M51 is also another excellent target just above Alkaid. Excellent video, please make this into a series. Constellation by constellation would be amazing.
@smalloptics7532 жыл бұрын
Hello Vinay. Thank you my friend...Indeed it is.. I will be doing more like this, so stay tuned. :)
@CrazyMan08242 ай бұрын
From my location as of now, I find it just below. Is it the time of year or two years later had shifted its position? 7/2024
@Astrolavista3 жыл бұрын
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 :)
@smalloptics7533 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?
@SpungusX13 жыл бұрын
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.
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you Brian
@rickpassey8046 Жыл бұрын
I love this guy. He makes me enthusiastic about the trying as much as the succeeding.
@Mr123tallpaul2 жыл бұрын
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! 😂
@smalloptics7532 жыл бұрын
Congratulations my friend your more than welcome 🙂
@stevew5852 жыл бұрын
BEST channel to learn this wonderful Hobby!
@smalloptics7532 жыл бұрын
Thank you Steve, very much appreciated :)
@gene1647 Жыл бұрын
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.
@anjconsultant68329 ай бұрын
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!
@smalloptics7539 ай бұрын
Thank you for your kind words my friend I hope it clears up for you soon.
@brenthann26236 ай бұрын
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.
@pww65813 жыл бұрын
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.
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend.. Welcome to this amazing hobby we all share :)
@rik94sivie3 жыл бұрын
Very informative! I can't believe we have free access to this level of knowledge. Great work Jason, as always!
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you and your more than welcome my friend. Glad you enjoyed. :)
@sosteve911311 ай бұрын
Agree very helpfully for a newbie as me
@scottb51783 жыл бұрын
Supposed to finally have clear skies in 3 days. Can't wait to try out a couple of new eyepieces on these. Thx.
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Your more than welcome Scott, enjoy your new eyepieces my friend. Clear skies :)
@spwb2k Жыл бұрын
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.
@TrottersAirways-rc5 ай бұрын
Brilliantly explained , i totally agree with the comment suggesting more of the same with other constellations . Thanks again Jason.
@xeniavader2 жыл бұрын
this is fantastic and very helpful for ppl new to the hobby.
@pathogan48542 жыл бұрын
looking forward to given these a go.Cheers
@MR.MR.883 жыл бұрын
Jason do more, so helpful!
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Hello Mattias, Sure will pal I've got more planned so don't worry :)
@MM0IMC3 жыл бұрын
Very informative guide to a famous group of stars...
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend, pleased to hear you enjoyed :)
@AstronomyGuides3 жыл бұрын
Interesting video, thanks for sharing ! - subscribed.
@rovasiroszkita24483 жыл бұрын
Great info. Thank you.
@butchphaneuf96752 жыл бұрын
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...
@AmatureAstronomer Жыл бұрын
Nice.
@bobbya86222 жыл бұрын
Very nice review!
@geoffreyevans15493 жыл бұрын
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!
@smalloptics7533 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..
@dougwilson19273 жыл бұрын
Excellent video!
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you Doug, very much appreciated :)
@AdmiralPrune23 жыл бұрын
Great video Jason, thanks.
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank very much my friend, and your more than welcome :)
@kharnethebetrayer41258 ай бұрын
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
@persimmon34583 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Great tips.
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Your welcome friend :)
@bushcraftandastronomer.37753 жыл бұрын
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!!!
@smalloptics7533 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 :)
@bobmeyer9930 Жыл бұрын
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. 😊
@44messier2 жыл бұрын
The Mizar double star was my very 1st astro object when I got my first "proper" telescope. A 6" Dob (now use a 12" )
@TheUrbanAstronomer3 жыл бұрын
Another fantastic video Jason!!
@nigelcrane64292 ай бұрын
Thank you Jason for this very informative video that I’ve just seen for the first time. I wish I could save this one because I’m new hobby and I know this will be helpful when I can get outside to view.
@markmccabe96883 жыл бұрын
Cheers, just waiting for some clear sky's now, 👍
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Your more than welcome Mark. Me too, been clouded out for over 2 weeks now. Typical English Summer.
@kylehines18383 жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks for the info very helpful
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Hello Kyle, Thank you great to hear you enjoyed the video. Take care, clear skies :)
@neiltonks3 жыл бұрын
Never gave the tail a second thought. I hope this is going to be a series.
@EvenTheDogAgrees3 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.
@neiltonks3 жыл бұрын
@@EvenTheDogAgrees I'm a relative newbie to this. Everyone knows the plough. Just need some clear sky's!
@EvenTheDogAgrees3 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.
@kmichaelp45083 жыл бұрын
I think this is one of your best instructional videos.❤️
@IndianKnowledgeWorld3 жыл бұрын
My friend , can u make a video on how to attach a small refractor telescope on top of a big reflector telescope ...?
@BarryJohn22113 жыл бұрын
Very informative and helpful video Jason, thank you.
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you Baruch, your more than welcome :)
@rameshbhadri12943 жыл бұрын
This was amazing. looking forward to more such short and crisp "astronomy lessons".
@smalloptics7533 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 :)
@camj37063 жыл бұрын
Wow thanks you should do this with more constellations
@siddharthabhatt2 жыл бұрын
Great Videos Jason, 1. they are very informative and 2. happiness with which you present makes us happy, keep going 👍
@avt_astro2063 жыл бұрын
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!
@EvenTheDogAgrees3 жыл бұрын
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. :)
@smalloptics7533 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..
@BennyKleykens2 жыл бұрын
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?
@nicholasadams6683 жыл бұрын
Love when you post videos like this Jason. Lots of good information here
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Hello Nicholas, That's great to hear buddy, don't worry more like this coming soon :)
@andrewpattie3583 жыл бұрын
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 🤷♂️🤣
@smalloptics7533 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 :)
@SuperWillie03 жыл бұрын
Very good tutorial, mate!
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you Willie :)
@bennybooboobear39403 жыл бұрын
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!!
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy, really appreciate your kind words. Take care.
@frackcenturion3 жыл бұрын
great information Jason, they sure do come up with some weird names for the stars 🔭 👍
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Hey Frack. Thank you buddy.. Tell me about it lol, pronouncing some of them is often quite a challenge too :)
@stevieg74033 жыл бұрын
This was a good video! More simple videos like this please, it gives me a project for a dark night
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Hello Stevie, Thank you friend, I've got lot's more "things to find and see" video's planned so stay tuned :)
@stevieg74033 жыл бұрын
That’s great news!! After watching your video I purchased the Svbony 105 , so I’m looking forward to some frustrating nights🙆♀️
@jupiter-golden56423 жыл бұрын
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!
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Thank you, so please you enjoyed the video.
@CS-rk1mh3 жыл бұрын
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.
@smalloptics7533 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 :)
@EvenTheDogAgrees3 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
@Garmy1 Жыл бұрын
my first constelation was Orion
@glenhughes80132 жыл бұрын
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 😕
@smalloptics7532 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 :)
@bgg48653 жыл бұрын
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.
@smalloptics7533 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!
@bgg48653 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.
@stephennelson8123 жыл бұрын
Nice one Jason enjoyed that ,is the pinwheel galaxy visible in a 6 inch scope just curious as you left that out ? 👍
@smalloptics7533 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 :)
@butchphaneuf96752 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!
@orangeedo2 жыл бұрын
The Plough = Father Christmas' sleigh and reindeer.
@stephennelson8123 жыл бұрын
Sorry got that mixed up I meant whirlpool galaxy 😁
@tomjones21213 жыл бұрын
You didn't drop anything , YOU DIDN'T DROP ANYTHING ! what sort of video is this ? ...LOL , very nice Jason ,
@smalloptics7533 жыл бұрын
Hahaha! sorry to disappoint.. Cheers Tom :)
@Peter-lm3we3 жыл бұрын
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!
@smalloptics7533 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 :)
@wondersofthesky94543 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!
@arminulrich2319 Жыл бұрын
2:57 Alcor shoult be above Mizar in the picture, not below. Declination Mizar: +54° 55′ 31.3″ , declination Alcor: +54° 59′ 16.7″
@MegaVoltTM3 жыл бұрын
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! 😃👍
@smalloptics7533 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.. :)
@MegaVoltTM3 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 😁👌
@brandonrunyon3 жыл бұрын
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.
@WiseOwl_14082 жыл бұрын
The big dipper and the little dipper we call them in Canada
@DrNat13 жыл бұрын
👍🏼
@wondersofthesky94543 жыл бұрын
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.
@smalloptics7533 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. 🙂
@wondersofthesky94543 жыл бұрын
Sounds good! Looking forward to more videos, I enjoy watching your channel.
@Bortle102 жыл бұрын
Sloth bears have tails
@theopenbrit26233 жыл бұрын
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?
@smalloptics7533 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.
@theopenbrit26233 жыл бұрын
@@smalloptics753 Many thanks. That's helpful :).
@Xerbraski3 жыл бұрын
You look a bit like Bob Mortimer lol
@3dfxvoodoocards62 ай бұрын
From a bortle 6 city, with a 4 inch FPL51 F7 refractor I simply wasn't able to see M101. Bode's galaxy, M82, M106, M94, M63, M51 are all visible but M101 simply isn't.
@Bushy-732 жыл бұрын
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
@smalloptics7532 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..