Herschel 400 Steve O'Meara's Guide

 Back in 2009-2011/12 I worked on and completed the Herschel 400, after which I did the Herschel 400 II and then the complete Herschel 2500.  Here is a copy of my 1st observations logs.  

This holds all my observations for my two Messier Observations, the first with my old XT8 dob and the second with my XT10. The H400 were done with my XT10, my XX14i.  The H400 II were done with the XX14i and then my 14" dob and I finished with the 17.5.  I then did the remaining H2500 in either the 14" i.e. about 30% and the other 70% in the 17.5" dob. The binder is about 6 inches in height. I actually have 3 of these binders filled. 

At first I wrote my observations as I did them, writing them down.  I then moved  to a 3x5  card that has the info I record on my observation sheet. See below. I then used a digital recorder to record my observation. I'm going back to that again as there are no lights on the recorder.  Then I record my observation's on a Google Sheet after loading them into SkyTools. If I sketch I add that now into my Sky Tools. 

So now besides going after Hickson Groups, and Abell Planetaries, I've decided to redo the H400 in my 17.5" dob. I'm going to use Steve O'Meara's list by month from his H400 Book.  As part of this as I'm recovering from my broken arm, I've began to make a Google Doc that has the STScI Image, inverted with north down, I've also added Steve Gottlieb's notes on these items from his 17,5 dob he used. I want to compare my observations to his. I'm done with April and you can view it HERE.  If you wish your own copy you can make a copy of it. Here is what Week 1 Day 1 looks like. There are 43 pages on this list. I am starting to work on May now and hope I can get it done this week. 

Views of 14 inch Dob at Top View March 25th and March 26th 2025

 Well as I have shared, I am recovering from a broken right elbow right now. I loaned my 14" dob to my friend Shane. He had two wonderful evenings of observing and shared the following photos of the 14" dob and the views from the site I call Top View off the Pony Express Road in Utah's West Desert. 

With the 14" the finderscope is loaded onto the Dovetail from behind. To secure this Shane made a velcro wrap that if for some reason the screw holding the finder fails, it won't drop unto the Zambuto mirror holding it. Here is what he did! Wonderful creativity! 

Observing Programs 2025

 Well I've decided that despite going after the Hickson's and the Abell Planetaries I am going after the Herschel 400 again.  Why? Yes I completed in 2018 the Herschel 2500 including the Herschel 400, yet in organizing my sketches and observations, I realized about 1/3 of my H400 were with my 10" dob other were with my old XX14i. I want to  actually do all of the 400 in my 17.5 and redo my sketches of them. I'm a much improved sketcher and feel I can do that with my other two objects and stay busy for the next two to three years.

This is a LINK to a Google Sheet of the H400 done by month and night according to Stephen O'Meara's Herschel 400 Observing guide. Hope that can help anyone who is trying to do the H400. I do highly recommend O'Meara's book.

I like O'Meara's book so much I have the hard copy for home reference and the paperback for the field.

I mainly use Sky Safari but this book is also great assistant in chasing down Herschel's by constellation, which is how I prefer to hunt now.

Here are the Sky Safari lists. The have it by H400, H400 by season and H400 by constellation.  

Out for March New Moon Observing

 Well on Sunday I was walking with my granddaughter (5) holding her hand and as we walked between cars she accidently tripped me and I fell hard.  I landed on my right arm with my hands and for the first time in my life I broke a bone.  I broke my right radial head neck fracture on my right elbow. A radial head fracture is a break in the radial head, a small, rounded bone at the end of the radius (one of the two bones in your forearm) near the elbow joint.  This occurred after my granddaughter accidently tripped me and I fell on my outstretched hand, with the elbow in extension and forearm in pronation.  For radial head fractures, treatment involves a sling or splint to support the arm, followed by gentle movement and physical therapy to regain function. I see my Orthopedic Specialist tomorrow to get my treatment plan. Shouldn't need surgery.

This is an image:

On another note my friend Shane let me know of this property which is for sale SW of where I observe in Vernon.  It is in a great location with SQM in the 21.73-21.8 range depending on season and direction.  It is 40 acres but te owner would sell it in 20 acres. The only LP is from the Wasatch front to the NW. It is 6800 feet. I'll build a roll off observatory if I get a large dob.  If however I decide not to,  I'll clear an observing area/field and put a nice trailer on the property or build a 1000 sq ft cabin and put in solar, septic and and a well. Probably start with a trailer and build up from there.  Here are images of the property.

Road leading up to and dissecting the property. It is about 6800 feet in elevation.  This is looking SSW.  Based on my other site and an observation near here a couple of years ago SQM L would be around 21.7 t0 21.8.  Salt Lake light dome to NE. Crispus rays are common out here.

Gate into the property. 

View looking south

Looking SSW

The property would let us have a place to escape to on weekends or when we are fully retired during the week. 

Mars March 9th, 2025

 Well Sunday night I worked on collimated my 17.5 and set it up in the backyard for an hour session. I looked at a few doubles and a couple of open cluster and I finished the night on Mars and on Jupiter. I did something I haven't tried before, to sketch on my iPad using Sketchbook. I have to say, I need more practice but I like how my initial sketch of Mars came out, while Jupiter is passable. I'll spend more time practicing and will improve. Here are the two sketches. 

Jupiter; March 9th, 2025, 17.5" f/4.4 dob; 10mm, 7mm, 5mm & 3.5mm Pentax XW; Paracorr Type II.  

Mars; March 9th, 2025, 17.5" f/4.4 dob; 10mm, 7mm, 5mm & 3.5mm Pentax XW; Paracorr Type II.  

Venus; March 9th, 2025, 17.5" f/4.4 dob; 10mm, 7mm, 5mm & 3.5mm Pentax XW; Paracorr Type II.  

SQM L Readings Around Salt Lake City/Northern and Western Utah

 This link will take you to a Google Sheet that shows my SQM L readings from various observing sites around northern Utah, save Conger Springs which is west of Delta before you get to Great Basin NatL Park.

My take away is this. Over the last 9 years of me taking readings, the LP at what I consider some of the best visual dark sites around Salt Lake City/Northern Utah show significant decrease in the readings. I think the biggest take away is even at sites like Elizabeth Ridge in the Uinta's or Conger Springs in the Sevier Desert are getting impacted by distant LP.

It seems to me that with the increase development along the Wasatch Front, sites that I love are only going to get worse. As I drive out to Rush Valley, Forest Road 006 and Cedar Mountain Wilderness, the ever increase of housing in Tooele, Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs and the western parts of each valley are impacting my observing sites.

Not sure what can be done but it seems to me that in 20 years, many of my sites that I use to consider great sites, will move from the 21.7 plus range down to the 21.4 range and other sites may drop into the 20.0 range.

Another item I measure is the increase of the light dome from Salt Lake using my hand. I use the following which isn't scientific but gives me an estimate:

Fist: A closed fist at arm's length spans roughly 10 degrees.

Full Hand: The distance between your thumb and pinky when spread out is approximately 25 degrees.

Pinky: The width of your little finger (or pinky) at arm's length is roughly 1 degree.

Index finger and Pinky: Spanning from the tip of your index finger to the tip of your pinky is about 15 degrees

Thumb and Pinky: Spanning from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your pinky is about 20 degrees

Three Middle Fingers: Your three middle fingers together are roughly 5 degrees

At Forest Road 006 at my favorite spots I observe from, I have seen since 2009 the light dome from the Wasatch Front increase from about 10 degrees over the horizon to somewhere between 20 to 285 degrees over the horizon. It makes observing in that direction rather worthless, until the objects climb up into Dob's Hole/Zenith.

I am not sure what can be done about it, but education and sharing of the night sky's above. Perhaps if enough people cared, we wouldn't lose our dark skies around northern and western Utah.

Cedar Mountain Wilderness

I am going to do something I haven't done for a while and share one of my favorite observing spot(s) west of Salt Lake.  It is the Cedar Mountain Wilderness area. Very dark, SQM 21.7 to 21.8 depending on the season and some wonderful places to set up and view. I usually prefer items on the west side of the mountain range as there are no lights coming from the western side. This website LINK shows a mountain biker who biked the range in one day. On his map are cameras that allow you to see what the road is like and some places to observe. 

Here is an image of sunrise off the main road. You can simply pull off the road and disperse camp and observe. I like a little more elevation though. 

Here is one map of the area: 

Here are some of the pictures of where I have observed. Note, this is not my car or trailer. 

Night looking south 

Here are some videos of this area. The first video is where the two images above come from. 

What is said in this video is very true. The dozen or so times I have observed here, I have never ran into people or had them near me. 

This is the video on YouTube that I like best of all. They went down off the west side of the range and it is the side I love. The gravel pit they mention is a good place but I prefer the more southern parts of the drive and the range to observe from. You do have the Salt Lake Light Dome to the east but the southeast, south, southwest and west, northwest and north are just beautiful but to be out in and to observe from! 

On Google Maps from my home it is about 1 hour and 50 minutes to one of my observing spots an 87.5 miles. Again, now with DST it isn't something I go to and come back, this is an overnight trip. 

Go west from Salt Lake City on I-80 for about 70 miles to exit 56. This is 56 miles east of Wendover. Once off the highway, head south and reset your odometer.

2.0 miles - Turn left onto the dirt road. This is just before the gated facility. ( 12T 332388mE 4511721mN / N40° 44' 22" W112° 59' 06" )

3.4 miles - Turn right (south). There is a BLM info sign here. ( 12T 334389mE 4511091mN / N40° 44' 03" W112° 57' 41" )

9.6 miles - Stay straight. ( 12T 331615mE 4502095mN / N40° 39' 09" W112° 59' 30" )

16.1 miles - Old log cabin on the left. Continue straight. ( 12T 330619mE 4492735mN / N40° 34' 05" W113° 00' 03" )

16.8 miles - Water hole on the left, and dirt road. Keep following the Cedar Mountain Road south for about 3.5 miles.  At one point look for the dirt road to the left and turn on it and follow it up. Here is a map as a guide. This goes from the water hold to where I like to observe here. 

Maps: 

Here is the eastern side I observe at: 

My other areas that I observe I call Rydalch Canyon Observing areas. Here are the directions to get there. They are on the eastern side of the Cedar Mountains. 

From Northern Utah County take Pioneer Crossing west from American Fork (becomes UT-73) about 42 miles to UT-36.  Turn left and continue 3-3/4 miles to UT-199, then head west another 22 miles toward Dugway.  At the church just outside the Dugway military entrance, take a hard right onto UT-196.  Continue north about 7-1/4 miles, and turn west (left) onto this dirt road.  The road proceeds on a straight course for about 5-1/2 miles, then veers northward (keep right at the fork).  Continue north then west along this road 8 miles to the crossroad, then north another 2 miles to the mouth of Rydalch Pass.  From this point, refer to information provided above for accessing the area from Skull Valley.

Here are those directions: 

To reach the western viewing areas from Skull Valley, take I-80 west from Salt Lake City approximately 43 miles to Exit 77 (U-196, Iosepa/Dugway).  Upon exiting, turn left at the stop sign and continue along UT-196 for approximately 17 miles.  Along the way, you will pass Lone Rock (3 miles) and Horseshoe Spring (9.5 miles).  As you approach the 20 mile marker, watch for the BLM sign at the southern end of the large cattle yard, indicating the road to Rydalch Pass and 8 Mile Spring.  Follow this dirt road for approximately 3/4 mile, until you cross the cattle guard.  Immediately beyond the cattle guard, veer southwest (left) onto South Valley Road (unmarked), and continue for another 12 miles to Rydalch Pass.  About 11 miles in, as you approach Rydalch Pass, Rydalch Road will join on the right.  Another road branches left toward Cochran Spring about 3/4 mile further on, but stay the course and follow around to the right, onto Cedar Mountain Road.   The pass itself is about 5 miles from entrance to exit. 

I intend to head there in late March, April or May, probably April or May depending of course on the weather. 

Satellites and Observing

 This came up on a thread on CloudyNights and I thought I would repost here. It seems on every observation I do I usually 2-3 satilletes as I observe, take notes and sketch.  However, from 1997 to 2019 Iridium Communications launched 66 communication satilletes that gave off what are called Iridium flares. I use to plan them into my observations as I thought they were fun to watch. Here are two videos of what they looked like if your interested because you haven't seen them or it's been 6 plus years since you've seen one and you want to recall what they looked like. 

This article LINK explains them and how the last one was phased out in 2019. 

Just Look Up Sometimes

 Yesterday, Lynda and I were gone for most of the day. I got home and considered pulling out my sketching and 10" dob to do some lunar and double star sketching. I was too tired so I just simply decided to look naked eye at the moon. I saw that the gibbous moon was in the middle of an equilateral triangle made up of Pollux, Castor and Mars. I tried making a photo on my iPhone but that didn't work out to well. So I did a naked eye sketch.  Naked eye sketch done in GIMP of Gibbous Moon with Castor and Pollux and Mars creating an equilateral triangle. The moon needs some work but it captures the view. It was fun! It just reminds me that naked eye observing can be fun also! 

Video of Utah West Desert

 Well, I had a Dr.'s appointment today and got told some news. Nothing terrible yet, just have to make some changes in my life, changes I anticipated this last fall.  So I made this video of my favorite sites in Utah's West Desert to cheer me up. Make sure you always treasure each and every day! Music is from Loreena McKennit album, The Ancient Muse. Song is The Never-Ending Road. 

Pictures from Observing and Video Feb 26 and Feb 27 2025

 I had thought about editing my previous post, but decided to just add a post with images of my sites I used.  Anyway, here are some pictures and videos. Again, the pictures are better if you click on them to enlarge them in my opinion. 

February 16th 2025

This is the Pony Express Road. It follows the route of the old Pony Express through the West Desert of Utah. The road was paved when I first started coming out here in 2006 and then the county it is in, tore up the road because of maintenance costs. Then it was repaved about 8 years ago for this segment. After this segment, it is a dirt road that leads far out into the West Desert of Utah. This LINK gives you more information about this trial and there are many wonderful observing locations located off of it! 

This is the road of Hwy 36 that leads out on the Wasatch Forest Land.  Those are the Sheeprock Mountains and the road is very dusty in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter, it is fine unless it is wet or muddy. I once took my Pathfinder out here and got up to FR006 and the mud went up to where the bottom of the rims are. I backed out and left as I wasn't setting up in those conditions and I didn't want to get stuck. 

More of the main road leading out. It gets less bumpy as you get farther out. 

Well, kind of. It gets a little bumpy again as you approach the end of the road. 

These are the signs at the end of this road. You either turn left and head out to the Vernon Reservoir where their are Forest Service toilets and campsites. Turning left leads one to disperse areas. I prefer the disperse areas, little to no people. 

This is the road after turning left. You can see Forest Road 006 near the top on the left, that is where you turn left.  It had a few slight ruts but nothing major. My Subaru Ascent was perfect out here. 

This is about 2 miles up Forest Road 006 approaching the mountains. Road looks wet but it wasn't, it was dry! 

Approaching the observing spot which is about 1/4 mile up this road. The fence is for a disperse camping area. 

This is the 17.5 dob which is set up but not collimated or aligned. The skies here are wonderful, though the Salt Lake light dome to the northeast has increased from about 5 degrees above the horizon to about 10 to 15 degrees now.  I won't observe to the northeast or if I do, the object has to be above about 20-25 degrees above the horizon, a fist to an open hands width. 

The 17.5 after I have collimated it. I am getting a shroud for it, but I have found at my dark sites I really have never used one. I find it keeps my mirror cooler and I don't have a problem with the image. However as I age now, I think a shroud will help as my eyes begin to deteriorate. 

My 14" strut dob with Zambuto mirror is in the background here. I let my friend Shane use it for these sessions since he has a 8 inch dob. Both scopes are wonderful and like with anything I own, I have made them mine by making adjustments. 

17.5 ready to go, collimated using Catseye Tools and aligned. My homemade observing chair is seen off to the left. Love my Ascent. When temps get just a tad warmer and with daylight savings coming on this Sunday, March 9th, 2025, I will start bringing my backpacking air mattress and 2 inch memory foam mattress that is rolled up and sleep in the back after observing. I have a wonderful cover for both scopes.  

The 17.5 facing the Sheeprock Mountains. I LOVE this location. I do fear in about 20-30 years it will degrade from the 21.7 down to 21.5 or so. When I first started coming here I use to get readings in the 21.8 to 21.9 but alas, we bring "more people, more stars upon the land."

This is my 14" that has a Zambuto mirror in it. I let my friend Shane use it since I stick mainly with the 17.5". I know some may not like the strut but Shane can share that this scope with the strings holds its collimation and the views it gives, well, they are simply spectacular! Both scopes have incredible mirrors in them and give off great views. 

I use the 14" when I do a quick trip to the Desert when I need to be quick in my observing, say 2 to 3 hours because I was either working the next day or now, I have appointments or such I need to be here for. I love that you can stand flat footed with this scope and never really need a chair. The only time I use a chair is with this scope is when I am sketching on it. 

The back view of the 14".  I believe as I get older, I will use this scope more and more and the 17.5" may become less used. We'll see how my health holds up. 

Me with the 17.5 as she is ready to go. I call the 17.5 Star Catcher and the 14" Star Viewer. Anyway, I am bundled up here. I have a merino wool base layer on, long pants and long shirt in merino wool. That is followed on the legs with a wool pant, followed by a polyester pant. Then the hunting bibs go over that. My feet have Keen Boots which I use for snow shoeing and are really warm. On my feet is a base polyester sock with a merino wool sock over that. 

On tope I have the merino wool shirt, a merino wool sweater, a polyester sweat shirt. Then I have a hunting parka that goes over that. Basically I take what a friend says he does when he bows hunt in a stand and dress like Him and I honestly can say I NEVER got cold on my feet, legs, torso, arms or head. On the head is a merino wool balaclava and my favorite observing hat is on above that. For my hands I usually use a merino wool mitten and I place a hand warmer in them. My hands come out when I sketch, so sometimes I use a wool mitten with open ends for the fingertips and sometimes my hands get cold. I have an electric hand warmer that I keep charged (two of them) and I keep them in my pockets for when I need to warm my hands up. I hate pictures of myself but oh well, I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy but I am WARM! 

Come spring and summer, some of the layers come off. I think some may be surprised but the merino wool layer stays on, even in the summer. I go from my winter merino wool layer to a summer merino wool layer, which isn't quite as thick. I found both in the Uinta's Mountains and in the West Desert of Utah, nights, even in the summer get cold!  Come summer I will wear the merino wool base layer, then a wool shirt and a polyester shirt. Legs have the merino wool base, a wool pant and then a polyester pant. That is usually enough to keep me warm. I can always remove a layer which I do as needed based on the temperature. 

I'll end with what is one of my favorite times when observing, twilight or what I love to call "Magic Time." This is the time when the world transitions from day to night. The day sounds begin to fade away; birds of the day go to rest and the creatures of the night begin to emerge. Owls come out, night birds join them. Coyotes begin to howl and if I'm lucky, I get to hear them rustling through the sage brush.  

For me, the earth seems to let out a sigh, a sigh of relief. Gone is the hustle and bustle of the day and soon comes the smoothing calm of the night. This time speaks to my soul. There are only three other times or places on this planet that I feel so peaceful, so calm.  I love this time and I hope these images capture my emotions, my feelings and my passion. 

I guess what I love is everything is set up, and the calm and silence of this moment is exactly what I need to refocus and re-energize myself. Don't get me wrong. I love people, and love being around others, especially my family. However, there is that spot in me that just loves being out in nature and enjoying this moment. My hope is one day one if not both my grandchildren find the same thing and come along with me, or take me as they go out.  

Looking north from my observing area off FR006. 

Looking east at a really magnified Mt. Timpanogos in my camera. If I didn't zoom in, the picture would be very tiny and faint. 

Mount Timpanogos at about 1/4 zoom, not full zoom. Gives you a perspective of how far out we are and how great this mountain is! 

Looking north to slightly northeast from the observing spot. 

Looking southwest toward the Sheeprocks! 

Looking southwest to more westerly at the Sheeprocks from the observing site. 

Looking west at the Sheeprocks. 

February 27th, 2025

Well, I didn't spend the night out at the Sheeprocks, probably should have as I got home about 3:40 a.m. in the early morning of February 28th, 2025. I slept in, got up and unloaded food and drink, and then did my daily hour long swim. I ran a few errands and spent a couple of hours working on stuff for a client. By 2:00 p.m. I was finished so I loaded up dinner and drinks, and drove back out to the West Desert, missing most of the late afternoon commute. 

Ten years ago it would take me only an hour and fifteen to twenty minutes to get out to my dark sites. Now, with all the increase housing and traffic on the first part of my drive out, it takes an hour and forty five minutes to over two hours sometimes or more to get out to these sites. I fear besides the increase of light pollution, the drive out could eventually become a hinderance for those seeking a visual astronomical experience. 

As I was driving out to observing this night, I snapped a shot of the desert where I was heading. It is different then Forest Road 006. Still a good ways out but it cuts about 45 off the trip. The site is up on a ridge and that is good as my old site was about 25 minutes further east, and that site has become a shooting area and shooters leave their targets and old TV's, computer monitors there so I won't use it anymore. That site also sits on a old lakebed so dew is a problem there and it is usually 5-6 degrees colder there. 

This is the sign on the left off the Pony Express Road that I turn to to head out. 

The road leading out, winding its way along. A tidbit of information here. If you see the mountain in the middle of the image, you can see a low spot just to the right. In the spring, when conditions are right, you can actually observe Omega Centauri there. Your dob will be almost vertical but you can see it. Even that low that globular is magnificent! 

Nice shot of how wide open the skies are here. 

Ok, a corny shot but I took it for my wife and to show that the temperature when I got to the site was in the low 60's! I was over dressed at this point! I ended up taking off the merino wool sweater until after the sun set. Just a gorgeous day! 

17.5 set up. 

17.5 set up, not collimated or aligned. You can tell because I still have the secondary covered. 

Front of the 17.5.  The sunlight really brought out the wood here. 

17.5 with mirror cover off, collimated with Catseye tools and aligned. Ready to o. You can see the step ladder, my observing chair and table I would use this night. 

I love how the 17.5 is ready in this image, baffle is on and she is ready. I also love how the setting sun set off the color of the Baltic Birch wood here. 

A good view of the scope, the back of the Ascent where I keep my eyepieces in the field and the back of the chair. On the step ladder are my bibs and parka as I wasn't anywhere near ready to put them on. It was just so clear, so transparent (see those mountains in the back ground!) and incredible! 

The 17.5 with the observing chair I made over 10 years ago, still going strong. 

Sun has set and all is ready except for me! 

I LOVE this shot.  I think it came out so well with Venus in the sky, the 17.5 in the twilight and the colors in the sky are just magical! Love this time of night. 

Again, a great shot looking west as the sun is setting, night approaches. Love the hues picked up here. This is natural, I didn't change a thing in this shot, no processing. 

Another angle that I thought I would share. 

I hope it is evident that when I observe, I love the entire experience. Shawn came out a little bit latter and I had to walk down the road to guide him in to the observing site, and then help him set up the 14".  It was such a great night! Both nights were incredible and I truly love this hobby. I hope that for a LONG time I can continue to go out to dark sites in Utah's West Desert. I love the mountains, I love the ocean, but I fell in love with the desert many years ago and am captured and moved by all the beauty that is out there. Both the beauty here on this earth and the wonders and beauties found in the sky above. I am a very lucky man.