The Horse Head and I 21/2/15

[scarp15]

Last nights conditions from my dark site were a little challenging for a number of reasons which I will come to. Whilst seeing conditions for observing Jupiter were excellent, I wanted to explore a few nebula and later target some galaxies. For the first couple of hours unexpected cloud came and went making it a bit difficult, though much later it cleared completely.

NGC 2174 The Monkey head nebula was easy enough to pick up but close by NGC 443 The Jellyfish was not. I struggled a bit with the Flame in Orion though periodically M42 and M43 were spectacular as usual. I also took a look at M97 Owl Nebula, again nice and easy to observe. 

I have made a few attempts for B33, each time becoming more accustomed to the star pattern and the profile in which to look for as well as what to keep out of the field of view and so on. I also know how challenging this can be. Feeling that I had become suitably dark adapted I attached my H-beta filter and 25mm plossl eyepiece. I drifted downward to fix onto the correct position. Yes there is clearly something there, a dark notch in a faint grey tone. I could discern this more convincingly employing averted vision. However as with all of these hard objects, time and patience is required and swopping over eyepieces. 

Suddenly though the sky lite up as four flares shot high into the air, followed by several explosions. This was activity on the military training camp at Otterburn, some distance from where I was situated observing yet the sky glowed bright. Not too deterred I decided to have another go later. So later on everything began to look good once more - this time I attached my 20mm and H-beta filter. I started to drift downward when, a visitor arrived. It was a local Police Officer. He apologized for the flash light which completely killed my night vision.

Never mind he was very enthusiastic and expressed that with more than 8 years being stationed in Northumberland he had not yet seen the aurora. I remarked that a trace of it had been sighted just two nights earlier near to Hexham so there is always a chance. I gave him a tour of the highlights the Universe has to offer and he was clearly captivated. By the time he left Orion had begun to fade from view. The saga continues.  

A host of galaxies followed with NGC 2683 being my favourite for the evening.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Lovely report of a great night out. Was this your first sighting of the Horse Head? If so congrats on finding that elusive creature

[John]

Great report Iain

You description does sound like the Horsehead so congratulations !

[jetstream]

Great report Iain and congrats for the HH!

[jabeoo1]

Nice one mate....

I need some time with a H beta filter, a clear, dark sky with good-seeing conditions in the middle of nowhere.  The elusive 'notch' beckons. 

[bish]

Well done. There's always something to hinder us !

[scarp15]

Cheers everyone, yes this was the first occasion that I caught the HH. I feel that I now have the necessary conviction to be able to return with an aim to refine my approach, something that I would very much like to do. Even if as these things turn out, there are no more opportunities this season, it is something to look forward to, a kind of work in progress. 

[John]

I guess matters could have been worse if you had told the Police Officer that you were looking for the horse head that was above the running man and near the flame and later you might be looking for the eskimo   

[scarp15]

I guess matters could have been worse if you had told the Police Officer that you were looking for the horse head that was above the running man and near the flame and later you might be looking for the eskimo 

That's true, I toned down the jargon referring only to the Beehive and Bodes Nebulae, cigar galaxy. He was very inquisitive and just passed on comments such as 'thats a first', 'wow' and 'wait till I wake up in the morning and tell my Wife about this'. 

[alan potts]

Iain,

It sounds like you got the Horese Head to me as well as the coppers torch, all joking aside what better person could have out in the wilds on your own, the gear would be nice and safe.

Alan

[scarp15]

That is true Alan, the location I was at is quite remote and was not really such a large pull in / car park from the minor road. So when a vehicle suddenly arrived (only a couple had even passed) and when the guy got out with a flash torch onto my face - as I could not identify who he was, the thought running through my mind was 'oh no whats going on here'. He was good company, really appreciated the experience and apologetic for both the flash torch and when he drove off he did not initially put his head lights on (the full setting) so all good stuff. 

[m.tweedy]

Nice report Iain