There might be a way to show the grandkids stuff like this in real-ish time. I attended the
Grand Canyon Star Party earlier this year. It was incredible! Here is a picture of a 28" Dobsonian that was there. But arguably the coolest telescope was a small scope clear in the back. It had a dedicated astronomy camera attached to it and a wireless system that was sending a stacked image to an iPad. So you could see exactly what the scope was pointed at in real-time. I'm sure it was not cheap, but it was really cool. #astronomygoals
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Yes, this is what is called “live stacking” and EAA. While my main AP camera is mono, I simultaneously shoot with an one shot color camera for display to folks at outreach events.
While live stacking generally is pretty good with several options available, even subtracting some rudimentary sensor calibration frames, and being able to set quality parameters, nothing beats a beautiful dark sky site, and seeing visually a new object for the first time.
Peoples expressions the first time they see the rings of Saturn, or Jupiter and it’s many moons. Or even the blue of Neptune. Some on the many small bright objects like M27, M57, NGC6772, or it’s fainter companion. M97, the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, M81 & M82, M51, the Leo Triplet, the recent supernova in M60, heck any of the Messier objects, especially the Globulars or open clusters. And there are enough bright nebula visually too. Of course, everyone’s fav Orion, but the whole southern sky in summer, graced this summer by comet K2.
When people see M16, the Eagle Nebula, even with a pair of binoculars, then see a live stack of Hubbles most famous early image, the “pillars of creation“ in M16 for themselves, they kind of get this profound connection to the universe…that they can be part of this grand adventure too.
late July through August sees us under the delta Aquariid and Perseid meteor showers. No special equipment other than your family or grandkids and a blanket and bug spray necessary. Just look up after midnight to predawn.
Bring a pair of binoculars too, and sweep the sky and see what you can find. Discovering your first nebula or globular or open cluster, learning your way around the sky is a very educational and fun, sketch what you see even if you don’t know what it is your looking at…yet!