M34 | 3/24/25 | Phoenix, AZ

Field	Data
Results
Notes	* Baseline with default settings * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_34
Object Name	Messier 34
Type of Object	Open Star Cluster
Catalog ID	NGC 1039
Date	3-24-25
Time	7:00 PM
Location	10210 N 37th Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Power
Instrument	Dwarf II Image resolution: 8 megapixel (tele), 2 megapixel (wide) Aperture Diameter: 24 mm Focal Length: 100mm (equivalent focal length 675mm (tele) and 48mm (wide) F-number: 4.2 for telephoto, 2.4 for wide-angle Field of view: 3-degrees (Tele), 50-degrees (Wide)
Polar Alignment	No
To polar align the Dwarf II telescope, you need to mount it with the axis of the base (azimuth axis) pointing in the same direction as the Earth’s axis of rotation. In the northern hemisphere, you can align the Dwarf 2 with Polaris (the north star) to resolve this issue.
Filter Used	None
ND filters come in a variety of densities with the number in its product name (i.e. 50) signifies the amount of light it can transmit (50 being 50%, 10 being 10%, and so on). Essentially the higher the density, the better it is in reducing the glare in the image. Planetary filters play a very important role in observing planets because each of our galaxy’s planets has their own color characteristic. The space objects might also add unique light pollutants to the planet observed making these narrow wavelengths of light unwanted. #8 Yellow – great neutral color that won’t change the natural color of the Moon while effectively improving contrasts. #12 Yellow – great for Mars, and might also help with certain conditions of moon viewing. #21 Orange – number 21 is great for Moon and Mercury, very effective in improving contrasts, and would really shine in larger aperture telescopes. #23A Light Red – the number 23, light red filter is especially great for Great at enhancing the contrasts of the red planet, and can also help lunar viewing. #25 Red – great for Venus and Mars, the number 25 or red filter is more versatile than 23A especially for Venus viewing. #38A Dark Blue – great for Venus and Jupiter especially in improving the contrasts of the gas giant. #47 Violet – for Moon and Venus, especially for the clouds on Venus and Mars’ polar caps. Also great to view the rings of Saturn. #82A Light Blue – great to enhance the sharpness on Mars viewing
Seeing
E (excellent) - The brighter stars are not twinkling at all VG (very good) - The stars are twinkling slightly, but the brighter planets are not twinkling G (good) - The brighter planets are twinkling slightly F (fair) - The brighter planets are obviously twinkling P (poor) - The atmosphere is turbulent. all objects are twinkling to the points where observation is not practical
Transparency
1 - If you can't see Polaris. 2 - If you can only see Polaris. 3 - If you can see the two stars on the end of the bowl of the Little Dipper (Kochab and Pherkad). 4 - If you can see any of the stars in the handle of the Little Dipper. 5 - If you can see 6 of the 7 stars in the Little Dipper. 6 - If you can see all 7 stars in the Little Dipper. 7 - If you can see stars near the Little Dipper that are not part of the stick figure. (I envy your young eyes...)

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Todays Thought

Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of. And since Hiroshima we know what is at stake. 

-Viktor Frankl, author, neurologist and psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor (26 Mar 1905-1997)

Seeing and Transparency Guide

 

Seeing and Transparency Guide 

Seeing and Transparency are values that an observer uses to compare the quality of the sky from night to night. The values are very specific to an individual observer's visual acuity. Seeing is a measure of how stable the sky is. Transparency is a measure of how clear the sky is. Most of the Astronomical League's Observing Programs require the observer to evaluate these conditions for each observation and to record them in their observation log. 

Here are two scales that are acceptable for all Observing Programs. They are simple to use and require no special equipment. Both of these values can be done very formally using special equipment, but for the AL Observing Programs this level of effort is not required. 

Seeing: How stable is the sky? 

  E (excellent) - The brighter stars are not twinkling at all. 

  VG (very good) - The stars are twinkling slightly, but the brighter planets are not twinkling. 

  G (good) - The brighter planets are twinkling slightly. 

  F (fair) - The brighter planets are obviously twinkling. 

  P (poor) - The atmosphere is turbulent. all objects are twinkling to the points where observation is not practical. 

Transparency: How clear is the sky? 

 Transparency is a measure of what you can see in the nighttime sky in spite of dust, smoke, haze, humidity, or light pollution. An easy way to measure this is to use the magnitude of the faintest star you can see. Ideally, this would be looking straight up at zenith. But, to make life simpler, you can use the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) if you can see it. Here is the scale. 

  1 - If you can't see Polaris. 

  2 - If you can only see Polaris. 

  3 - If you can see the two stars on the end of the bowl of the Little Dipper (Kochab and Pherkad). 

  4 - If you can see any of the stars in the handle of the Little Dipper. 

  5 - If you can see 6 of the 7 stars in the Little Dipper. 

  6 - If you can see all 7 stars in the Little Dipper. 

  7 - If you can see stars near the Little Dipper that are not part of the stick figure. (I envy your young eyes...) 

 Although atmospheric extinction will vary from season to season, and from latitude to latitude, using the Little Dipper is a simple and reasonable solution.

Todays Thought

I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few. 

-William Morris, poet and novelist (24 Mar 1834-1896)