Jump to content

NLCbanner2024.jpg.2478be509670e60c2d6efd04834b8b47.jpg

Third big dob session Christmas eve present of clear skies.


webboid

Recommended Posts

I went to my local astro club dark sky site with my 18" dob optimistic as ever. This was my 90th observing session that was longer than 2 hours this year. Arriving at 6 to scan for comet 15P with my 4" refractor but no luck. Dob then speedily set up & all dew heater electrics functioning. The sky did not appear to be so great. The Milkyway was quite faint & horizon skyglow was all around, extending higher than I normally perceive.

At home Cetus is below my roof so I had to have a look before starting my plan. M77 has only been seen in smaller scopes so nice to see a bright core & fading halo. Nearby I spotted very faint NGC 1055 & faint 1087. Others tempted me but I stuck with my plan. So off to Mirach to hop to NGC 507. The atlas suggested many galaxies here but I definitely saw 507 & 494. As I scanned around some hints of others but not identified. Next I was off to the Perseus cluster. Again there were hints of faint fuzzies but definitely saw NGC 1275, 1272 & 1278. I'm convinced I should see more if the transparency was good. 

I then took an eye break by visiting  some easier stuff. Looking at M42 tonight I saw E star for the first in the trapezium.  But nebulosity in both M42 & M78 were not as good as 13 December. On to NGC 891. A dark lane along it's length was quite apparent but the background sky was quite grey even at 198x. Dissaponted I pressed on. 

First a look at NGC 1587 & 1589 in Taurus. A faint pair but failed to spot 1588 near 1587. On the way to Eridanus. This is a completely unfamiliar constellation so finding NGC 1535 was fun but the view was rewarding. Appearing bright with c/s visible & some hint of mottling. Then to NGC 1421 a very faint galaxy on the way to NGC 1407 & 1400, which were fairly bright. Alas 1300 was not found but also in the murk I suspected. 

As the south view was fairly good my final targets were unseen Messiers. I read that several of these should be naked eye from a dark sky but all needed to be hopped to. M48 was easiest to find. Obvious in the finder & a large cluster. M47 was more tricky as mag 5 stars near the cluster were not naked eye! Next was a gem M46 with embedded p/n NGC 2438. Lovely sight & p/n was quite obvious. M41 was also tracked down. I revisited M79 a somewhat resolved glob. Then M93 to bring my Messier count to 105. 

Lovejoy was apparently hidding in a distant low bank of cloud. So I shall have to wait till it is higher.

Flagging a bit & Milkyway almost invisible I had a look at M31,32 & 110, M81,82 & NGC 2903. Then I checked a few more galaxies in Leo. NGC 3190 & 3193, nice pair. NGC 3227 & 3226 another's nice close pair & finally Leo triplet. A view of Jupiter finished off a successful session around 12.30.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. Yes the views were not great but I was not alone in foregoing festivities to observe. Six other members were at the club enjoying the clearish sky. Love this hobby & looking forward to more galaxy hunting quests.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes really good

I don't normally get the scope out unless I can get at least 4 hours in.

I've been noting down how many full nights since the 1st of September I could viewed for at least 4 hours. Due to our weather the total is 11 pretty dire to be fair!

Just hope the weather is better next year as the big Dob won't get out much :-(

Damian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm only two & a half years observing but fanatical so grab every chance. My latest 18" is reasonably portable, which makes it worth while setting up for a few hours. But I will only use it from a dark sky location. Most of this year has been with the 12", very portable. So I will see how regularly the big dob gets out. 

I notice you are/ have made a big dob & hope you get the chance to exploit the aperture.  It's another world.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, just on with making my own and another and can't wait although at present I'm lacking a bit of motivation finishing the mirror off.

It will re-appear and I'll get it finished but more likely for next years Autumn/winter sessions 18" is a nice aperture and portability was a main concern for me.

Keep up with the viewing reports they're really interesting

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, just on with making my own and another and can't wait although at present I'm lacking a bit of motivation finishing the mirror off.

It will re-appear and I'll get it finished but more likely for next years Autumn/winter sessions 18" is a nice aperture and portability was a main concern for me.

Keep up with the viewing reports they're really interesting

Fortunately for me mine was made by someone else who loves building them for his own pleasure. I will continue posting reports & they may help with your motivation  :smiley:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.