March 18 and March 20th, 2009 Observations

On the evening of March 18, the sky was clear and I thought it would be a good time to retry for NGC 2371/2, a planetary nebula in Gemni. I set up and waited for the scope to cool down and around 8:30p.m. began my search. I started at Pollux and went east past 2 stars in line with Pollux, and they are around 4 degrees apart. I then went past two close set of stars to a triangle, with its point pointing SW. Just off the point star in the triangle I went diagonally and using the filter bagged NGC 2371.

At 92x in the 13mm Stratus the PN was very faint and averted vision showed some detail. I was able to see a break in the PN, as if it was in two parts. At 92x the PN is gray and is diffused near the edge and a very bright center. Central star at 15th magnitude is not visible. I used the 2x Shorty Barlow on this with the 13mm Stratus at 184x and it really helped. The diffused outer shell is visible at 184x with a bright inner core, and the nebula is in two parts. The SE part is larger and brighter on its NW side. The upper or NW portion is smaller and is also brighter on the NW side. The white dwarf or star this is in the process of becoming a white dwarf has to be in between these two parts. Looking at images after I observed I believe the two bright parts of the nebula parts are the two parts that are outside the nebual. Wonderful object to really look at and in the right conditions to practice on drawing out details. I'll be back on this one.





Prior to going in on the 18th of March, I observed M40 in Ursa Major. I started at Megrez and using the finder I went to 70 UMa. I then moved SE from 70 Uma until M40 came into view. This is not a spectular item and probably the most disappointing to me in the whole Messier list that I've seen. M40 at 92x appears as a widely spaced pair of ninth or tenth magnitude white stars. The two stars appear to be very close to the same magnitude.

MARCH 20th, 2009

The night of March 20th came out with a good clear night with no clouds! Been awhile since I've had that. Earlier I went to my son's play and so got a latter start. In the end, it was a much better thing. I got set up and the scope was cool around 11:30p.m. and I went and looked at Saturn, then M64 and M65. After this I went to Denebola and then to 6 Com. From 6 Com I went two stars two the left of it (behind it) and then continued left until I saw two stars that were vertical and to the left was M100. At 92x M100 was very faint, though a bright core is visible. It is a spiral galaxy that is face on and averted vision brings out good details in the arms at 133x. At 92x the galaxy is to the left of a Y asterism (left of center). At 133x the bright core comes out and I can see the ghostly shape of an arm with some hint of variance in it. The arm is coming out of center to the west, heading NW (left) and the arm wraps around the core towards the north (or up). The arm does not bend up and back to east-southeast. It is faint but I can see it and another one that comes out and bends to the west.





After M100 I went to M85. I went to Com 11 and started working towards Com 24. About a third of the way there I reached M85. It has a bright central core with a halo around it at 92x. No real structure is visible at 92x. The edge is diffused and NGC 4394 is visible as a much smaller galaxy to the left of M85. At 133x M85 shows a larger conre with more halo visible around it. NGC 4934 is a spiral galaxy that at 133x shows a small bright core with a minor halo. No arms were visible. M85 is a lenticular galaxy. I could not see a central bar running through the axis of M85 as some have.


M88 was the next item that I came to. I put Com 6 and Com 11 on the right edge of my finder and in the bottom left corner was a lone bright star SAQ100127. M88 is up and to the right in the EP and easy to see in the sixty eight degree 13mm Stratus. I viewed M88 at 92x and 133x. M88 is oval shaped at the core with an oval halo around it running east to west. Some detail is visible with parience and with time. At 133x a dark band is present about the bright core almost slicing into it. M88 is a spiral galaxy at a 30 degree angle. For me it is rather face on, but is probably more edge on. This is a galaxy that I would really like to spend more time just observing to see what details in the arms and in the galaxy itself I can make out.

The next object I viewed was M87. I went to Com 6 and went to star HIP60150 and then jumped down to M84/86. From M84/86 I went diagonally adn I came to the elliptical galaxy M87. M87 is a relatively bright and large and it shows a bright core with diffusion around it. There actually seems to be three layers of halo present, a bright one around the core, with a less bright halo next to that and then a slightly darker third halo next to that one. All three halo's diffuse into the next one with the last one having a defined edge. Averted vision brings no more details from the core or from the area around the core. No stars are visible in my XT8. I did write at the end of this observation if anyone in millions of years will be looking back at the Milky Way wondering if someone was looking at them at the time the light left?


M59 and M60

I started by using the Telrad to get to Vindemiatrix and went NE and reached them easily after seeing NGC 4362. I found two bright stars in the northern half of the finder which formed an east-west line that pointed to M59 and M60. Both are elliptical galaxies. M59 is the upper one and has a bright core with a halo that is diffused around it. M60 is similar to M59 as it has a bright core but M60 does not appear as birght as M59. I passed on both items at a higher magnification (giving me an excuse to come back) and only used 92x the 13mm Stratus on these two. As a result I know I am leaving details but it was 3:00a.m. and I had one more item before I needed to come in due to a commitment with the wife later in the morning on Saturday.



M58 is a barred spiral galaxy that is face on. From M59 and M60 I came down to the left and M59 was right there. M58 has a very strong inner core and it is visible with mottling with averted vision. There is diffusion around the core with a halo that moves out and becomes fainter. Hints of the arms are present but I would need slightly more magnificaiton than the 92x from the 13mm Stratus provides. I will come back and sketch when I have more time and I really want to bring out the sprial arms on this one.

March 15/16 and March 20th

March 15th and March 16th, 2009 Observation

On the evening of March 15th and lasting to the early morning of March 16th I was able to locate, view and sketch M78, M42, Sirius and Sirius B the Pup, M108, M97, M106, M99.

I began by going to Canis Major and looking at Sirius. It was rather a fancy after studying about the Pup to see if using my 8 inch reflector to see if I could see the Pup. Sirius showed up very well at 92x in my 13mm Stratus. Conditions were really good and I had no extra light pollution this night. Seeing was 9/10 and transparency was 4.5/5. Skies were calm and these were some of the best conditions I've had in the backyard at my house. At 184x I caught a glimpse of the Pup and decided to take it up to 240x and then 266x with a barlow and at both I was able to pull the Pup. The Pup faded in and out and then held for around a minute or two. I confirmed using the charts I had. The Pup is a small white star that was father out from Sirius than I thought it would be, about three rings out from Sirius. A great sky and great conditions helped me to capture the Pup.

Next I viewed M42 as a farewell since it is fading into the west so quickly and weather here in is not looking good from now to the end of the month. Next I went decided to see M78 and though I've seen it before, I confirmed how I find M78. I went to Alnitak and then up to HIP26736 and then up to HIP26893. I noticed the asterism of arrow pointing left. From that star I went up diagonally from HIP 26736 to M78. The two tenth magnitude stars are evident as is the fan like wisp behind the stars (first time I have seen that). I really enjoyed observing this object tonight.

Since it was right before 10:00p.m. and conditions were really good I decided to try some objects that I've had a hard time finding. I used the Telrad to go to Merak and went up to a bright star which is down from Merak passing a lesser star on the way. Next I went up further (down) and then to the left following a chain of stars going NW to SE. At the end of the fifth star in the chain, just above and to the right is M108. The core is faint and small at 92x and I saw the core before I saw any other part of the galaxy. Using averted vision at the core the galaxy showed herself. I eventually got to where I could discern the galaxy without aveted vision but the details came with averted vision. M108 is edge on, faint and diffused, though the edges are well defined. The core is brighter then the rest of the galaxy and no stars are visible in the dust lanes.

My next object was M97. I started from M108 and went NE to a three star L that is on its side. Up from the conern star of the L is M97. M97 was much bigger than any other planetary nebula I have seen. I was able to view it tonight visually first, though when I used my UltraBand NB filter I could see much more in terms of size and brightness. With the 13mm Stratus at 92x no details were evident, just a grayish circle or blob. I tried a 9mm with a 2x barlow but it just didn't capture the PN at 266x. So I went down to 133x and finished the observation and the sketch. The nebula is a circle in shape (disk shape I believe it is called) and the edge is sharply defined. No color other than gray is visiable at 133x. On the north edge of the PN there is a star visible but not the central star which is not visible. My mind wants to say I could detect the eye shapes of the owl's face but my mind knows better. . .

I next tried M109 but failed to located it though according to charts I was in the right area. During this time a neighbor turned on a back porch light and I think that impacted me. Luckily they turned it off after around twenty minutes when their dog was done with its business. After failing at M109 I went back to Phecda and jumped to 5 CV and then to 3CV. My object now was M106. From 3 CV I jumpted to to HIP60125 and then to a brighter star. From the brighter star I worked my way up north and found M106. The galaxy is a spiral that is face on. There are bands visible while the edges of the galaxy are somewhat diffused. The core is very bright, much brighter than the rest of the galaxy and the core is very compact. No stars are visible in the lanes.

My last object was M99. I went to Denebola and then over to CB 6. From CB 6 I went over to HIP59941 and then down to HIP60089 ( the three stars form an inverted L. M99 is next to HIP60089 and I could see it visually. Averted vision though really hlep to make out the galaxy and its shape and details. M99 is a face on spiral, with diffused edges. The core is just slightly brighter than the rest of the galaxy, lanes are visible and there are no stars visible in the lanes. My sixteen year old daughter now came out around 12:40a.m. and reminded me I had to go to work the next day. Oh well, I wish I could have not gone in and stayed out.

Updated Images

NGC 2440 (top) 1535 (bottom)

My back has been out and so no observing. I missed a great night last Friday but the rest of nights have been too cloudy to go out. I also had a terrible cold so that didn't help. I think I'm on the recovery now.

Anyway, I did two digital images based on my previous observation. The top one is of NGC 2440 and the bottom one is of NGC 1535. I'm improving on the digital use of Gimp but I still have a ways to go. Stars are octagonal and I've figured out how to correct that. Enjoy and clear skies.

February 19th and 20th 2009

February 20-21, 2009

It was a beautiful night with seeing at an 8/10 and transparency at a 4/5. My goals tonight are to bag a few more planetary nebulas. I began by revisiting NGC 1535 again to just observe with no sketching or writing of notes. I could make out a blue at 266x tonight and at higher. A beautiful object and one of my favorite items (for now). I was going to go to NCG 1232 but it was behind a tree and would next go behind the foothill behind me.

NGC 2467 EMISSION NEBULA and OPEN CLUSTER in PUPPIS

I have to admit that this was one of those happy mistakes that can occur while observing. I was going after the planetary nebula NGC 2453 and when I put the narrowband filter on to assist, NGC 2467 just stuck out really large and grabbed my attention. Since I was there, and this object was just in my eye piece saying here I am, I modified and went to NGC 2467. I also had taken time to visit M93 which I hadn’t observed in over a month and figured I should say good-bye before spring arrives.

Anyway from M93 I went back to Asmidiske and from there I could see a three star asterism of an arrowhead pointing east and from the bottom star I just moved the eyepiece over to NGC 2467. The nebula disappears on me if I removed the filter. With the filter the nebula is clearly evident. There are three major stars that make a triangle pointing southwest. Diagonally from the star that makes the point, (HIP38430 I believe), is the nebula. Next to the nebula is a bright star that seems to be lighting up this object. The more I kept my viewing eye dark adapted fully, the more detail I saw. This object really reinforced to me the need to keep my eye patch over my left eye (observing/dominant eye) while using the right to write notes and sketch.

The nebula is mainly gray with some whiteness to the southwest. The nebula spreads out more to the south and southwest and is larger in those areas.
The star that makes the point on the triangle seems to have some nebulosity around it. Averted vision brings out more of a white color to the nebula and more of the overall size and details.

The nebula and the cluster here are both bright and the cluster contains about 30 stars. One site I found on the net says that NGC 2467 is vaguely reminiscent of the Rosette Nebula. There is active star birth occurring and a variety of stars at different stages of development. The star I stated in my observation, as seeming to light up the nebula is not. In reality ultraviolet radiation from nearby stars is removing material by a process called photo-evaporation and is thus revealing the underlying dense clouds that likely harbor forming stars. This would be in the left side of the eyepiece in my dob.

I really felt the nebula flowed more to the right then I have in my sketch and I will have to return if I get a clear sky in the next week or two to see what I missed here. Wonderful object to observe and I really enjoyed it.

Here is the rough sketch of NGC 2467:



This is the site from which I took my info on NGC 2467 and it has some good information and a finder chart (digital):

NGC 2467




NGC 2440 PLANETARY NEBULA PUPPIS

This was relatively easy to find. I went to Sirius to M47 to M46 . From M46 I went diagonally to HIP36981 which is the bright star that is diagonally down from both M47 and M46 and is relatively bright. Using only my Sky Pocket Atlas I found the shorten triangle below HIP36981 and went to the right corner star on that shorten/flatten triangle. For here I saw the inverted triangle that is underneath the flatten triangle and from the point star at the bottom, went to two stars that are vertically down. Using the 13mm Stratus I put both of the stars that are vertical in the FOV and to the right was that typical grayish blob, a planetary nebula.

At 92x NGC 2440 is a whitish ball with some tease of blue. You know your there by the two stars that may be a double that are up and to the right and are relatively bright.
NGC 2440 really took magnification well this night and I took it up to 266x and 400x and was able to really get a very solid view of this planetary nebula. It appeared at me while just observing it that I could detect two brighter lobes, one on each side so I drew them in my sketch. This planetary nebula really seemed to show her details to me and I really enjoyed the time I took observing, taking notes and sketching and finally observing again.



Hubble Site on NGC 2440


SKETCHING STOPS AT M-65, M-66, M-95, M-105, M-96

My first list had exhausted itself and I decided I wanted a change. So off to see some galaxies! I had observed these about a month ago as I came down from Ursa Major and had a fantastic night and conditions. That night, I saw these items around 3:00a.m. to 4:00a.m, and I did not sketch them and now I regret that decision. Their brightness and the details they offered were far better than the conditions at the time I was there (after 12:00a.m.). Conditions had degraded from 8/10 for seeing to 6/10 seeing and from 4/5 transparency to 2/4.
So I took the time to stop and sketch these items and hope that down the road in the next couple of months, I can find a night of even better conditions and re-sketch these items. It is a good activity I think thought to see objects at different times in different conditions with more or less details.

M84 and M85 in VIRGO

Easy to find. I went to Denebola and then jumped to CB 6. I then went to the star that is next to CB 6 and then down 2 stars. From the bottom star I went diagonally to M84 and M86. I looked at both with 92x in the 13mm Stratus and though 92x showed more brightness near the center of each galaxy, I preferred these two this night in the 21mm Stratus at 53x.

No details were present and one. M84 seems to have a brighter core or central region than M86. M84 also appears to be more rounded perhaps face on is the right term while M86 appears to be more elongated or edge on.

By the time I got done sketching and observing it was 2:00a.m. and I after looking around this wonderful area, and seeing several more galaxies, I called it a night. I wanted to come back the next night but the clouds of winter have come back so maybe in a week or so. Clear skies.

Here is my sketch of M84 and M86:



M84 Info
M86 Info

FYI, all observations are recorded on the AAAA Observation Logs and the notes in the sketches are other observations and goals I have for the sketch. I prefer the actually sketch of NGC 2467 as it shows far more of the nebula which to me is larger. All inversion was done at the scanner.

February 15th 2009 Ngc 1553 & 2438 Planetary Nebula

My goal in tonight’s observation is to view the planetary nebulas on my list, as this would have to be a quick session. Clouds have passed and transparency is at a 3 with seeing at a 7. Wind was slightly up and then fading off as the evening set in. Please observe that the notes on my sketches are just notes. I make a formal written observation on a completely different form.

NGC 1535 PLANETARY NEBULA IN ERIDANUS
I began tonight by knowing I wanted to bag NGC 1535 in Eridanus. I use the telrad and went to Zaurak and hopped over to HIP19011. From there I hopped over 2 stars to the left and then up and to the right diagonally to HIP19608. Right above HIP19608 is a triangle of stars that is facing east-southeast. I went to the upper right corner star and put just started moving off to the NW. NGC 1535 is quite evident as a small grayish object with two stars that are close together next to it, and two a little farther apart to the south.

I used 53x to get me to NGC 1535 and then brought 92x when I got there. I observed the object for over twenty-five minutes making notes and admiring it. At 92x the nebula is oval/disk shaped (roundish) and the edge is diffused. I can see the typical gray/white but have caught hints of blue while observing at 92x. At 184x NGC 1535 holds magnification quite well and I actually tried 266x. Seeing conditions wouldn’t allow that tonight and the planetary became too blurry. At 184x I began to see more hints of blue and a brighter area near the center with a diffusion of light, almost like a halo around the brighter area.

NGC 1535 is around 1500 light years from us with an apparent magnitude between 9.3 and 10. It is very similar to the Eskimo Nebula and if your in the area, no. Before Eridanus fades into the spring sky make the time to go and view this object. If you’re into astrophotography take the time to make an image of this wonderful coin. I did not see a central star in my observation and it can be hard to see based on what I found on the web.

Here is my unrefined sketch of NGC1535 (I caught my error after posting and have corrected it from NGC1534 to its correct ID).



This link gives some quick info I included and a beautiful picture in color:

NGC 1553


NGC 2438 PLANETARY NEBULA IN PUPPIS

After viewing NGC 1535 I decided to go back to M46 to try NGC 2438. I sent back using the 13mm Stratus at 92x and later used the 2x Barlow to go to 184x. Conditions remain the same as with NGC 1535, transparency is at a 3 and seeing is at a 7. The wind had died off by now.
Visually I could not see NGC 2438 through the eyepiece. So I took out the 13mm Strat and put my NB filter in. As soon as I looked through the eyepiece there was no doubt about seeing NGC 2438. She stuck out like a sore thumb. I took the filter off after viewing for about 10 minutes and I could now detect the planetary visually (or perhaps since I knew where to look my mind just made the connection) or so I believe. Putting the filter back in I viewed it as a grayish blob at 92x . Also, at 92x I can see a bright core or central star. The nebula stands out in the filter and is diffused across the diameter. Averted vision brings out more of the nebula itself.

At 184x the planetary nebula is even more diffused and is somewhat diffused, brighter on the west to southwest side. Also, what I thought was the central star is not, it is a member of the background cluster of M46 on its southern central side. There is no doubt that NGC 2438 is a foreground object in front of M46. Please see the link below this entry for why the planetary nebula is a foreground object.

This ended my observation on the 19th as I needed to go to work the next day and it was rather late. Please be aware that on the 15th I had observed and sketched M 46 and M 47 with other objects. I had seen both M 46 and M 47 but had not done a detailed enough observation or sketch.

My sketch of NGC 2438; non-inverted:



Info on NGC 2438. First image kinda of reminds me of the Ring Nebula.

NGC 2438 Link 1

M 46 and NGC 2438

Observations on Jan. 18th, 29th, 30th, Feb. 1st, 2nd and 3rd

January 18th, 2009

NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster
Seeing 7/10
Transparency 2/5
Time: 10:09p.m.
XT 8 and 21mm Stratus at 52x

I did not have a lot of time tonight to observe, and wanted to try to find and sketch this specific item. The humidity is high tonight here and my finder was not showing this cluster. Usually, it is quite easy to find in the 9x50 RA finder. The cluster is easy to find if you have a telrad. Use the telrad and go to Zeta Geminide. From there hop to a star diagonally down from Zeta Geminide and NGC 2264 is quite evident. I used my 21mm Stratus EP to find this at 52x and it was not only easily seen, but fit in the EP nicely. There is a very bright bluish star at the base with the rest of the bright stars making the outline/chain of the Christmas Tree shape. The cluser is medium rich, as I view about 50 or more stars in the cluster. No empty areas are present that suggest a nebula here. I will insert my sketch after I scan my sketches in.

January 29th, 2009

NGC 2392 Eskimo Planetary Nebula
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8 21mm Stratus at 52x, 9mm Expanse with 2x Shorty Barlow at 266x
Time: 8:30p.m.

Good skies tonight so I decided to go hunting, find some old familar sites and some new ones. Prior to coming out I had prepared a good list with charts from Starry Night Pro. I began in Gemni and started by using the telrad to get to Wasat. From Wasat I went east to one bright star in the finder and then to a bright star that is part of an asterism forming a U in the eyepiece (the U is more opened than the U I am typing). In the 21mm Stratus at 52x I saw NGC 2392, the Eskimo Nebula to the southeast with a neighboring star next to it. The planetary nebula really stuck out tonight and was easy to see even at low power.

After centering it, I knew I could bring magnification on this object so I brought out the 9mm Expanse and the 2x Shorty Barlow for 266x magnification. At 266x I canot only make out the nebululosity of the PN, but also the central star. The Eskimo was really bright tonight and a wonderful object to start with. The nebula is a rounded shape, and it is easy to see almost a sharp section and a diffused section. My UHC filter made the nebula stick out, but since it was near zenith it seems I had a better view without it. The middle and upper right appeared to have more glow tonight creating a slight bulge to the circle. This old friend was a wonderful thing to start the night off with.

NGC 2362 Tau Cluster or Mexican Jumping Bean
Seeing 8/10
Transparency 4/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus at 92x
Time: 10:56p.m.

Next I went to Canis Major which is the main object of the observations tonight. I telrad over to Sirius and for fun, I tried to see the pup. Of course, no good but it is worth the effort. From Sirius I jumped and went down to look at M41. A wonderful and beutiful cluster. Then from M41 I went down past the inversted triangle to Sigma and then down to O2 and then to Delta. From Delta I jumped to the star directly across and then over to NGC 2362. This was the one object I wanted to see tonight. Stephen O'Meara in his book The Caldwell Objects calls this the "Northern Jewel Box." What a marvellous open cluster this is indeed with Tau shinning 50,000 times brighter than our sun. There is a wide variety of brightness between the various stars, and I would say this is a strong medium cluster with almost 90 stars present of a variety of magnitudes. There are several chains of stars present, making a variety of shapes and reaching out from the central point of this cluster. I can see and I sketched a glow of unresolved stars that are present.
To me the cluster kinda of reminded me of looking down on a F-16, but as I review my sketches I don't see that now. This is a cluster that should have been included in Turn Left at Orion or other newbie books. I would love to look at Tau with a 8mm or 5mm Stratus. I gazed, observed and sketched here for over an hour.

NGC 2360 Open Cluster
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus at 92x
Time: 11:40p.m.

I next went back up to Sirius and jumped over Iota and then Gamma and then over to a star (27 SPA) opposite of Gamma to view NGC 2360 which is next to 27 SPA. This is a rich cluster with over 100 stars visible and a strong glow througout the cluster of unresolved stars. To the east of the cluster is an open area with very few stars that might harbor a dark nebula. I'm not experienced enough yet to know on that though. There are definite chains of stars visible and this cluster really reminds me of a mosquito in flight. There are about 20 brighter stars with many, many more medium to faint stars that are sticking out. Beautiful cluster. Please note I did not sketch it this night but on January 30th I returned to it. A fun cluster to observe.

January 30th, 2009
NGC 2359 Bright Nebula Thor's Hammer or The Duck
NGC 2207 Galaxy
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus 92x
Time: 12:30a.m. to 1:20a.m.

I have this down to observe and was able to star hop up up to its location. I put in my UHC filter but could not locate this object. I was either in the wrong area or just could not bring it out tonight.
I used the Small Wonders guide to try to find this galaxy but failed to bag it.

M108, M109 Galaxies
M97 Planetary Nebual (Owl Nebula)
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency 4/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus
Time: 12:30a.m. - 1:20a.m.

I was able to use my star charts to confirm that I was in the right area for these items, but I cannot get them to show. The Big Dipper is to the east where the greatest light pollution is so I have to assume that is impacting m seeing. By this time I was starting to get frustrated and I almost called it an evening but decided to try for some other Messier items to mark off toward my Astronomical League recognition.

M63 The Sunflower Galaxy
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 7/10
XT 8 13mm Stratus 92x
Time: 1:31a.m.

I went to Cor Caroli and then to UM 20. I then went to three stars that went up from left (bottom) to right (top) which are 23 CVN, 20 CVN and 19 CVN. The corner star on the right, 19 CVN the one highest up is where I went and then jumped diagonally up to that star which is HIP 54470. From HIP 64470 I worked my way back towards 19 CVN. As I came back I noticed two stars that made a L and next to the corner L is M63. M63 is a faint galaxy. The galaxy is face-on and from the structure I see it is a spiral. The edge of the galaxy is diffused and I don't see any dark or brighter lanes visible. No stars are visible in the galaxy nor would I expect it in an orange/yellow border in my XT 8. The more I look straight on and then with averted vision the more I begin to discern the core which is brighter than the other parts and is elongated, but brighter than the other diffused parts.

M51 Galaxy, The Whirlpool Galaxy, NGC 5195 a Galaxy
Seeing: 8/10
Trasparency: 4/5
XT 8; 13 mm Stratus 92x
1:58a.m.

I have tried finding this in the past and have failed, but tonight it was really easy. I started at Alkaid and jumped to CVN 24. Below CVN 24 is a asterism of 3 stars that form a triangle on its side. Diagnonally from the right corner star, HIP 66004 is M51, and its companion galaxy, NGC 5195. In the eyepiece using the 13mm Stratus I see two faint cores in both galaxies. M51 is face-on and I am able to see details of structure, with a hint of two arms. The edges are diffused with areas of sharpness defined. The core in M51 is definetly brighter than the rest of the galaxy. I could not see stars in the galaxy this night but my eyes are starting to tire.

NGC 5195 is face-on also but I cannot see as much detail. No hints of arms on this one and it actually looks a little more elognated to me than M51. The core is strong and evident but the galaxy difuses out from there, though the core is also compact. No stars visible in this galaxy.

M94 Croc Eye Galaxy
Seeing: 8/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus 92x
Time: 2:32a.m.

I used the telrad to go to Cor Caroli and in the finder is a star that is about halfway to Chara which is 10 CVn. At 10 CVn go straight up and I ran right into M94. This baby is face-on and M94 is VERY bright! The core is is extremely bright, much brighter than the rest of the galaxy and is very compact, yet large, looking like the eyeball of a croc. I can detect a hint of dust lanes but no stars are visible. One sprial arm was very evident. The best view is straight on but averted vision did show the diameter of the galaxy. This is a wonderful galaxy, and I will never forget seeing M31 for the first time, but this one is there with it. I think next time I view this one I am going to use more magnification. So far, this is my favorite observation in terms of a galaxy.

M65 and M66, a pair of Galaxies; Leo Triplet
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 3/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus at 92x
Time: 3:00a.m.

Leo was calling so I used the telrad to get to Chertan, Chort and then down to 73 Leo. From 73 Leo in the 13mm Stratus I simply went to the right in my eyepiece and there they both were! M65 is the closest to 73 Leo. M65 has a faint core that is slightly detected but I believe this one is more only slightly face-on. It is suggested that M65 may have had a tidal disruption.
M66 has a bright and dense core that is evident. The galaxy is face on, but elongated out like M65 north to west. The edge is diffused on M66 with not stars present. Conditions worsened during the observation so I will return here again.

M95 Galaxy
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency 3/5
XT 8 13mm Stratus at 92x
Time: 3:30 a.m.

Relatively easy to find. Start at 73 Leo and go west and slightly down to 2 stars together (Sky Pocket Atlas pg. 34). To the south-west you'll see another star by itself, so go there. Now go west to a star and I saw M96 and then M95. I went north and M105 and NGC 3384 were vibible.
M95 does look like a Tie Fighter in a way to me, as it has dark lanes coming off the center of the core to the outer portions. The galaxy diffuses as you move out. The core is compact and bright, and there are hints of structure present. Due to time I did a rough sketch on the observation but need to return and sketch this object.

M96 and M105 and NGC 3384
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 3/5
XT 8 and 13mm Stratus 92x and 9mm Expanse & 2x Barlow at 266x
3:55a.m.

I described on my entry on M95 how I jumped from Cherton to 73 Leo to two stars to the west of 73 Leo to southwest to a single star. From that single star I went west and ran into M95 and M96. M96 is a bright, slightly tilted face-on galaxy and the core is also bright and extended with a stellar nucleus.

M105 is an elliptical galaxy and has a wonderful oval shape to it. It seems or appears nearly perfect in its shape. It lies north of M96 and appears to be face-on. No structure is visible on M105 and the edges are diffused. The core is brighter than the rest of the galaxy but nearly as big. The fuzzy haze dominates the shape here. No stars are visible. Like M95 no sketch is made of M96 or M105 except for a rough one on the observation sheet. I must return to do a formal sketch, and decide whether to include M95 and M96 in one sketch, or M96, M105 and NGC 3384 or M105 and NGC 3384 in one sketch. Hmmm . . . .

It was super late, almost an all nighter and I was tired but thrilled. After the disappointment of not finding several obects in a row, the night ended up being a wonderful experience. It was one of those nights that I wished the sun had stayed down for about 6 more hours . . .

January 30th, 2009

A very cool evening so I decided to attack some NGC objects I've wanted to bag. I haven't used my Sky Atlas 2000 because it is not lamanted and I fear the frost getting on it. So I've been using charts from Starry Night Pro and those have been really good to work with. I printed off charts to the items I wanted to find and then attacked them.

NGC 2360 and IC 2163
Seeing: 7/10
Tranparency 4
XT 8; 13mm Stratus; 2x Shorty Barlow
10:00p.m.

Tonight I started by using the telrad to get to Mirzam. Below Mirzam is a right triangle and from that right triangle I went to the star in the point and then over to the top star on the narrow side. I then went to the corner star, HP30011. I noticed a double and another double on the chart and sure enough, theree was NGC 2207 and IC 2163. Both are very, very faint and NGC 2207 shows an apparant magnitude of 11.8. I can see a small core in NGC 2207 with some hint of difused nebulosity around it. No arms are evident, though the galaxy appears face on. The core is compact and faint as stated above I would really like to see these objects under a true dark sky and see what details I could coax out. It is cool to know that I found them. For the details above I used my 13mm Stratus with the 2x Shorty Barlow for 184x magnification.

NGC 2360 Open Cluster
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8; 13mm Stratus 92x
11:00p.m.

I returned to sketch this open cluster tonight.

NGC 2359 Thor's Hammer; The Duck; Bright Nebula
Seeing 7/10
Transparency 4/5
XT 8; Stratus 13mm @92x; 21mm Stratus @53x; UltraBlock NB Filter
11:35p.m

I am determiend to see this but even though I jumped to the right spot three times and used my Ultrablock NB filter and could not find it. The first time I thought with averted vision I could make out the nebula but I wasn't sure. Nothing tonight though I was in the right space. Perhaps next time? By the time I had tried to bag this nebula it was too late and time to go to bed.

February 1st and 2nd, 2009

NGC 1931 Open Cluster with 4 stars and Nebulosity
Seeing 7/10
Transparency 4/5
XT 8, 21mm Stratus 53x; 13mm Stratus 92x;
8:23p.m.

On February 1st I went to Auriga and looked at M37 and M38. I began by using the telrad to go to Elnath and from there went to M36 which was clearly visible. As I mentioned, I visited M37 and M38 and then went back to M36. From M36 I jumped over to Psi Aur. From Psi Aur I went down to two bright doubles below it (saw a triangle next to it to confirm) and then I jmped 2 stars to HIP 25787 to 2 little star to the right (they are faint). I went diagnonally then I saw a four star box with nebulosity around one star. With the 21mm Stratus it was faint so I went to the 13mm Stratus and put in the Ultraband NB filter and bang, the nebulosity came right out. At first it seemed to only be around the star, but then with the filter the nebulosity came right out. Had a good fifty minutes sketching after observing for twenty minutes. A fun object to bag.

NGC 2261 Hubble Variable Nebula
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8; 13mm Stratus 92x; Ultraband NB Filter
9:47p.m.

A nice jump for a nice looking object. I went to 15 Mon (the bright star in the Christmas Tree Cluster) and go past HIP 31955 on the left in a refractor, pass the two stars together one being HIP31955. Now jump pass TYC750-1749-1 to HIP 31996. With dark adapted eyes find 2 set of 2 stars that form a box, next to along three stars spread out to form 3 stars tight together. From the bottom of the corner across toa bright star and diagnonally and before the next you have it. it is critical to have dark adapted eyes on this wonderful object. It would be better without the First Quarter Moon rising. There is a pin point of light at the top like a star and the nebula flows back from it. The edge is diffused and only gray is visible. My filter did not make any difference. I did two different sketches at low and high powers.

NGC 2244 Open Cluster and NGC 2237 Rosette Nebula
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 4/5
XT 8; 21mm Stratus 53x;
10:00p.m.

Very easy to find. Since I was seeing NGC 2264 the Christmas Tree Open Cluster and NGC 2261 the Hubble Variable Nebula I just came down to 13 Mon then down to CR 97, which is a triangle of three stars that point right at NGC 2244. I tried and failed to see NGC 2237, the Rosette Nebula with my Ultra NB Filter. I'm sure I failed to see the Rosette because of the moon being out tonight. NGC 2244 is a very bright cluster easily seen in the 9x50 RA finder or even in my binculars. The center of the cluster has three main branches of two stars with many light diagnonals around them. In the eyepiece this cluster really looked like a scorpian to me for some reason. Fun cluster to sketch and overall I was content with the sketch; not totally happy but I could mark improvements on them.

NGC 1980; B33 The Horsehead; NGC 2024 the Flame Nebula
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency 2/5
XT 8: 13mm Stratus 92x; Ultrabrand NB Filter
11:00p.m. - 11:30p.m.

I was able to view NGC 1980 but will wait for a formal observation and sketch when there is no moon. B33 and NGC 2024 where not viewable at all of course. I need much darker skies.

February 3rd, 2009

NGC 2359 Thor's Helmet: The Duck
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 2/5
XT 8; 21mm Stratus 53x
12:00a.m.

I nailed the location again, and again thought I saw a slight glimpse, but nothing resolved. Too much moonlight again. I'll wait for a nice clear sky and no moon in the sky.

NGC 2022: Planetary Nebula
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 2/5
XT 8; 13mm Stratus @92x; 9mm Expanse at 133x, 266x with 2x Shorty Barlow
12:42a.m.

Very faint planetary nebula that requires dark adapted eyes to see and knowing what a PN looks like. To get there I went to Meissa in Orion and then hopped to Ori 2. From Ori 2 I looked for a triangle, then an asterism of a L. Look now for another upside down triangle and go dianonally to the bright star. Now up one star and then right two stars. She is right underneath that location.
It takes averted vision to see this object in my 13mm Stratus EP. Once I got this object down, it came in actually pretty large. At 133x the shape came in more and there is no doubt this is a planetary nebula. 133x brings out more of the shape and more of its brightness. At 266x the bluriness came in due to conditions and as Orion was beginning to fade into the west. The PN is not round but is more like a football in shape. Central star is not viewable.

NGC 1700 Galaxy FAILED
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 2/5
XT 8; 13m Stratus 92x
8:00p.m.

I got into the correct position and though I could get a hint of it but just too much moonlight from the waxing gibbious moon.

NGC 1535 Planetary Nebula FAILED
Seeing 7/10
Transparency: 2/5
XT 8; 13mm Stratus 92x
8:25p.m.

I really messed up on this object. I was there perfectly according to the star chart but could not find this object. It probably didn't help that I was rushing and looking for a globular cluster and not a planetary nebula. I probably saw it but overlooked it. I'll try again on the next good clear night.

NGC 1232 Galaxy FAILED
Seeing 7/10
Transparency: 2/5
XT 8; 13mm Stratus 92x
8:48p.m.

I waited too long to get to this object tonight. I should have gone here first. By the time I got here it was way too close to my horizon. I was in the right location but no galaxy. Too much light from the waxing gibbious moon I believe since this is a faint galaxy.

IC 418 Planetary Nebula
Seeing 6/10
Transparency 2/5
XT 8; 21mm Stratus at 53x; 13mm Stratus @ 92x and 2x Shorty Barlow @ 194x
9:12p.m.

I started by using the telrad to get to Rigel and jumpt down to k Lep. From k Lep I went to Labbda Lep and then I jumped to HIP25426. In the eyepiece I noticed three stars forming a mountain or inverted triangle. From the bottom right corner star I went diagnonally to the next star which is really IC418. The gibbious moon is impacting my view. I can see the cntral star with averted vision in this PN, and it remains until I take my eye off IC 418. IC 418 is ring shaped around the central star. I see a hint of blue with this PN, but mostly it is gray. The edge is diffused fading away as you move from the central star. The central star is a bright white. Disrubution of light is regular at times and not at others, probably due to the conditions. The higher the moon rises, the less of this I see. No other stars are present in the nebula. A nice PN to view.

I've decided to really go after PN's since I really think they are rather cool and might be an area to focus on not only for my observations, but in studying as well. I wonder if that happens as one gets into this hobby. I'll still complete the lists I am going for, but I think it is natural to find something that excites one and to pursue observing and learning about them. I'm sure that changes over time.

I really like the sketch I did on this item. Not perfect but I feel I am starting to capture some of my goals like variable stars, correct placement of stars and objects, and keeping my spacing accurate due to correct placement.

I'll be spending my evenings this week getting ready for next weekend's clear skies, getting specific maps printed off and colliminating my scope, and spending time with other interests, work etc.

Clear Skies to each of you,

Jay