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mdstuart

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Posts posted by mdstuart

  1. After what seems like weeks of cloud, gaps appeared and the moon was out of the way so I decided to get out the 20 inch dob.

    The stars were nice and sharp during collimation, a good sign.

    The session was cut short but cloud moving in again but I did manage to observe another Markarian galaxy Mrk207/ngc 4384. It is 130 million  light years away and is a visual mag 13 object.

    Here is my record.

    Screenshot_20230219-114420_Photos.thumb.jpg.196bec25436bb65e98013c0d57863ad4.jpg

    The galaxy was obvious with averted vision. Small but made a pleasing triangle with the two stars nearby.

    Here is a couple of images from the Internet. The first is from the hubble space telescope archives. Lots going on !

    600px-Ngc4384-hst-606.png.77055381c7b49bf5e35289d6bb4ba32b.png

    This is an image that roughly aligns with my drawing.

    Screenshot_20230219-115332_Chrome2.jpg.70fef9049f35c607a7d9546f8c0cdff1.jpg

    So why not try for yourself using this chart as a guide and report back.

    Screenshot_20230219-115553_Gallery.jpg.e752cc52235ee0ad4c8c60d2bfac5303.jpg

    Go on, add this to your target list visually, eaa or to image, would love to hear how you get on.

    Mark

     

     

     

    • Like 6
  2. I waited and waited for it to rise in the North last night. 

    Finally I could just see it in 15 x 70 binoculars but it was very faint. About mag 7/8.

    Got the 8 inch dob on it. Now I could see it. No sign of a tail but good to have a good view of it.

    I am sure it was tough partly due to the low 7% altitude and it will get easier as it gets higher and you won't have to wait until after midnight to see it!

    Mark

    • Like 6
  3. Finally a clear night with no moon.

    Set up the 20 inch dob. Quick laser collimation and I was off.

    Tonight the key target was a couple of galaxies in Camelopardalis. Nicely placed towards the North. Markarian 11 and 12 are both about 170 million light years away. I like to try Markarian objects as they tend have active/bright cores and these two lived up to expectation. 

    Markarian 11 was the brightest. I could see this galaxy in the 10mm eyepiece with direct vision. Markarian 12 needed averted vision  but was not difficult to pick out.

    What is special is to find such a great pair of galaxies (Mrk 11 is mag 12 so pretty bright) that are not even on the ngc database. Even Owen at the Webb Society has not included them in his galaxy of the month column...yet.

    Here is the DSS image. Mrk12 is on the left. I had to search long and hard to find anything online about this pair so now I am raising their profile.

    Screenshot_20221129-192236_Chrome.thumb.jpg.e35a2b0d9d9ebc6d074b50a0dd51fe63.jpg

     

    I think that Mrk 12 should be possible in a 6 inch dob so let me know if you can spot it.

    You need a chart? OK here you go.

    Screenshot_20221129-194344_Photos.thumb.jpg.0da6aa291b9061145b606076d42e8fc1.jpg

     

     

     

    • Like 13
  4. On holiday in Madeira with my trusty 8x30 binoculars.

    Scanning the southern extremes as you do.

    Looking at Grus. Spotted an awesome field of  view. A double double. Here they are on a map.

    18352889_Screenshot_20221108-211851_SkySafariPro2.jpg.28c78dae98395ef102d218dfd1404932.jpg

    Of course I am trying to spot the silver coin galaxy as well but the full moon and light pollution are not helping. I can only get to mag 7 at the moment with the bins but will try again tonight.

    Mark

    • Like 12
  5. Stunning sky this evening after the clouds cleared.

    Sat down using my orion 8 inch dob. Crisp views as always.

    Started with ngc 7332 in Pegasus. Easy object tonight but could not pick out its friend ngc 7339. 

    Managed to see both of the eyes staring at me (ngc 7619 / 7626).

    Had a look at ngc 7814 which was a lovely oval.

    Then moved left to Aries. ngc 772 was obvious as a wisp in amongst the stars.

    Now let's try ngc 891. This can be tough even in my large dob. Well blow me away it was fairly obvious even though very low in surface brightness.

    Finished off with a look at Jupiter. Four cloud bands visible with some band markings coming and going.

    Enjoyable few hours.

    Mark

    • Like 11
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