Favorite Southern Targets

Greetings,

I will be taking a trip to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica next week with my newly acquired 80mm short refractor (Nighthawk ala Astromart). Although it seems I will not be able to see below about -72 degrees declination, I have never had the opportunity to see below what Maryland offers.

Does anyone have a recommended sight I should not miss? Will the seeing be ok on the coast, or should I try to get to a higher elevation? Should I stick with wide views or push the magnification? Thanks for all your help. I'll come back with a report (but no photos).

-David

Anything and everything "south" of Canis Major.

Carina, Vela, Lupus, Crux, Centaurus, etc.

You simply *must* stay out and observe past local midnight. Around 1am (if you can manage), the southern horizon will be dominated by the southern Milky Way -- between Lupus in the SE and Canis Major in the WSW. Scorpius rises during this timeframe (SE again), and around 2am, you'd find me "touring" the sky between Scorpius and Canis Major. There are clusters galore, there -- particulary along the sector between Sco and Crux. You'll find Alpha & Beta Centaurus, the Eta Carina nebular complex (huge and brighter than M42), Canopus, and plenty other jaw-dropping, grin-inducing wonders.

The weather will determine seeing conditions along the coast. If things are calm, seeing should be fine. Just find some place dark (easy enough to do).

By all means, take a pair of binoculars, if you can. Anything in the 8x40-to-10x50 range will likely bring you more giggles than you can imagine.

Also -- Jupiter and Saturn will be *high* overhead. Give them a look-see, if you can -- especially if the seeing is excellent.

I envy you, David. I'll keep my fingers crossed for good weather in Costa Rica. Are you going to Puntarenas? Quepos? Tamarinda?

Be prepared to go through Southern Milky Way Withdrawl, once you return to Maryland. :-)

Best wishes and mind-blowing views, sir.
-Dan

In addition don't miss Gamma Velorum, NGC 2477, IC 2602, NGC 3532, NGC 4755 (the Jewel Box), NGC 5128 (Centaurus A), and especially NGC 5139 (Omega Centauri). The Coalsack Nebula is a great binocular object.

There are a lot more worthy targets on these lists:

http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/similar/albi-s.html

http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/similar/cozens.html

Dave Mitsky

Hi David,

You could have a look at my website for southern sky objects. It might give you some idea of what to look for.

http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/mclark/

Cheers,

Maurice