eye rather than looking directly at the object. Clear skies, friend!

2 weeks since I bought my 8" Dob, and not a clear night since. Your videos are just about scratching the itch while I wait, patiently checking the forecast every day 😕

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Glen, Typical isn't it? Always happens when you buy new astro stuff.. Great to hear my vids are keeping you entertained in the meantime :)

Thanks! I put M81 & M82 on my list! I didn't know they are so easy to find. I have only a small 102 mm refractor, so maybe I can see them!

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Peter. Your welcome my friend. Yes you should be able to see them, they are going to look small and faint though but D.S.O's generally are anyway. Happy hunting, have fun :)

@wondersofthesky9454

2 жыл бұрын

Hey, if it helps, I like in a fairly light polluted area, I was able to easily see them both with my 102mm refractor. They nicely share the feild of view with a 25mm eyepiece (40x magnification). Clear skies!

2:57 Alcor shoult be above Mizar in the picture, not below. Declination Mizar: +54° 55′ 31.3″ , declination Alcor: +54° 59′ 16.7″

A nebula filter is never bad for observing those faint planetary Nebulae, even in a smaller scope. As for m81 m82, those one should be able to get with a small telescope. They are quite bright.

Hi, Jason 😊🤝😊 You are doing great with OKyeing 😀 Well done!👌 Nice tutorial, but you forgot about small little thing. Just small as the Sun ☀️😅 To see all those deep sky objects you must wait until a Sun is going down under the horizon at least for 16-17 degree 🌌🌅⬇️ In this month it happen usually after 23:00 and continue till 1:30...2:00 🕚🙃🕑 Otherwise you just can't see anything even with 6-8" telescope. Or galaxy's will be very-very weak and very hard to see it with your eyes 🔭😜 Only digital camera can see something with this sun pollution 📷🌌 Have a nice night. Clear skies! 😃👍

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hey MegaVolt's. Hahaha! I'm trying my best not to say it, I think I'm finally getting there XD.. Quite right buddy they are some valid points you made there.. You can guarantee I'll forget something when I make a video.. At least I remembered the OK.. :)

@MegaVoltTM

2 жыл бұрын

@@smalloptics753 yes, and this time it turned out very well, I think I heard it only 3-4 times in the whole video 😁👌

You didn't drop anything , YOU DIDN'T DROP ANYTHING ! what sort of video is this ? ...LOL , very nice Jason ,

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha! sorry to disappoint.. Cheers Tom :)

The Plough = Father Christmas' sleigh and reindeer.

The big dipper and the little dipper we call them in Canada

Hello Jason, of course dark skies = dark skies. However, do you per chance have a rough suggestion as to the Bortle value to view these? If we were looking from the average 5 say, would these be visible, or would you need even darker skies, 4 or even a rare 3 for the average hobbyist?

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Phoenixious. For the pinwheel and owl you are going to need a Bortle of 4 and below but for the M81-82 I've seen them in town conditions with a Bortle of around 5-6 any higher than that and your going to struggle. Hope this helps. Clear skies friend.

@theopenbrit2623

2 жыл бұрын

@@smalloptics753 Many thanks. That's helpful :).

👍🏼

Hey Jason, I'm just wondering why you didn't mention m108 and m109? M108 is right next to the owl nebula, and m109 is right next to Phecda.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello there.. No particular reason really, its just that as you probably know there are quite a lot of M targets and in future videos I am hoping to cover all of them eventually. 🙂

@wondersofthesky9454

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds good! Looking forward to more videos, I enjoy watching your channel.

You look a bit like Bob Mortimer lol

I don't care about the plough, I live in Australia. I took pictures of the milky way with my Nikon D5300 7 years ago, and have been wanting a telescope ever since. I finally ordered and received a Celestron 130SLT from an ebay vendor in the UK, not because he was the cheapest (he wasn't), but because he answered my questions promplty and politely. Now you must explain to me the gods of astrophotography. I got the scope on Thursday, about midday. The sky was clear. It took me a few hours to assemble it, and find that the hand control had changed from the RS232 previously advertised to a USB mini B. OK, so I couldn't control via computer, but I could still align and use the handset, right? Wrong. By the time I'd aligned the spotter, clouds had rolled in, and no stars were visible. And, according to various sites, will stay with me for at least the next three days. Please tell me how I offended these astrophysical gods, and what I must do to atone.

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hello BBG. It's sod's law my friend, here in the UK it's been really bad for months (ever since I got the camera) but looks like we are getting a good spell of weather next week... You may not have the plough but you've still got plenty of awesome things to see that us Northerners envy.. I would love to see your skies, I would be so odd (for me that is) not to see the Plough in the night sky.. Yes the PC control not been connected sudden't effect the hand controller.. I wish I had a answer to please the astrophysical god's.. I keep trying.. But they NEVER LISTEN!

@bgg4865

2 жыл бұрын

@@smalloptics753 Then I shall worship Satan, and put a chickens foot into the barrel of my scope.... it couldn't produce any worse results than I'm currently getting.

Sloth bears have tails

The problem with old style Street lights they wasted their light by shining upwards, now, they have updated the lights so now the light shines downwards more....... Still no help as these are very bright. Need someone with a air rifle or a good aim with a catapult........ Asking for a friend

@smalloptics753

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Chris.. Quite true, they've just altered the lights in our area to downward pointing lights and it has improved the skies a little where I am as my house sits on a hill slightly above the glow.. My main problem is neighbours who have incredibly bright security lights that are on from dusk till dawn and believe me I've often thought about an air rifle..

I would get a hernia carrying that scope outside.