Observing November 30th, 2024

 Yesterday was what I was anticipating!!!! It was 3 days after a storm had swept through and after doing volunteering work that afternoon, I came home and headed out to my favorite dark sky spot out on Forest Road 006, Top of the World. I had the Ascent loaded and ready so all I had to do was change and head out. 

The drive out was wonderful as the afternoon shadows increased. I got out there and was alone, typical for this time of the year. The temperature was already 28 degrees and I knew I was in for a cold evening. I had planned to observe from 6:30 pm to around 10:00 pm and load up and drive home. After setting up and sitting back and enjoying that wonderful transition from day to dusk, then twilight and finally night, I knew it was going to be great. Several high altitude jets had flown over leaving hardly any contrails. The air was smooth and no wind!  I ended up this evening observing from 6:30 pm to 12:00 am when I loaded up and drove home. 

This night was dedicated to Abell Planetary Nebula so here we go. I did observe several Messier's but won't include those sketches yet as I need to upload them. All observations were done at FR 006 Top of the World on Forest Land south of Vernon, Utah. The telescope is my 17.5" truss dob. My Paracorr II was in the finder on all observations. Finder eyepiece was the 22mm T4 Nagler. 

1. Abell 77 PK 97 + 3.1; Planetary Nebula in Cepheus.  8:15 pm; 22mm T4 Nagler, 10mm & 7mm Pentax XW; OIII filter. Hint of this PN in the 22mm Nagler. Easy to see in the 10mm and 7mm Pentax with the OIII filter. Small, faint blob and round in shape.  

2. Abell 75 NGC 7076 PN in Cepheus. Faint planetary nebula and elongated moderately. It is large and visible and barely visible without the filter. Two stars imposed on the PN and with the 7mm Pentax the central star I believe is visible. 

3. Abell 4 or PK 144-15.1, PN in Perseus. 9:00 pm. This is a hard to view PN without a filter. Took averted vision with the filter. The UHC filter was better than the OIII on this PN. Galaxy PGC 2201233 was visible I believe with averted vision, as it came and went. 

4. Abell 2 PK 122-4.1 PN in Cassiopeia. 9:30 pm. In the 22mm Nagler was easy to see unfiltered as a large PN. Not quite round but close. OIII filter gave some hints of details. 

5. Abell 81 IC 1454 in Cepheus. Visible unfiltered next to 2 stars in 7mm Pentax. Round with some diffusion on the outer portions. Small hole inside with UHC filter is visible. OIII provides more contrast but no inner hole. Nice  and fun PN. 

6. Abell 82 PK 114-4.1. PN in Cassopeia. I used the 26mm Nagler on this one and observed using the 26mm Nagler, the 22mm Nagler and the 14mm Pentax. In the wide field view the PN appears to me as nebulosity around the stars.  In the 14mm with the OIII filter a large planetary is easily seen with a diffused outer portion. 

7. Abell 83 PK 113-6.1; PN in Cassipeia. Found the field in  the 22mm and in the 14mm Pentax with OIII filter this PN comes out and is aided by using averted vision. 10mm Pentax XW and OIII filter made it just a little bit easier to observe. Averted vision is a help with this object. It is always there, just teasing it seems. 

8. Abell 84 PK 112-10.1 PN in Cassoipeia.  14mm Pentax XW and OIII filter shows a large elongated planetary nebula. It is elongated to me E-W with the eastern edge having a little bit more contrast and is brighter. Middle portion is bright also.  It is irregular and I enjoyed sketching this one A LOT ! Fun!!!!

I'll post up the galaxies I observed also in my next post. The Abell Planetary Nebula's are proving to be a nice and a fun challenge. Some have some great views, others are just those faint smudges but there are there. I love observing Planetary Nebula and what they represent; stars in or just larger than the mass of our own Sun that are at the end of their lives. It makes me wonder if they had worlds with civilizations on them and what happen to them as their star expanded and then the outer shell was release from the white dwarf!? 

When I left the temperature was 17 degrees F but with not wind, and bundled up in my merino wool layers and my parka and bibs for hunting I was warm and snug! So glad I made it out last night. BTW, I also sketched M41 the Orion Nebula and will share that as well. I really like what I did with that as it was the last object I observed and sketched for the night. I need to work on my stars, in the cold they are not as round as I would like but that is also lack of practice. Hope you find time to get out and look up! 

Lunar Observing

 I've begun over the last several years to take up observing the moon. In the business of life, lunar observing is something  I can take an hour or so to do once a week. I wanted to share some ideas for lunar observing I've learned and would love to hear from some of you what your tricks of the trade so to speak for lunar observing are. 

First, get to know the main features of the moon. There are several resources I use for my lunar observing. The first resource is Sky & Telescopes Field Map of the Moon. I have both the mirror image for my refractor and my binoculars and the reverse image for my dobs. I find I use this the most as it is easy to use, laminated and has an index of major features on the back. 

My next resource is the 21st century Atlas of the Moon. This is a photographic atlas of the moon that is divided into 28 quadrants that you can see what the major features are in each quadrant. I find I use this resource to plan my observation for an evening of what are of the moon I am going to observe. I then use the Field Map of the Moon to help me to identify it in my backyard. 

My next resource is my favorite. Moonwalk with Your Eyes A Pocket Field Guide by Tammy Plotner. This book and resource breaks up observing the moon by the day of its phase. I love that I can easily identify what I want to observe my going to that day and then planning it out. This is my primary guide for learning and observing the moon. 

Some other factors. Though I love the view of the moon in my 10", 14" and 17.5" dobs, I find I like the views the best in my 4 inch refractor and in my 10 inch Orion XT10. I always use a lunar filter or polarizing filter to tone down the brightness and I highly recommend it. I usually observe through the gibbous state, until the moon becomes so bright and the Sunlight is hiding most of the shadows which reduces contrast. I never observe the full moon through a telescope or binoculars. There is little contrast so I enjoy the full moon naked eye. 

Look for my lunar sketches as I observe and report back on them. I have found observing the moon to be as fulfilling as observing at a dark site for deep sky objects. I also know it increases my enjoyment of the hobby. So don't lament that the moon is up, make the most of it and learn to observe and love observing the many wonderful features of our neighbor, the moon; Luna.  

 Thought I would go a little of the beaten road tonight. Here are the moon rise and set times for the next week: 

This is the week I usually plan to get out to one of my dark sites once or twice, preferably twice. Well, here is the forecast for this same days near one of my favorite dark sites: 

I am hoping now to get out either next Friday night or Saturday night as the weather during the week is looking hard and it is Thanksgiving. Saturday is new moon so either would work. We'll see what the weather brings but I'll have to dress warm as the low around 15 is even colder out in the desert, probably down to between 5 degrees and 10 degrees.  The good news is I can get there by 4pm, set up, and observe from 6pm to 10pm and then pack up and head home. You have to love late fall and winter observing!!!! We'll see how the dirt roads hold up. 

This led me to thinking what do I do when the weather is cooperating with observing? What do I do on those cloud nights? Well, sometimes now, more often than note, I just enjoy my family. My grandkids live with me and I love spending time with them! I also still really love and like being with my wife of 36 1/2 years, so we hang out and do things together. 

In terms of astronomy, here is what I do.  First, I make sure my observing session is planned for my next dark sky trip(s). I know what I am going to view and I have made my observing list in Sky Tools 4. That reminds me I need to do a review of Sky Tools 4 soon! Look for that! I also tune up my telescopes to make sure they are performing optimally. I clean them up (not the mirrors, my mirrors are fine and I don't think they need to be cleaned often) by cleaning up the wood, polishing them up, and sanding and revarnishing if needed. 

Next I check the batteries in all my equipment with a battery component I have that tests how much juice is in them. I replace the ones that need to be replaced. I then move on to my eyepieces and check them and identify if I need to clean any of them. I also spend time on Starry Night 7 to just play around and see how my next observing session will go and make sure I write down any tricky star hops. Between Sky Tools 4 and Starry Night 7 pro I feel comfortable when my next session comes. 

Next, I move on to organizing my tools and what I take out into the field. I am getting to be a minimalist now. I take out only what I need for that session. Finally, if the weather is bad the entire new moon period, I spend time practicing my sketching, usually taking one object a night and practicing sketching it for about 30 minutes using The STScI Digitized Sky Survey images LINK as a reference. 

If I know I am going after faint objects, I spend time looking at what others have done in observing, those that I trust and make their information available. So for me, a cloudy week at new moon may disappoint me, but I have many other things I do. I also do watercolors and pastel painting so if I feel I need a release, I may just work on an art piece during this time also. I adjust as circumstances arise. What do you do during those cloudy nights? Feel free to leave a comment if you wish. 

 

Light Options for Observing

 I've posted on this way back in 2014 LINK. However, I thought I would update my recommendations on red lights to use while observing. 

1. Photon Freedom Micro

My first choice is the Photon Freedom Micro LED keychain flashlight, Black w/ Covert LINK. I own 8 of these, 4 in red light, 2 in green and 2 in orange. They have never failed me in the field and I find the adjustable light perfect for helping me keep my night vision in tack. The one's I have own I have had for 10 years and yes, I have had to replace the batteries but that is all. Replacing the battery is tricky the first time but my backs have never fallen off after replacing them. I LOVE this item! 

2. Rigel Starlite Mini Compact Variable Brightness Red LED Astronomer's Flashlight

I own two of these and I like them a lot. I have modified them with a piece of red plastic put over the light to dim it just a little bit. The light is adjustable. The only compliant is the 9 volt battery is replaced by removing the front of the light and sometimes it doesn't want to fit on nicely.  I haven't had mine fall off as some have in the field, but I am careful when I change out the battery. 

3. Rigel Starlite Water-Resistant Variable Brightness Red LED Astronomer's Flashlight

I own one of these and I prefer this one over the Min Compact ones I have. Adjustable and the dimmest light allows you to see your charts without impacting your night vision. The brightest setting is two bright but good for take down after observing. However, I usually use a white light when I break down. 

4. BlackDiamond Spot 400 headlamp 

I still own 3 BlackDiamond Spot Headlamps that are 10 years old and still work outstanding! This is what they look like: 

I recently purchased an updated Spot 400 and like it ab out the same. 

The Spot 400 gives you the option for white light or red light. White LED outputs up to 400 lumens on max setting, 200 lumens on medium and 6 lumens on low. Red LED night vision has dimming and strobe modes, and is quickly activated without cycling through the white mode. All I have to do is hit the button and it changes over to red and stays on red until I hit the button and move it to white. It is a go to and you'll usually find it on my head or nearby.  

I haven't purchased update red lights for over 10 years now as mine are still going strong. I invested and my investment keeps on going (except for the Spot 400).  Having a good and dim red light is critical for sketching and for observing.  

Resources from the Night Sky Network

I want to take a minute and share some resources from NASA's Night Sky Network. There is a lot that is offered over there and here is a list of some of them. 

Presentations for Meetings, Class Visits and Cloudy Nights: LINK 

News and Resources: LINK 

Night Sky Planner for Today's Night: LINK 

Latest Articles: LINK 

Large Magellanic Cloud: Dwarf of the Milky Way or Survivor?

NASA on November 14th release this article on whether the Large Magellanic Cloud  is in orbit around the much larger Milky Way Galaxy or in actuality, is a survivor from a close encounter with the Milky Way. The article points out that the Large Magellanic Cloud has survived a passage near the Milky Way, which  has blown away most of the spherical halo of gas that surrounds the LMC. However, not all the gas has been torn away, there is enough that the LMC is still making new stars.  How do we know that? Because there are star forming regions still to be found in the LMC. A smaller galaxy would only have aging red stars left and in the LMC that is not the case. 

However, the LMC for its mass, is about 10 times smaller than other galaxies of the similar mass. This shows most of the gas in the LMC has been blown away by the encounter with the Milky Way.  The Milky Way in the article acts like a blow dryer, pushing a lot of the gas from the LMC out away from it and that gas will eventually come into the Milky Way. Fortunately for the LMC, not all of its halo will be lost so it will continue to make new stars as it moves away into deep space away from the Milky Way. 

This image from the article shows what is meant from the research down from using Hubble. 

I haven't done the article justice and invite you to click the link above and take 5 minutes to read the article. It is amazing to me how as we gather more knowledge about the universe around us, how our perception and paradigms and knowledge continue to grow and be expanded!