'RASC Finest NGCs' sketches

[Mike73]

These are lovely made me pick up my sketch pad again after a while off. Do you use any fixative after completing the sketch? I find mine smudge sometimes.

No I don't use any fixatives these days, I just take a photo next day to keep as a decent copy. I don't find they smudge too much anyway.

[Mike73]

NGC 869 / NGC 884

Constellation - Perseus

Open Cluster

Distance 6.8Kly + 9.6Kly

Mag 6.3 + 5.3

Date 30/9/15

Transparency 5/10

SQM 19.5

Telescope - 12" f/4.5

EP - ES 24mm 82˚

Sketch notes -

Even from home with moderate light pollution and average transparency the Double Cluster still filled the FoV. I think its been said many times before but observing it really is like seeing diamonds on black velvet!

The last time I saw it was through my 16" in dark skies where it really is almost overwhelming to sketch, just so many stars, almost too many to accurately plot. Sketching it from home was the easier option but still very enjoyable.

[JamesF]

Very nice, Mike

James

[Mike73]

NGC 6210

Constellation - Hercules

Planetary Nebula

Distance 6500Ly

Mag 8.8

Date - 1/10/15

Transparency 7/10

SQM 20.8

Telescope 12" f/5.3

EP - 6.5mm Baader Morpheus x245 (FoV .18')

Filter - Astronomik OIII

Sketch notes -

Very small PN even at x245, the only way to could distinguish it from the nearby stars was it had a fuzzy glow instead of sharp pin points of light.

I used a OIII filter to try and make it stand out against the background stars more than improve contrast to see detail but due to its size I don't think it would make much difference filtered or not.

Its not a show stopper but worth a look just for the challenge.

[Mike73]

NGC 5907

Constellation - Draco

Spiral galaxy

Distance 44 Mly

Mag 10.3

Date 1/10/15

Transparency 7/10

SQM 21.3

Telescope 12" f/5.3

EP 9mm Baader Morpheus x177 (FoV 25')

Sketch notes-

Small almost edge on spiral galaxy with very few background stars.

Occasionally appeared to have a mottled appearance but was sure enough of this to record it in the sketch.

[Mike73]

NGC 7000

Constellation - Cygnus

Emission nebula

Distance 2600ly

Mag 4

Date 1/10/15

Transparency 9/10

SQM 21.4

Telescope - 9x50 finder

Astronomik OIII filter

Sketch notes -

As everyone knows the NA Nebula is a huge object, way too big for my 1600mm f/l telescope even with the widest EP.

It was just visible to the naked eye, using a OIII filter increased its presence but it wasn't until I popped that filter onto of my finder that the small increase in magnification gave me the best view.

In a race against the rising moonlight I turned all my lights off and got properly dark adapted and then the fainter IC 5070 (Pelican nebula) glowed but was very faint.

[John]

Lovely sketches and notes Mike

It's great to see you doing these again. It's going to be very interesting comparing your observations with mine as we have very nearly identical 12" F/5.3 scopes !

[Mike73]

Thanks John

It was the 12"'s maiden trip to a dark site last night and she performed very well.

Yes it will be interesting to compare observations, I'm really looking forward to the Mars and Jupiter oppositions.

[JamesF]

That NAN sketch is lovely Mike.

James

[Mike73]

That NAN sketch is lovely Mike.

James

Thanks James.

I was going to sketch it just by eye with a OIII filter but then had a brainwave and just sat the filter on top of the finder which worked a lot better!

[scarp15]

Good sketch Mike and canny idea to use the finder and OIII filter to attain that view. I have enjoyed observing this recently on two occasions at dark locations with my 8" scope. Hope to get another crack at it in two weeks time at Kielder. 

[Mike73]

NGC 40

Constellation - Cepheus

Planetary nebula

Distance 2700 ly

Mag 10.6

Date 2/10/15

Transparency 7/10

SQM 21.2

Telescope 12" f/5.3

EP 6mm Baader Morpheus x245 (TFoV 18')

Astronomik OIII

Sketch notes -

Fairly small at x245, a OIII help show an almost rectangular shape, the two longest sides appeared slightly brighter. I had a couple glimpses of an outer halo, maybe a UHC type filter would show this better?

[Mike73]

NGC 1491

Constellation - Perseus

Emission nebula

Date 2/10/15

Transparency 7/10

SQM 21.6

Telescope 12" f/5.3

EP 14mm Baader Morpheus x114 (TFoV 4')

Astronomik OIII

Sketch notes -

Odd emission nebula with little shape or structure to it, wider on the side opposite the 'centre' star.

Another object where I wish I had a UHC over the OIII.

[Mike73]

NGC 281

Constellation - Cassiopeia

Emission nebula

Distance 4100 ly

Mag 7.4

Date 2/10/15

Transparency 7/10

SQM 21.6

Telescope 12" f/5.3

EP 24mm ES x66 (TFoV 1.2˚)

Sketch notes -

At first glance the central mouth area was most obvious with a small group of stars inside just about to get swallowed up. The longer I observed it the more nebulosity became visible until I could see two 'corners of the almost triangle shape nebula stretch quite far out from the main body.

Interesting nebula that is worth another visit soon.

[estwing]

cracking sketches mate....

[Mike73]

NGC 6888

Constellation - Cygnus

Emission nebula

Distance 5400 Ly

Mag 7.4

Date 7/10/15

Transparency 5/10

SQM 21.2

Telescope 12" f/5.3 OOUK

EP 14mm Delos x114 (TFoV 38')

Filter - DGM NPB

Sketch notes -

Average transparency making detail very hard to see.

The central spike was very hard to see, more of a bump than the spike like I have seen in the past. In the past its always reminded me of a Euro € sign but it was more of an actual crescent shape last night.

The lower edge was thicker and brighter.

I tried both OIII and NPB filters but I preferred the NPB, maybe in better transparency the dimmer but more contrasty OIII would have been better?

[Mike73]

NGC 6946

Constellation - Cygnus

Spiral galaxy

Distance 20MLy

Mag 8.8

Date 8/10/15

Transparency 4/10

SQM 21.2

Telescope 12" f/5.3 OOUK

EP 10mm Delos x159 TFoV 27'

Sketch notes -

Lovely face on spiral galaxy, kinda reminds me of M33 but easier to observe.

Transparency was fairly poor, at first all I could see was an elongated smudge but during patches of clear skies the first two upper and lower arms came into view. Changing from a 14mm to 10mm with 1.9mm exit pupil really helped making those arms more prominent and two smaller side arms were revealed.

Total observing time was around 30minutes.

[scarp15]

Good set of sketches and background info Mike. I do not think that I have looked for NGC 6946 so will include in my listing. NGC 281 is another object I wish to observe, will make a reference to OIII for this. 

[Mike73]

Good set of sketches and background info Mike. I do not think that I have looked for NGC 6946 so will include in my listing. NGC 281 is another object I wish to observe, will make a reference to OIII for this. 

Thank you Iain.

Good notes definitely help alongside a sketch, my problem is the more I enjoy an object the more I have to say about it, less interesting ones get less words.

This RASC list really is full of great objects though. If you need something to run alongside the challenging objects you've recently been going for then I can completely recommend it.

[John]

Superb notes and sketches Mike

I've observed some of these recently but sketching them certainly helps concentrate the mind better and the details seem to follow.

[estwing]

damn fine results there in less than pleasing conditions,hats off to you sir..

[mariosi]

Excellent job re Mike!

Thanks

Marios

[Mike73]

NGC 6939

Constellation - Cepheus

Open Cluster

Distance 5900 Ly

Mag 7.8

Date 12/10/15

Transparency 6/10

SQM 19.8

Telescope 12" f/5.3

EP 14mm Delos x114 (TFoV 38')

Sketch notes

Faint grouping of stars which looks far more impressive when framed with a low power EP and including the nearby NGC 4946 Fireworks galaxy from a dark site.

[Mike73]

Nice picture of the above cluster and galaxy here - http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/254798-fireworks-galaxy-ngc-6946/

[Piero]

Amazing thread this one! Surely one of the best. 

Congratulations for your sketches. A great way to remember a session and an opportunity for us to see what can be seen with a medium-large aperture under a dark sky. 

Thanks for sharing 

Piero