Has anyone seen Omega Centauri from the southern states?

Here at declination +32 degrees, Omega Centauri (at -48 degrees) would be about 10 degrees above my southern horizon. I've never tried to see the globular cluster because I figured it would be too low on the horizon. But I wonder....

I've seen it from Pennsylvania on one occasion, from North Carolina, and from Florida, as well as from the Caribbean and Bolivia.

You should be able to see it easily from 32 degrees north.

Dave Mitsky

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I'm going to try tonight but the waxing gibbous Moon will probably wash out the sky. It should be 10 degrees above the horizon - a closed fist's distance above the horizon.

I saw it from Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, when Halley's comet was close to it just above the mountaintop horizon. The two objects looked very similar in binoculars.

I found it using my 7x50 binocs! I star-hopped starting at Theta Centaurus, straight thru the two stars Nu and Mu Centaurus, then about the same distance and there it was - a dim smudge. The Moon is approaching full and very much "in the way". It was just about the same brightness and size as M13 in Hercules. This is great! Now I have to wait a few days till the Moon isn't around to use my Astroscan and my 6-in Newt.

An old dog can see something new!

I have often seen Omega Centauri from the suthern states of Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia

I don't think my little Astroscan will resolve it into stars - probably have to jump to my 6-in Newt for that, as long as it's not too low on the horizon. I have about one more week to do this, else I will have to wait till the southern part of Centaurus is visible again in the very early morning hours before dawn.

I'm going to make a trip to Melbourne sometime because I want to see it almost straight overhead. And the other wonders of the southern skies.

A friend of mine, Dennis Young, has a 28" home built Dob that he uses for star parties. He had it set up close to my measly 10" Meade LX200 GPS at the Grand Canyon Star Party in June 2005. Omega Centauri was low on the horizon but he offered me a look at it from the clear, dark skies at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA! WOW! This about blew my eyes all the way back into their sockets! Color, and a gazillion stars! I was deeply impressed! Aperture rules!

On a sad note, however, while I was looking at Omega Centauri, the right support bearing for his Dob (thick plywood) gave out, and the scope (about 10' long) lunged toward the right side, with the spider cage and one very expensive Nagler eyepiece plunging towards Earth. Fortunately, I was there and managed to catch the cage and stop it before it pinned my hand to the ground. I cradled the cage between my left hand and left knee while Dennis and another good friend, Jim Mahon of the Local Group Santa Clarita Valley reset the mirror cage onto a support so the damage could be inspected. On a positive note , Dennis made a "field repair" by fashioning some aluminum angle iron he had with him, and made a new bearing surface the very next day. He was operational that night, and his scope seemed not that much worse for the potential death it could have sustained the previous evening! Way to go, Dennis!!!

Still a very fond memory, my first view of Omega Centauri. I imagine if I could see it from Arizona that I should be able to see it from a good location with a low horizon somewhere near my home in the Los Angeles area (at the right time of year, of course).

Clear skies!

Paul

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Wow - 28-in Dob!

According to my star atlas it takes at least 15 cm (6-in) aperture to resolve it into stars. I'm going to try in a few days (after the Moon is out of the way) to resolve it, first with my dinky Astroscan (4.3 in), and then with my 6-in Newt. It is about 10 degrees above the horizon. Last night I saw (with binocs) all the way down to Epsilon Centaurus. I think, if I get out of this Tucson bowl (surrounded on all sides by mountains), I can see all the way down to Gamma Crux (-57 degrees). The theoretical horizon here in Tucson is -58 degrees.

Have to get that 12-in Dob!!!!

I'd stay away from Melbourne then! A city of three million and with notoriously cloudy weather is not much chop for astronomy.

If you are heading down this way I would suggest going to Arkaroola in the northern Flinders ranges. Clear desert skies, 600 km or so from the nearest city and the resort has two 14" telescope for public use. It is also a spectacular place scenery wise with lots of wild life. There is an annual star party in late January. See http://arkaroola.com/ . I attended the first one in 2006 and have been to Arkaroola many times on other occasions, so know the people and the place quite well.

Cheers

Jon

It's a dream I have, one that will probably have to wait till I retire. I just picked Melbourne because it was in the south. Arkaroola sounds wonderful.

Paul,

I was at the 2001 Grand Canyon Star Party and did a bit of observing through your friend's 28-inch Dob. Its single truss design makes it a rather unusual telescope.

Dave Mitsky

__________________
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Arkaroola certainly is a wonderful and unique place. The guy who established it, Reg Sprigg, was a true visionary. Hope you an make it there someday in the not too distant future.

Other than Omega Centauri, 47 Tucanae is very cool too!

When I go I want to see everything! Including, of course, Australia.

That's good, it's not just a surface to stand on while looking at the stars! Let me know if you want any suggestions. Don't forget Canberra while you are here.

I like your avatar - any connection with your interest in things centauri?

Cheers

Jon

I won't be getting to Oz for a year or two - but when it happens I hope I'm still on this forum - I'll ask some serious questions then.

My avatar is the character Oreius from Narnia. Yes - I thought it somewhat apropos.

P.S. If you ever happen to travel to southern Arizona, I'll let you know what to see here - of course, like Canberra, Kitt Peak is a must see.

Tim

He was a very good representation of a centaur (even though not original).

I may well be able to take you up on your kind offer. I am trying to get funding to go to the LPSC in March,and my colleague is based at the PSI in Arizona.

Cheers

Jon

Cool. OZ to AZ.

Send me an e-mail, send me a PM, or mention it here in a thread. There are many others here from AZ who can also offer advice as to what is a 'must-see'.

BTW, March is an excellent time to visit AZ - the weather is almost perfect.

Tim

Sounds great, will do!

Last night I tried to resolve Omega Centauri with my 4-in Astroscan at 60x. I didn't think I would be able to and I was right.