From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 14:20:57 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 18:20:57 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Struve1905 - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601182057.17444.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 10:00pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but just below or at horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): Struve1905 Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag 8.3, 8.4; Sep 2.9" Position: RA: 14h 56m 48s | Dec: +70o 50' Description: I knew that the Moon would be rising within a few hours of sunset tonight, but the twilight sky was so beautiful, I just had to set up my telescope. Knowing the sky would never get truly dark tonight, I opted for some double stars. The "Spirit of 33" double star observers have picked Ursa Minor this month. This constellation is well-placed in my sky, so I picked some of the easier ones from their list. -- This double is fairly faint, but both stars are about equal brightness. The tight pair could be separated at 122x, but the view was better at 203x. Both stars appeared white. From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 14:27:32 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 18:27:32 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Struve1798 - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601182732.17780.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 10:10pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but just below or at horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): Struve1798 Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag: 7.5, 9.7 Position: RA: 13h 55m 00s | Dec: +78o 24' Description: [From the "Spirit of 33" list for this month in Ursa Minor.] -- This double was easily split at 49x, but the best view was at 122x. The bluish secondary is a couple of magnitudes fainter than the yellow-white primary. From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 14:31:21 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 18:31:21 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Struve1972 (Pi-1 UMi) - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601183121.18123.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 10:20pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but just below or at horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): Struve1972 (Pi-1 UMi) Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag: 6.6, 7.3 Position: RA: 15h 29m 12s | Dec: +80o 27' Description: [From the "Spirit of 33" list for this month in Ursa Minor.] -- This nice-looking double was fairly wide, easily split at 49x. I preferred the view at 81x, however, due to better color contrast. The brighter star is white, and the fainter companion has a tinge of yellow. From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 14:36:45 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 18:36:45 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Struve93 (Alpha UMi, Polaris) - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601183645.18470.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 10:35pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but just below or at horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): Struve93 (Alpha UMi, Polaris) Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag: 2.1, 9.1 Position: RA: 02h 31m 49s | Dec: +89o 16' Description: [From the "Spirit of 33" list for this month in Ursa Minor.] -- I always like looking at this double. Although I could easily find the faint companion at 49x, the best view was at 81x. At this magnification, the primary is yellow-shite and the companion is pale blue. It reminded me of what the Earth and Sun might look like from perhaps a moon of Saturn. -- [Editor's Note from Lew: What a stunning comparison! I may have to steal that one for public observing events... :) ] From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 15:05:18 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 19:05:18 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: HJ 2682 (multiple star) - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601190518.18909.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 10:40pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but just below or at horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): HJ 2682 Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag: 6.7, 9.0, 9.7 Position: RA: 13h 40m 42s | Dec: +76o 51' Description: [From the "Spirit of 33" list for this month in Ursa Minor.] -- This was a triple star system, easily split at 49x. Increasing the magnification to 81x revealed some subtle colors. The brightest component was pale yellow-white, but the other two stars were a bit too faint to be able to detect colors. The faintest component is about halfway between and off to one side of the brighter two components, forming a triangle. From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 15:08:33 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 19:08:33 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Struve1840 - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601190833.19195.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 11:10pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but just below or at horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): Struve1840 Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag: 7.0, 10.4 Position: RA: 14h 19m 54s | Dec: +67o 47' Description: [From the "Spirit of 33" list for this month in Ursa Minor.] -- The best view of this double was at 81x. The primary was white or blue-white, but I was unable to determine a color for the much fainter companion. From starborg at allencc.edu Tue Jun 1 15:11:24 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 19:11:24 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Struve1841 - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040601191124.19481.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded to IAAC with Tom's permission.] Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W, Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 05 May 2004, 11:15pm CDT Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon: Full, but near horizon Weather: Temperatures in the low 60s. There was a light breeze. Relative humidity was about 68% Object(s): Struve1841 Category: Multiple star. Constellation: UMi Data: Mag: 7.1, 10.7 Position: RA: 14h 21m 06s | Dec: +67o 48' Description: [From the "Spirit of 33" list for this month in Ursa Minor.] -- The nearly full Moon was peeking up over the eastern treetops, marking an end to the night's observing. Too bad, because it was a beautiful night... -- The brightest component of this double forms an almost identical wide optical binary with the brighter star in Struve1840 (see a previous log). In fact, both pairs looked very similar, except Struve1841 appeared to have a little different position angle, the secondary star was a little fainter, and it was a little more separated from the primary. From doug_herbst at ml.com Tue Jun 1 15:37:19 2004 From: doug_herbst at ml.com (Doug Herbst (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 19:37:19 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: M49 (NGC 4472), NGC 4492 - Inst: 20" f/5 dob Message-ID: <20040601193719.20424.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded with Doug's permission.] Observer: Doug Herbst Location: Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport PA USA Equipment: 20" f/5 Obsession Dobsonian Eyepieces: 35mm Panoptic (75x), 19mm Panoptic (132x), 13mm Lanthanum (192x) Date/Time: 16 May 2004, 10:00pm - 1:30am Local time Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 9/10 Moon: None Weather: Clear, Temp 46o F Object(s): M49 (NGC 4472), NGC 4492 Category: External galaxy. Class: E2, Sa Constellation: Vir Data: Mag 8.4, 12.6; Size 10'x8', 1.7'x1.6' Position: 12:29:46.5 +07:59:58 Description: M49 (NGC 4472): Starting point for another romp through galaxyland; a bright oval with a sharply contrasting core; a bright star is located very close to it. (75x, 132x) -- NGC 4492: Noted while observing M49; a dim smudge that forms a triangle with two stars. (75x, 132x) From doug_herbst at ml.com Tue Jun 1 15:57:40 2004 From: doug_herbst at ml.com (Doug Herbst (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 19:57:40 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 4442, NGC 4417, NGC 4424, NGC 4445 - Inst: 20" f/5 dob Message-ID: <20040601195740.20824.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded with Doug's permission.] Observer: Doug Herbst Location: Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport PA USA Date/Time: 16 May 2004, 10:00pm - 1:30am Local time Equipment: 20" f/5 Obsession Dobsonian Eyepieces: 35mm Panoptic (75x), 19mm Panoptic (132x), 13mm Lanthanum (192x) Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 9/10 Moon: None Weather: Clear, Temp 46o F Object(s): NGC 4442, NGC 4417, NGC 4424, NGC 4445 Category: External galaxy. Class: SB(s), SB0, SB(s)ab, Sab Constellation: Vir Data: Mag 10.4, 11.1, 11.7, 12.8 Position: 12:28:03.7 +09:48:18 Description: NGC 4442: Bright round core surrounded by an oval halo bejeweled with two foreground stars. (75x, 192x) -- NGC 4417: SE of NGC 4442, small bright core, flattened halo. (192x) -- NGC 4424: SSE of NGC 4442, smudgy halo with bright core. (192x) -- NGC 4445: Almost due south of NGC 4442, a nice little sliver seen with averted vision. (192x) From doug_herbst at ml.com Tue Jun 1 16:16:35 2004 From: doug_herbst at ml.com (Doug Herbst (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 20:16:35 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 4365, NGC 4535, NGC 4526, NGC 4570, NGC 4596, NGC 4698 - Inst: 20" f/5 dob Message-ID: <20040601201635.21233.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded with Doug's permission.] Observer: Doug Herbst Location: Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport PA USA Date/Time: 16 May 2004, 10:00pm - 1:30am Local time Equipment: 20" f/5 Obsession Dobsonian Eyepieces: 35mm Panoptic (75x), 19mm Panoptic (132x), 13mm Lanthanum (192x) Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 9/10 Moon: None Weather: Clear, Temp 46o F Object(s): NGC 4365, NGC 4535, NGC 4526, NGC 4570, NGC 4596, NGC 4698 Category: External galaxy. Class: E3, SAB(s)c, SAB(s), S0sp, SB(r)0a, SA(s)ab Constellation: Vir Data: Mag 9.6, 10.0, 9.7, 10.9, 10.4, 10.6 Position(s): 1224+0719, 1234+0811, 1234+0742, 1236+0714, 1239+1010, 1248+0829 Description: [Editor's Note: These objects were all observed during the same session. They are grouped here for convenience - so, are not necessarily related in any significant way. -Lew] -- NGC 4365: not very large, with a halo gradually brightening to a fairly prominent core. (75x, 132x) -- NGC 4535: large diffuse face-on with a mottled texture; foreground stars are sprinkled in front of it. (75x, 132x) -- NGC 4526: a bright core surrounded by a flattened halo flanked by two stars. (75x, 132x) -- NGC 4570: bright core set in a slender halo with tapered ends. (75x, 192x) -- NGC 4596: small, bright, and fuzzy; arranged interestingly amid 3 stars. (75x, 192x) -- NGC 4698: small and round, flanked by two stars. (75x, 192x) From doug_herbst at ml.com Tue Jun 1 16:20:01 2004 From: doug_herbst at ml.com (Doug Herbst (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 1 Jun 2004 20:20:01 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 4710 - Inst: 20" f/5 dob Message-ID: <20040601202001.21544.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Forwarded with Doug's permission.] Observer: Doug Herbst Location: Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport PA USA Date/Time: 16 May 2004, 10:00pm - 1:30am Local time Equipment: 20" f/5 Obsession Dobsonian Eyepieces: 35mm Panoptic (75x), 19mm Panoptic (132x), 13mm Lanthanum (192x) Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 9/10 Moon: None Weather: Clear, Temp 46o F Object(s): NGC 4710 Category: External galaxy. Class: SA(r)0+?sp Constellation: Com Data: Mag 11.0, size 4.90' x 1.17' Position(s): 12:49:39.0 +15:09:55 Description: NGC 4710: small but prominent with a bright core and oval halo. (75x, 192x) From lgramer at upstream.net Wed Jun 2 13:00:25 2004 From: lgramer at upstream.net (Lewis J. Gramer) Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 13:00:25 -0400 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Arp 2 (C 1925-304) NOT SEEN - Inst: 36" f/5 dob Message-ID: <191d01c448c3$1cd9e0c0$9101a8c0@upstreambos.com> IAAC Deep-Sky Observing Log Entry Name of observer: Lew Gramer, Barbara Wilson Your observing skills then: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 19/20 May 2004, 2:30 Local Site type: Rural Location: Texas Star Party, Ft Davis TX USA (Lat 30N, Elev 1700m) Sky darkness: 7.4 (Limiting magnitude) Seeing: 4 (1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)) Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 36" f/5 dob Powers: 131x, 352x Filters: None Deep Sky Object: Arp 2 (C 1925-304) - NOT SEEN! Object category: Globular cluster. Object class: (very diffuse) Constellation: Sgr Position: 19:28:44 -30:21:14 Object data: mag 13.0 15.5m* (RGB), size 2.5' Description: Journal article 1995AJ....109..650B lists the Vt (integrated visual magnitude) of this obscure cluster as 12.3. However, other sources seem to say Vm=13.0. In any case, it must be far harder to see than this bright magnitude would suggest! (Once again demonstrating that published magnitudes - even when they are V instead of B, R or IR - can be a mighty poor indicator of object visibility for amateurs.) -- Arp 2 seems like an easy star hop from bright, beautiful M55, low down in the bowels of the Archer: From the core of the Messier, I headed NW just over half an 80mm finder field (1.5 degree), past an unmistakeable NE/SW chain of stars mags 7-9, then one degree (1/3 f.o.v.) further to a wide "finder trapezoid" of stars mag 5 to 7. Inside this trapezoid, along the long E base, was a small nondescript lozenge of stars mags 9-10, that almost fit within our 35mm field on the 36". The small star-lozenge would be my starting point, while the big trapezoid bounded my search area for Arp2... -- Tonight was my first attempt at Arp 2: after an initial failure, I decided to go on to an easier, even more fascinating (to me) target in the neighborhood of M55, for a little while. (See my upcoming log of Hickson 86 - a compact galaxy group in Southeast Sagittarius of all places, just 12 deg from galactic center!) -- However, as the area neared meridian, I had another go - this time with none other than Barbara Wilson waiting at the bottom of the ladder for me to find it. Talk about pressure! :) Repeated sweeps first with a 35mm Pan (131x) and then an old 13mm Nagler (352x) showed no hint of haze. Using the handy MegaStar chart provided by Larry Mitchell in his TSP 2004 "Observing Challenges" sheaf, I was even able to verify the star area - no hint of a brightening, or of an additional concentration of stars. -- At this point, I decided it was time to engage the heavy guns! I asked Barbara to take a sweep for it through the region - she also turned up nothing, sweeping back and forth with the 35mm at 131x. -- Although this made me feel a little better, I still determined to try again on one of the remaining nights of TSP - but in fact, an opportunity just never arose again. So until I can try this again at a dark southern site - perhaps next year at TSP? - I will just have to leave this object as a "NOPE" for now. -- If Barbara had had more time to search from the charts, I am sure we'd have both gotten to take a log of this object on this night. She also mentioned to me later that tonight's poor seeing was a likely contributing factor to our not "sweeping up" this object. This frustrates me (in a fun way), as I know others were seeing Arp 2 that very week in much smaller apertures than I was using... -- Any Web URL related to log: http://cdsads.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1995AJ....109.. 650B From lgramer at upstream.net Fri Jun 4 15:18:31 2004 From: lgramer at upstream.net (Lewis J. Gramer) Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 15:18:31 -0400 Subject: (IAAC) Fwd: Chandra: "Smoking Gun Found for Gamma-Ray Burst in Milky Way" Message-ID: <1d2a01c44a68$b9affff0$9101a8c0@upstreambos.com> This latest fascinating X-ray object, "W 49b" (SNR 043.3-00.2), is a supernova remnant "conveniently" located (for Northern Hemisphere Summer), in Aquila at 19:11:09 +09:06.4 (SIMBAD). http://chandra.harvard.edu/press/04_releases/press_060204.html There have been ample professional observations of this object at X-ray and radio frequencies (and some mention of IR - far IR, I would guess?) But a CDS search turned up no evidence that it has ever been observed visually at all - by professional imaging, or otherwise - and therefore there is no indication of a total magnitude or surface brightness (in any near-visual band). And a look at the DSS plates shows NOTHING at this exact location - though there is a field star which seems just 10-20 arcsec to the East of this position on the POSS2 plates. Finally, distance estimate from the press release is a tidy 35 kly. So from all indications, this object is completely invisible visually... which naturally lead me to wonder if anyone on these lists has ever tried observing it, or has access to any data that might indicate it COULD be observed or imaged in visible light? :) Clear skies, Lew Gramer From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Tue Jun 8 22:18:55 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 9 Jun 2004 02:18:55 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 6543 - Inst: C9.25" Message-ID: <20040609021855.9985.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Glenn Talbert Observer: Glenn Talbert Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: June 7, 2004 / 2300hr PDT Location of site: Chico, CA (Lat 39N, Elev ) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: mag 5 Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: C9.25" Magnification: 195x Filter(s): OIII Object(s): NGC 6543 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Constellation: Draco Data: mag 8.3 size 0,4' x 0.3' Position: RA 17:58 DEC 66:37 Description: Very bright, roundish oval disc. Central star was not seen due to it's brightness. Suspected seeing a dark mottling in the center. The outer edge very suddenly fades sharply. Faint nebulosity can be seen outside surrounding the entire disc. Unable to see the brightest portion of the outer filament aka IC 4677. Without the OIII filter, the nebula shows a light blue tint. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From lgramer at upstream.net Wed Jun 9 18:20:02 2004 From: lgramer at upstream.net (Lewis J. Gramer) Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 18:20:02 -0400 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 6543 - Inst: C9.25" In-Reply-To: <200406091600.i59G0eq2029269@alum-1.mit.edu> Message-ID: <00af01c44e6f$ecedcb80$9101a8c0@upstreambos.com> Glenn, I enjoyed your observation of the Cat's Eye: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/logs/msg04029.html Was especially interested in your observation of the outer halo - this is always a fun challenge for those bright PNe that are cataloged with outer halos. There is a very nice observation of tiny filament IC4677 on the edge of the PN in a 17", from our own Mark Viol: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/logs/msg03353.html That is the only other explicit reference to this little bit of "extra" nebulosity, although it seems likely that our own Mark Birkmann saw it as well with his 30" dob: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/logs/msg00634.html (What Mark saw was identified by another poster as being NGC 6552 - but that object is some 8' EAST of the Cat's Eye, and in any case is very distinctly a galaxy - often featured as an "odd couple" object with the Cat's Eye. So it would not have fit either of the Marks' descriptions.) Very interesting that you thought to try for this little extension to the PN halo in a 9" scope, Glenn. Has anyone logged this little IC object in medium or small apertures? Clear skies! Lew Gramer > -----Original Message----- > Date: 9 Jun 2004 02:18:55 -0000 > Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 6543 - Inst: C9.25" > To: Internet Amateur Astronomers Catalog > > > ---- > > Observer: Glenn Talbert > Your skills: Intermediate (some years) > Date/time of observation: June 7, 2004 / 2300hr PDT > Location of site: Chico, CA (Lat 39N, Elev ) > Site classification: Rural > Sky darkness: mag 5 > Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> > Moon presence: None - moon not in sky > Instrument: C9.25" > Magnification: 195x > Filter(s): OIII > Object(s): NGC 6543 > Category: Planetary nebula. > Class: > Constellation: Draco > Data: mag 8.3 size 0,4' x 0.3' > Position: RA 17:58 DEC 66:37 > Description: > Very bright, roundish oval disc. Central star was not seen > due to it's brightness. Suspected seeing a dark mottling in > the center. > The outer edge very suddenly fades sharply. Faint nebulosity > can be seen outside surrounding the entire disc. > Unable to see the brightest portion of the outer filament aka IC 4677. > Without the OIII filter, the nebula shows a light blue tint. > -- From BillFerris at aol.com Fri Jun 11 12:14:39 2004 From: BillFerris at aol.com (Bill Ferris (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 11 Jun 2004 16:14:39 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 6543 - Inst: C9.25" Message-ID: <20040611161439.4752.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> [Reply crossposted with Bill's permission. -Lew] "Lewis J. Gramer" wrote, in part: > Very interesting that you thought to try for this little > extension to the PN halo in a 9" scope, Glenn. Has anyone > logged this little IC object in medium or small apertures? I've got a negative observation of the filament and a positive of nearby NGC 6552. That galaxy is a FLS (faint little stinker) and a good test of transparency from a dark sky site. http://members.aol.com/billferris/n6543.html http://members.aol.com/billferris/n6552.html If I'm interpreting the positive sightings and the DSS image correctly, the filament is about 100" west of the Cat's Eye (NGC 6543) or about 60" southeast of the 9th magnitude GSC star in my sketch. I'll have to look more closely for this when the transparency and seeing cooperate. Regards, Bill Ferris Flagstaff, Arizona USA www.cosmic-voyage.net From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sun Jun 13 16:14:00 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 13 Jun 2004 20:14:00 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 5981/82/85 - Inst: C9.25" Message-ID: <20040613201400.8706.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Glenn Talbert Observer: Glenn Talbert Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: June 13, 2004 / 0100-0200 PDT Location of site: Chico, CA. (Lat 39N, Elev ) Site classification: Suburban Sky darkness: 9 <1-10 Scale (10 best)> Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: C9.25" Magnification: 138x Filter(s): None Object(s): NGC 5981/82/85 Category: Cluster of galaxies. Class: Constellation: Draco Data: mag size Position: RA : DEC : Description: Not known if these galaxies are related however they do fit nicely in a 138x fov. All three galaxies are spaced about 6' apart from each other in a stright row. Described from east to west. NGC 5985, large, oval shape, pretty faint, low surface brightness (sbr 14.0), large diffused core can be seen with difficulty. NGC 5982, brightest of the three, small, round, with a nearly stellar core with a diffused halo.. NGC 5981, difficult object, could barly hold using adverted vision, very faint with a hint of elongation. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Mon Jun 14 09:03:59 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 14 Jun 2004 13:03:59 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 6207 - Inst: 3.5" Refractor ( 9 cm), ecuatorial mount, f/11 Message-ID: <20040614130359.29356.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Tudorica Alexandru Observer: Tudorica Alexandru Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 09.06.2004 23:50 UT Location of site: Ghirdoveni, Romania (Lat +45, Elev 260m) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 6.8 Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 3.5" Refractor ( 9 cm), ecuatorial mount, f/11 Magnification: 110X Filter(s): none Object(s): NGC 6207 Category: External galaxy. Class: Constellation: Her Data: mag 11.6 size 3.0' Position: RA 16 h:43.1' DEC +36 deg.:50' Description: Faint galaxy near M 13 in Hercules, barely visible, only with averted vision. At lower power than 110X, the galaxy is not visible, becouse it is so small (I think), and at 110 X I can see that it is an eliptical galaxy. No other details recorded (like color). It is close to the limit of visibility in a 3.5" ( 9cm) -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Thu Jun 17 09:25:27 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 17 Jun 2004 13:25:27 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: M5 - Inst: 3.5" (9cm) refractor, f/11, ecuatorial Message-ID: <20040617132527.8390.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Tudorica Alexandru Observer: Tudorica Alexandru Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 15.06.2004 - 21:00 UT Location of site: Ghirdoveni, Romania (Lat +45 , Elev 260m) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: +6.9 Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 3.5" (9cm) refractor, f/11, ecuatorial Magnification: 38X, 76X, 110X Filter(s): none Object(s): M5 Category: Globular cluster. Class: Constellation: Ser Data: mag 5.6 size 23' Position: RA 15h :18' DEC +02 deg:05 Description: Very bright globular cluster, well resolved at 38X, some stars are also seen, from which one is at 3' from the nucleus, faint, and another one is at 20' from the globular, bright, and double, the separation between the compenents being about 4", and the magnitude difference between the about 4.5 magnitudes.(it is at SSE)At 76X the cluster looks much more impressive, more stars are resolved, transforming into a blanket of stars that cover a bright patch of diffuse light (maybe from the space cold:)). The halo looks asymetric, being more bright at the N side of it; a kind oir curved arm made of faint stars is visible; also a dark nebula that seems to cut it from the cluster, the dark nebula has the same form as the arm. At 110X the cluster seems even more impressive, much more stars being visible.With every increase in power the cluster looks more beautifoul. At this power it is seen that the star that is 3' from the nucleus, it isn't a star, it is a string of four stars, very close one to eachother. The cluster looks violet - blue. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From starborg at allencc.edu Thu Jun 17 10:40:13 2004 From: starborg at allencc.edu (Tom Campbell (via Lew Gramer)) Date: 17 Jun 2004 14:40:13 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 5248 - Inst: 8" f/6 dob Message-ID: <20040617144013.10582.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> Observer: Tom Campbell Location: Iola, Kansas (Long: 95o24'W Lat: 37o55'N) Equipment: Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian Eyepieces: 1.25" Ploessls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x), 6mm (203x) Date/Time: 14 June 2004, 11:20pm CDT Limiting Magnitude: 4.7 (near bright light dome) Transparency: Clear (8/10) Seeing: Stable (8/10) Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Weather: Temperatures in the upper 70s. There was a little to no breeze. Relative humidity was very high. Object(s): NGC 5248 Category: External galaxy. Class: SAB(rs)bc I-II (catalog) Constellation: Bootes Data: mag 11.0, size 6.1'x4.4' (catalog) Position: RA: 13h 37m 32s, Dec: +08o 53' Description: Finding this galaxy was a starhopping adventure. At this time, Bootes was nearly over the county hospital, and the limiting magnitude was about 4.7. I had to use a low-power eyepiece to find it. I started at Eta, which was just visible through my Telrad. From there, I jumped to 70 Vir, and then 71 Vir. From there, I hopped sideways to the double star Burnham 612, and then finally over to my target. -- This galaxy was just barely detectable from my backyard. In fact, I missed seeing it the first time I tried to locate it. The spiral galaxy was fairly large and elongated. With direct vision, it almost disappeared completely. Using averted vision, a nearly stellar core was visible. The best view was at 88x, but no spiral structure was visible. From lgramer at upstream.net Thu Jun 17 13:14:40 2004 From: lgramer at upstream.net (Lewis J. Gramer) Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 13:14:40 -0400 Subject: (IAAC) Great articles on observing quasars, gravitational lenses and quasar/galaxy groups Message-ID: <093a01c4548e$97b5cda0$9101a8c0@upstreambos.com> I found a couple of very informative sites about quasars, BL Lac objects and gravitational lenses, from well-known German deep-sky observer Wolfgang Steinicke. Thought they might be of general interest to other deep-sky nuts: http://www.klima-luft.de/steinicke/Artikel/dqso/dq_e.htm http://www.klima-luft.de/steinicke/KHQ/khq_e.htm Here's another really interesting page I happened on the other day, from the Adventures in Deep Space website: http://www.angelfire.com/id/jsredshift/arpredshift.htm It has much useful info on observing quasars, about the (still lingering!) Great Red Shift controversy, and it even features none other than the NGC 5985 galaxy group Glenn Talbert recently posted an observation of on IAAC: ( http://www.visualdeepsky.org/search.cgi?catalogs=NGC&ids=598%5b125%5d ) Has anyone visually observed any of the quasar/galaxy groupings featured in the "Adventures" article, other than NGC4319/Mk205? I can't find any of these besides Markarian 205, that show up in Wolfgang's Catalogue. (I did get a chance to observe two of the several QSOs in the neighborhood of NGC3842 at the most recent TSP; see an upcoming observing log in IAAC for these.) Clear skies! Lew Gramer Webmaster: http://www.visualdeepsky.org From lgramer at upstream.net Fri Jun 18 21:26:58 2004 From: lgramer at upstream.net (Lewis J. Gramer) Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 21:26:58 -0400 Subject: (IAAC) Re: Abell 43, Abell 71 In-Reply-To: <1087498514.187.56245.m12@yahoogroups.com> Message-ID: <0c5e01c4559c$87849a10$9101a8c0@upstreambos.com> > I've sketched A43 (see my web pages) and I saw, with my 17" > an annular structure and 2 stars surimposed. > Has anyone saw an annular structur ? Benji, it appears that Stathis Kafalis noted annularity in this "knotty" Abell with his 24" f/4 scope. And he goes on to log what sounds like some very interesting structure in it as well, with higher power and an OIII filter! http://www.visualdeepsky.org/search.cgi?catalogs=Abell&ids=43 >From the amateur images, it seems like it would be nothing BUT annularity to a visual observer, e.g., http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/abell43walendowski.jpg > > Also tried the faint Abell 71 but no luck with the > > 25" or the 15". I will try again this weekend in mag > > 7.0 skies. > > Yes, it's an hard one. IAAC has archived a few successful attempts at this large, challenging Abell, including one from Eric H., another by Yann Pothier, and even a claim of seeing it with a 13"! http://www.visualdeepsky.org/search.cgi?catalogs=Abell&ids=71 The Adventures in Deep Space site includes it among Steve Gottlieb's "Best Abell Planetaries: Summer", and includes his observation of it with a 17": http://www.angelfire.com/id/jsredshift/abell3.htm Clear skies! Lew Gramer > -----Original Messages----- > ______________________________________________________________ > > Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 19:07:34 +0200 > From: BM > Subject: Re: Re: Abell 43 > > On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 20:58:11 EDT > utahdeb at aol.com wrote: > > > > > helped to look at the starfield in the picture then print > out the image. > > Thanks for filling in the subject line. I'm not too alert today. > > > > Debbie > > Good luck Debbie for A43. > Eat suggar (with tea or something else) and be not tired. > BTW, A43 isn't a retinial torture as Eric likes ;) > > Benji. > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 19:05:43 +0200 > From: BM > Subject: Re: Re: Abell 43 > > On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 20:58:11 EDT > utahdeb at aol.com wrote: > > > > > Steve, > > > > After I failed to view Abell 43 Friday night, I went to the > angelfire website > > Sunday, looked at your observation and noted the two stars > in the picture. It > > helped to look at the starfield in the picture then print > out the image. > > Thanks for filling in the subject line. I'm not too alert today. > > > > Debbie > > I've sketched A43 (see my web pages) and I saw, with my 17" > an annular structure and 2 stars surimposed. > Has anyone saw an annular structur ? > > Benji. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 19:17:19 +0200 > From: BM > Subject: Re: (unknown) > > On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 21:06:45 -0000 > "Debbie " wrote: > > > Also tried the faint Abell 71 but no luck with the > > 25" or the 15". I will try again this weekend in mag 7.0 skies. > > Yes, it's an hard one. > > BM From lgramer at upstream.net Fri Jun 18 21:53:19 2004 From: lgramer at upstream.net (Lewis J. Gramer) Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 21:53:19 -0400 Subject: (IAAC) Re: [starrynights] Asterims - IC 4665 In-Reply-To: <1087599713.2902.88919.m12@yahoogroups.com> Message-ID: <0c6401c455a0$36137670$9101a8c0@upstreambos.com> Sue, Bill, Carol, Greg et al, I also love this beautiful open cluster, and call it "the Epaulette cluster" - because of it's position just above (what I see as) the Serpent Bearer's E shoulder, beta Oph: http://visualdeepsky.org/search.cgi?catalogs=IC&ids=4665 http://visualdeepsky.org/logs/msg00278.html I often try to name things as a mnemonic for their position in the sky, rather than their appearance: so for example, I have often called M35 the "shoe buckle cluster", and NGC2903 is the "Lion's nose galaxy" (or the lion's booger, if I'm in a scatological mood). And so of course, the magnificent open cluster Collinder 132 (C 0712-310) below Eta CMa, is forever fixed in my mind as - the Dingleberry cluster! :) And by the way, both of these really are open clusters, from what I can tell - not true asterisms at all! For IC 4665: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/cdsbib?2002A%26A...388..158L and for Cr 132: http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/cdsbib?2001A%26A...376..441D Clear skies all! Lew Gramer Webmaster: http://www.visualdeepsky.org > -----Original Message----- > Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 05:26:56 -0000 > From: "billferris2003" > Subject: Re: Asterims - IC 4665 > > "Carol L" wrote: > > Is it supposed to be a smiley face? I see the word 'HI'. > > Go to the link > > http://www.lansbergen.net/waarnemingen/gallery/displayimage.php? > > album=11&pos=6 and tilt your head 45? to the right. [The I is a bit > > bowed-in towards the H.] > > Ah, I see what you mean. I see the "HI" in that rendering. It takes > more immagination to see the "HI" in mine. > > Regards, > > Bill Ferris > Flagstaff, Arizona USA > www.cosmic-voyage.net From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 07:56:55 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 11:56:55 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 86 = PK 118+8.2 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619115655.22617.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Aug 8 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 1300) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 2- Seeing: 5 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 180 Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 86 = PK 118+8.2 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Smooth disk wtih traces of ring structure Constellation: Cepheus Data: mag 16p7 size 70" Position: RA 00:02 DEC +70:43 Description: This is one of my most chalenging observations. Many times before tried without success even under very good conditions. This time under eceptionel transparent skies (fog in the valleys blocked residual light pollution) and wildly structured Milky Way field found with Uranometria an fixed exact position with DSS print. - 24 mm WF (108x) + OIII: nothing - 15 mm Panoptic (168x) + OIII: nothing - 14 mm Meade UltraWF (180x) + OIII: 3 times in half hour of trying an extremly faint circular glow popped up with averted vision. The next night under same conditions I saw it again and again, but could hold it at 10% of time only. The observing fellow next to me confimed sighting. One of the really difficult Abells! -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 08:31:05 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 12:31:05 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 31 = PK 219+31.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619123105.23269.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2003 Feb. 25 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 1100) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 2-3 Seeing: 3 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 105 Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 31 = PK 219+31.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: very Irregular disk Constellation: Cancer Data: mag 12 size >980 Position: RA 08:54 DEC +08:54 Description: In the 24 mm Wide Field + OIII a huge Planetary! (I would guess 11' diameter). Round or slightly oval elongated E-W. One dominating 10m5 star in the nebular at SE-edge of a parallelogram, which is not the central star but is 1-2' eatwads out of the center. The CS itself is by far fainter, quite difficult to see at this bad seeing. Everywhere within the nebular I see faint irregular patches of glow. One dark patch in the East and another less obvious in the NW. The W-edge seems crescent shaped (not sure). More details pop up for short moments, but can't hold them. A remarcable Abell! In the POSS plates it is even bigger than I saw it. The next night at better seeing I saw 3 small faint background galaxies at 360x -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 08:48:56 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 12:48:56 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 22 = PK 215+11.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619124856.23675.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2003 Feb. 23 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 1100) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 2-3 Seeing: 3 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 168 Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 22 = PK 215+11.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: irregular disk Constellation: Canis Minor Data: mag 15p5 size 87" Position: RA 07:36 DEC +02:42 Description: Some 2? SSW of Procyon position found with DSSII print. With 15 mm Panoptic and OIII-filter immedietely to be seen. Oval shape elongated E-W. One star NE of center within the glow. Around this star a bow shaped brighter glow, which is more extended to the West. This gives the nebula an overal shape of a kidney. For a scetch see: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell_winter.htm -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 09:05:19 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 13:05:19 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 34 = PK 248+29.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619130519.24220.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2003 Feb. 22 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 1100) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 2+ Seeing: 3 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 105 Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 34 = PK 248+29.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Constellation: Hydra Data: mag 12v9 size 290" Position: RA 09:46 DEC -13:10 Description: located directly south of a bow consisting of 3 stars. In the 24 mm WF (105x)+ OIII I see this Abell as a large homogeneus planetary disk with partly brigher edges. To the South and to the West brighter arcs and at the NE-edge a brighter knot. The galaxy at the W-edge I could not see (tried without filter) -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 09:31:05 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 13:31:05 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 19 = PK 200+8.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619133105.24782.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Mar. 13 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 1300) Site classification: Exurban Sky darkness: 3 Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 280x Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 19 = PK 200+8.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: smooth disk w. traces of ring structure Constellation: Monoceros Data: mag ? size 34" Position: RA 07:00 DEC +14:37 Description: Pinned down position with DSS print. At this position a 13-14 mag star and some fainter next to it. With 9 mm Nagler (280x) + OIII the faint stars disappear almost completely, but instead there appears a haloshaped nebular around the brighter star. Exactly round, not easy, only whith averted vision. I am quite sure, that this is not just straylight from the star due to the filter. I also tried the galaxy UGC 3621 in the neigborhood: Faint extended glow. -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 09:48:03 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 13:48:03 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 18 = PK 216-0.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619134803.25162.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Mar. 13 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 1300) Site classification: Exurban Sky darkness: 3 Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 170x, 280x Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 18 = PK 216-0.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Smooth disk Constellation: Monoceros Data: mag 17p5 size 75" Position: RA 06:56 DEC -02:53 Description: Some nights ago could not find it just with Uranometria. This time pinned down position with DSSII red print. With 15 mm Panoptic (168x)+ OIII- filter w. averted vision from time to time I see a oval ghosly shining brighness of approx. 1' diameter, slighly elongated SE-NW. Only 10% of the time detected. 3 faint stars involved in the nebula. With 9 mm Nagler (280x) + OIII also seen, but even more difficult. With 24 mm WF (105x) no chance at all. This is a really tough one! -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 10:04:45 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 14:04:45 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 36 = PK 318+41.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619140445.25550.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Mar. 10 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 950) Site classification: Exurban Sky darkness: 3- Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 168x Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 36 = PK 318+41.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Irr. w. traces of ring structure Constellation: Virgo Data: mag 11v8 size 400" Position: RA 13:41 DEC -19:53 Description: With the 15 mm Panoptic (168) there is at this position a 11-12 mag star, which must be the central star. With OIII-filter around this star a very large disk (approx. 4' diameter)becomes visible. The 1/3-rd inner part is dimmer, so all in all it shows a slight ring structure. But it is not just a ring! I can see irregular dark structures allover the disk! These patches are obvious to detect, but quite difficult to localize, as they a visible with averted vision only. Again, a remarkable Abell! -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 10:17:39 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 14:17:39 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 37 = IC 972 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619141739.26033.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Mar. 10 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 950) Site classification: Exurban Sky darkness: 3 Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 105x, 360x Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 37 = IC 972 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Smooth disk w. traces of ring structure Constellation: Virgo Data: mag 13v9 size 43" Position: RA 14:04 DEC -17:15 Description: Immediately seen in with the 24 mm WF (105x) and OIII-filter. Best view with the 7 mm Nagler (360x) + OIII: Fairly bright disk, slightly mottled interior and quite good defined edge. Stays against the backgrount quite good even without filter (averted vision) No central star seen. -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 10:37:42 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 14:37:42 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 30 = PK 208+33.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619143742.26596.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Mar. 10 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 950) Site classification: Exurban Sky darkness: 3 Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 168 Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 30 = PK 208+33.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Smooth disc w. traces of ring structure Constellation: Cancer Data: mag 15v5 size 109" Position: RA 08:47 DEC +17:53 Description: Found position with DSSII blue printout. It took me some time to find it, but once spotted it stayed there (15 mm Panoptic, 168x + OIII). Central star of approx. 14 mag surrounded by a large diffuse glow, with very diffuse edge. I can't really say, where the edge is, it depends on how far indirect I look at. Two Galaxies lie in the neighborhood: IC 2398 at 8' south of A30. With 7 mm Nagler (360x): small, fairly faint, but easily directly visible. Oval, elongated N-S. IC 2406 at 21' SE of the planetary immediately seen in the 32 mm WF (79x), brither and larger as the above. In the 7 mm Nagler (360x) elongated blob with slightly squared central part. -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 19 12:16:56 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 19 Jun 2004 16:16:56 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Abell 24 = PK 217+14.1 - Inst: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Message-ID: <20040619161656.28057.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Stathis Kafalis Observer: Stathis Kafalis Your skills: Advanced (many years) Date/time of observation: 2002 Mar. 04 Location of site: German Alps (Lat 48, Elev 950) Site classification: Exurban Sky darkness: 3- Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 24" f/4.1 Ultralight Dobson Magnification: 105x, 168x Filter(s): OIII Object(s): Abell 24 = PK 217+14.1 Category: Planetary nebula. Class: Ring in large faint disk Constellation: Canis Minor Data: mag 13v4 size >229" Position: RA 07:52 DEC +03:00 Description: Found posidion using Uranometria and DSS. With 24 mm WF (105x) and OIII detected as a faint diffuse Patch. Stays more clearly against the background with the 15 mm Panoptic (168x)+OIII: Diffuse glow. In some moments irregularities seen in the disk. Very diffuse edge. No easy target, but can hold it stadily with averted vision. Galaxy MCG-20-6 just 5' south of the planetary: With 7 mm Nagler (360x) very bright for a MCG-galaxy. Oval, well defined edge. -- Optional related URLs: http://www.stathis-firstlight.de/deepsky/abell.htm ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sun Jun 20 08:52:11 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 20 Jun 2004 12:52:11 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Mu Draconis - Inst: 3.5" (9 cm) refractor, f/11, ecuatorial Message-ID: <20040620125211.12818.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Tudorica Alexandru Observer: Tudorica Alexandru Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 18.06.2004 01:00 UT Location of site: Ghirdoveni, Romania (Lat +45, Elev 260m) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: +6.8 Seeing: 6 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 3.5" (9 cm) refractor, f/11, ecuatorial Magnification: 110x Filter(s): none Object(s): Mu Draconis Category: Multiple star. Class: Constellation: Dra Data: mag 5.7/5.7 size 1.9" sep. Position: RA 17h:05' DEC +54 deg. :28' Description: Nice close double star, easily resolved at 110x, equally bright components of mag. 57 each, same yellow orange colour. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sun Jun 20 09:04:30 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 20 Jun 2004 13:04:30 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Nu Scorpii - Inst: 8X40 bin. Message-ID: <20040620130430.13301.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Tudorica Alexandru Observer: Tudorica Alexandru Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 18.05.2004 01:00 UT Location of site: Ghirdoveni, Romania (Lat +45, Elev 260m) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: +6.8 Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 8X40 bin. Magnification: 8x Filter(s): none Object(s): Nu Scorpii Category: Multiple star. Class: Constellation: Sco Data: mag mag 4.3 & 6.8 size Position: RA 16h:12' DEC -19:28' Description: Extremely hard to resolve, and only by stabilizing the binocluars on a fence. Unequal components. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sun Jun 20 09:12:21 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 20 Jun 2004 13:12:21 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 4036 / 4041 - Inst: 3.5" (9cm) refractor, f/11, ecuatorial Message-ID: <20040620131221.13625.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Tudorica Alexandru Observer: Tudorica Alexandru Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 18.06.2004 01:00 UT Location of site: Ghirdoveni, Romania (Lat +45, Elev 260m) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: +6.8 Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 3.5" (9cm) refractor, f/11, ecuatorial Magnification: 38x Filter(s): none Object(s): NGC 4036 / 4041 Category: External galaxy. Class: Constellation: UMa Data: mag 10.6 / 11.1 size 4.5' / 2.8' Position: RA 12 h :01' / 02' DEC +61/ 62 deg:54' / 08 Description: Too faint to see any detail, only I detected them very hard using hiperventilation and averted vision. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Tue Jun 22 17:19:11 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 22 Jun 2004 21:19:11 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 4417 - Inst: 10" f/4.7 Dobsonian Message-ID: <20040622211911.3271.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Brent Reary Observer: Brent Reary Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 06/21/04 04:00 UT Location of site: Rolla, MO USA (Lat 37 57'N, Elev ) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 5.5 Seeing: 6 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 10" f/4.7 Dobsonian Magnification: 80x, 133x, 267x Filter(s): None Object(s): NGC 4417 Category: External galaxy. Class: Constellation: Vir Data: mag 11.1 size 3.6' X 1.4' Position: RA 12:26 DEC +09:35 Description: A uniform elongated halo, aligned NE-SW. It brightens to a bright, during moments of steady seeing, nearly stellar core. Visible with direct vision at 80x, it bore magnification well, being best seen at 133x-267x. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Tue Jun 22 17:30:58 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 22 Jun 2004 21:30:58 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 4469 - Inst: 10" f/4.7 Dobsonian Message-ID: <20040622213058.3791.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Brent Reary Observer: Brent Reary Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 06/21/04 04:20 UT Location of site: Rolla, MO USA (Lat 37 57'N, Elev ) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 5.5 Seeing: 6 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: 10" f/4.7 Dobsonian Magnification: 80x, 133x, 267x Filter(s): None Object(s): NGC 4469 Category: External galaxy. Class: Constellation: Vir Data: mag 12.6p size 3.9' X 1.5' Position: RA 12:29.5 DEC +08:45 Description: A faint, elongated oval nebulous patch, aligned E-W. Wider in the center and tapering at each end. Of nearly uniform brightness, there is very slight brightening toward the core. Visible with averted vision at 80x, it did not bear magnification well, fading into the background at higher power. Best seen at 133x. -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Tue Jun 22 18:04:21 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 22 Jun 2004 22:04:21 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: NGC 5907 - Inst: C9.25" Message-ID: <20040622220421.4643.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Glenn Talbert Observer: Glenn Talbert Your skills: Intermediate (some years) Date/time of observation: 21 June. 2004 / 2300hrs PDT Location of site: Chico, CA. (Lat 39N, Elev ) Site classification: Rural Sky darkness: 4.5 Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: None - moon not in sky Instrument: C9.25" Magnification: 138x Filter(s): None Object(s): NGC 5907 Category: External galaxy. Class: Sc Constellation: Draco Data: mag 11.4 size 12.8' x 1.8' Position: RA 15:15.54 DEC 56:19.45 Description: NGC 5907: Galaxy in Draco. Aka The Splinter galaxy. Faint, extremely elongated north to south, with a bright elongated center. Brightness in the center suddenly fades and then continues to slowly fade as it extends outwards on both ends. The dust lane was not seen. Hidden within this galaxy is a very challenging smaller galaxy NGC 5906., On the western edge of 5907 is a star I used as a pointer star to locate NGC 5906. I could'nt confirm a visual on NGC 5906, but maybe perhaps the bright enlongated center inside of NGC 5907 possibly(?) could be NGC 5906. -- Optional related URLs: http://www.ngcic.org/dss/n/5/n5906.jpg ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html From anonymous at sedna.atmob.org Sat Jun 26 18:11:41 2004 From: anonymous at sedna.atmob.org (anonymous at sedna.atmob.org) Date: 26 Jun 2004 22:11:41 -0000 Subject: (IAAC) Obj: Delta Cephei - Inst: Meade 4.5" f/8.8 Single-arm, motorized Alt-Az Message-ID: <20040626221141.30012.qmail@sedna.atmob.org> ---- Observation Poster: Michael R. Mead Observer: Michael R. Mead Your skills: Beginner (< one year) Date/time of observation: 11:00 pm EST Location of site: Troy Michigan (Lat -83 02 57, Elev ) Site classification: Suburban Sky darkness: 5.5 Seeing: 8--- <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)> Moon presence: Minor - crescent or far from object Instrument: Meade 4.5" f/8.8 Single-arm, motorized Alt-Az Magnification: 9mm, 15mm, 25mm Filter(s): None Object(s): Delta Cephei Category: Variable star. Class: Constellation: Cepheus Data: mag 4.7 size Position: RA 22h:29m DEC +58:24 Description: This was my first view of a double and I found it interesting to see the difference in the colors a white (primary) and light blue (secondary). I think 66x was my best view with a 15mm Possi but the pair were split at all magnifactions. I hope my description become better as I gain experience. Thanks Mike -- Optional related URLs: ** This observing log automatically submitted via the Web from: http://www.visualdeepsky.org/enter-log.html