On Wed, 19 Dec 2001, Dillon, Dillon, & Kuh wrote:
> For me myself, I say skeearoo the Herschels. There was a discussion of this
> list on amastro last month, whether it's the mark of a true observer.
> Brack. Now of course it's a very nice pin, let no man gainsay it. I'd just
> much rather go with lists of gaudier objects. The Dickinsons form a serious
> list, all cool objects, and they are keeping me nicely off the streets a
> year and a half already (with numerous side excursions).
The "Dickinsons" are, as I recall, the compiled DSO described in
depth on the B-side pages of the Edmunds Mag 6 Star Atlas. Is this
correct, Jamie?
From my limited experience with this atlas, I think this is a
wonderful post-Messier list to accomplish, and I dare say that it's
what I'll be attempting once I run out of Messiers.
> When I become the
> only person I know with the Dickinsons under their belt, DeepMap will be
> the next checklist. M. Marcus is doing that list and very happy with the
> eyecandy.
I've heard very good things about the DeepMap 600 too. That list
seems, from my readings, to be a true "best of" list, while the H400
seems to include quite a few... what's the polite term? "Challenge
objects?" Yes, that.
> Then on to SkyAtlas. And Burnham's, what a great list!
A list of lists!
Yes, indeed. Albert has been very generous with sharing the details
of and his approach with the SkyAtlas list. And with the
publication of the companion volume for that atlas, I think it makes
a sensible Big List.
I think you've put signposts down along a wonderful path, one after
my own heart. The H400 isn't a list that fires my imagination --
perhaps it seems too artificial, or too design-by-committee, or too
inconsistent. With the Dickinsons and the DM600, you at least get
one man's opinion of the best objects out there, in reach of a
certain telescope size. This appeals to me.
And then there are those lists which dwarf all others -- those lists
that may require the purchase of a larger telescope. I'm thinking,
in particular, of Kepple and Sanner. Isn't Bob Czerwinski
attempting a Night Sky Observers Guide survey?
> Clear skies a requisite,
Verily. God's teeth, my work schedule doth suck. I think I'm going
to bite the bullet and just forego sleep in order to get out. I may
be amassing gray hairs at an alarming rate, but I think I've got
some youthful vigor left in my bones. ;-)
Jason Newquist
Santa Clara, California
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