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NGC 1499 California Nebula seen at last + a lot more

Mark at Beaufort

By Mark at Beaufort
in Observing - Deep Sky

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Mark at Beaufort

Mark at Beaufort

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What a fantastic night with  my sky clear to the horizon -  minus 30 Dec (Fomalhaut easily visible).  I set up the Orion VX8 on the SkyTee 2 mount and gave a really good outing to the Explore Scientific EPs especially the 24mm 68 degree and 6.7mm 82 degree - both new over the past few months.

I started with M11 and then moved over to M16 (Eagle) and M17 (Swan). With M17 I used both the Astronomik O-III and the Lumicon UHC both of which gave a huge improvement. I then tested out the 6.7mm on M75 and M30 which gave a sharp view of the Glob but also the FOV was sharp to the edge in the f4.5 scope.

I was also using the Vixen 2.1 x42 binos to view the delights of Aquarius - these binos are wonderful for viewing whole constellations. Anyway viewed the Helix Neb (NGC 7293) again using both the Astronomik and Lumicon filters - the Nebula was so clear. Whilst in the area I viewed the galaxy NGC 7606 easily found above the 3 stars of Psi.

With Cygnus overhead I put the Astronomik O-III into the ES 24mm 68 degree and viewed both parts of the Veil Neb and the North American Neb - again all items so clear..

By now Cetus and Sculptor were both nicely positioned so I started with NGC 253 (this galaxy must be wonderful from the Southern Hemisphere). With the horizon so clear I moved down to the Glob NGC 288 and switched between the ES EPs 14mm, 8.8mm, 6.7mm and 4.7mm to get the best view - although faint you could easily tell it was a Glob. For a long time I have had a problem viewing NGC 247 but after producing a detailed map from Stellarium I was able to detect this faint galaxy using averted viewing.

Moving across I had a nice view of M33 using the ES 18mm and then dropped down to see NGC 772 in Aries. The sky was so transparent I decided to try and view NGC The California Neb - I have tried so many times with different scopes and filters including a Thiousand Oaks H.Beta but without success. Well last night I put the Lumicon UHC into the ES 24mm 68 degree and went looking. The filter increased the contrast so that I could make out the edges of the Nebula - I knew the star patterns so I could see the difference the filter made so I now believe I have seen the California Neb.

I finish the night viewing NGC 891 and found that the 8.8mm gave me the best view.

This session really shows the quality of the Orion VX8 and also the Explore Scientific EPs.

At 6pm I viewed Venus, Mars and Jupiter with the 15x70 binos - unfortunately houses were in the way and stopped me seeing Mercury.

But what a night :smiley:

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Mark at Beaufort

Mark at Beaufort

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Mike I live on the edge of Hereford and my east/west horizon looks out to rural Herefordshire. I live close to the Lucksall Site used for the SGL star parties so those members who have been to these star parties will know the quality of the skies. I once viewed the Horsehead from Lucksall although it was with a 16" scope.

So to view some of these objects with an 8" scope with a good quality mirror I am still pleased. I still fancy an Orion VX12L :smiley:

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