A round up from the last the four nights....

[Mike73]

Been lots of clear nights in the last few weeks but unfortunately not good for DSO's with the moon around but heres a taste of what I've seen in four quick sessions.

All the objects are from the RASC Finest NGC's list that I'm sketching and I used a 12" f/5.3 OOUK dob.

30/9

The Double Cluster observed from home with SQM 19.5 (LM5.1) skies. I had just one hour before the moon rise and even though I'm not a huge open cluster fan it was still a lovely sight with a 1.2˚ FoV. 

1/10

My local dark site, shared with a couple inquisitive sheep. SQM 21.4 (LM6.3) Transparency 7/10

NGC 6210 which is a very small PN in Hercules, the challenge with this object was in its size, Im mean it really is small you couldn't even tell it wasn't a star until over x200 and using a OIII. It wasn't even properly dark when I observed this

NGC 5907 a nearly edge on spiral galaxy in Draco.

NGC 7000. I've been scratching my head about how to sketch the North American Nebula for a while just because of its sheer size, my 1600mm focal length scope would just be able to see a fraction of it with the widest EP. I figured the best way to take in the whole NAN was just to sit a OIII onto of my 9x50 finder which worked a treat! It was faint because in effect I as only using the 40mm aperture of the filter but still let me see the whole neb plus a small part of IC 5070 The Pelican nebula.

2/10

A new dark site on some farm land in mid Cornwall. SQM 21.6 (LM6.4) Transparency 8/10

NGC 40 The Bow Tie nebula. I used a OIII and x245 to show a rectangle shaped nebula with two brighter edges and a central star, definitely no Bow Tie shape!

Sharpness 2-91 beat me a few times last year when using my 16" but thanks to Johns link to Jays SN Challenge and a couple printed off finder charts I found it quite easily. My mistake last year was just using a low power EP to sweep the area! I didn't  sketch it but I will do at a later date.

NGC 281 the Pacman nebula. I used a OIII with x66 mag and exit pupil of around 5.4mm. I'm not a fan of 100˚ EP's but can really see where they help with objects like this. I would of loved more mag and a lower exit pupil! Almost triangular shape with a big chuck taken out of the middle.

NGC 7635 the Bubble nebula. This object beat me and I hate it when I cant find objects!!! I tried everything OIII filter, no filter and different mags. I was sure I was in the right spot but couldn't find it?!!

3/10

Same site as the night before. SQM 21.4 (LM6.3) Transparency 5/10 decreasing.

It really didn't look too good while I was setting up, a very damp air and I could see mist patches.

As soon as it was dark enough I was straight back to the Bubble and M52 area. Within a minute I'd found the hazy half shell outline of the bubble but it was very hazy. I fumbled about trying to get my sketching gear out went back to the EP and it was even worse but I made a hurried sketch. Within 10 minutes I had to give up as the view was so bad. Looking around I realised I was trying to observe in near enough thick fog! So I was happy that I spotted the Bubble and I now know exactly where it is for next time but my half finished sketch doesn't get a tick in the box for my RASC list so I'II try another time and get some more detail.

Forecast isn't looking too good for the next few days, maybe some clear skies towards the end of the week and then the Bubble shall be mine!

[jetstream]

Great report Mike! Glad the skies co-operated for a while. Congrats for the Little Veil and also the Bubble, the Cocoon is the one that I struggle with. The low power 100deg EP's are extremely useful for viewing the nebulae, but the 30mm ES 82 is used for a few of the biggest nebs and it serves me well, recommended. Actually I would like the 30mm ES 100deg  3"   with its 53mm field stop.

[scarp15]

Good effort Mike and good luck sketching the Bubble next time. It is quite illusive, I have observed it without issue with an OIII filter on a couple of occasions, at other times I simply fail to locate it. I have been compiling my Nebula list for the coming two months. The Pacman is there and I would like to try my new UHC filter on the Pelican to determine if I can achieve a more distinct profile from that when using an OIII. A few others would include The Cone, The Seagull IC 2177 and The Iris NGC 7023 a combination of either UHC or H-beta being I believe as filter of choice.  With the UHC I would also like to focus some attention on the Flame.

[cotterless45]

Great report ! Very pleased that you got similar views of NGC 40 and NGC 281. Can't wait for some dark sky observing,

Nick.

[estwing]

wonderful targets there...here's to more!

[Mike73]

Great report Mike! Glad the skies co-operated for a while. Congrats for the Little Veil and also the Bubble, the Cocoon is the one that I struggle with. The low power 100deg EP's are extremely useful for viewing the nebulae, but the 30mm ES 82 is used for a few of the biggest nebs and it serves me well, recommended. Actually I would like the 30mm ES 100deg  3"   with its 53mm field stop.

Good effort Mike and good luck sketching the Bubble next time. It is quite illusive, I have observed it without issue with an OIII filter on a couple of occasions, at other times I simply fail to locate it. I have been compiling my Nebula list for the coming two months. The Pacman is there and I would like to try my new UHC filter on the Pelican to determine if I can achieve a more distinct profile from that when using an OIII. A few others would include The Cone, The Seagull IC 2177 and The Iris NGC 7023 a combination of either UHC or H-beta being I believe as filter of choice.  With the UHC I would also like to focus some attention on the Flame.

Thanks Iain and Gerry

Yes I may need to take another look at my EP's to help with some large nebs but I think the problem lies more in there are just so many things I'd like to see that its just a case of too many objects and not enough clear skies!

I'm steadily working through the RASC list which so far has shown me some amazing objects, I'm really enjoying it. When I'm done with the list next year maybe I'II start on the more challenging objects then. 

[YKSE]

Mike,

Fabulous work, lots of goodies, some restart

I'm still waiting for my first clear night DSO night for weeks, hopefully to do some catch-up.

[Piero]

It's an excellent report Mike! It seems a lot of fun!

Thanks for sharing!

[laudropb]

Very nice report. You achieved a lot and must be very happy. Thanks for posting.

[callisto]

Thanks for sharing your report, I felt like I was observing with you 

Mark.

[Stu]

Nice one Mike, great to hear the story behind the sketches if you see what I mean

One slight question. Why do you think you managed the Bubble on the second attempt when conditions were worse? Not quite in the right spot first time or something else?

[Mike73]

Nice one Mike, great to hear the story behind the sketches if you see what I mean

One slight question. Why do you think you managed the Bubble on the second attempt when conditions were worse? Not quite in the right spot first time or something else?

Thanks Stu.

On the 2nd I had everything going for me, dark skies and excellent transparency. I should of easily spotted at least a fuzzy patch with my low power EP with M52 in the FoV (1.2˚) at the same time...But I didn't!? I really cant figure that one out??

I'm really stumped as to what happened that night? 

[Stu]

Thanks Stu.

On the 2nd I had everything going for me, dark skies and excellent transparency. I should of easily spotted at least a fuzzy patch with my low power EP with M52 in the FoV (1.2˚) at the same time...But I didn't!? I really cant figure that one out??

I'm really stumped as to what happened that night?

Strange isn't it. I had a similar thing down in Devon on two apparently similar nights. First night the North America Nebula was nowhere to be seen, second night with skies slightly brighter there it was, bold as brass! No idea why

[mapstar]

Nice viewing report Mike

Damian

[niallk]

Great report!