My observing target list

[RobertI]

Although I have plenty of observing resources (too many in some ways), I lack single place where I can list potential targets and record the excellent suggestions I regularly find on SGL (for example, the recent excellent posts by @cotterless45). So I decided to compile a list of targets visible in a 4” scope in a notebook, with a page for each constellation. My main sources in compiling the lists are Interstellarum for the main DSOs and “A Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects” (Mike Inglis) for doubles, triples and carbon stars. The lists are coming on slowly, sometimes a page is almost not enough, but so far it is proving very useful and quite fun to do. Happy to share as I complete them, if people think they are useful. 
 

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by RobertI

[mikeDnight]

That's a substantial list Rob. Have you observed all these targets so far?  

[RobertI]

36 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

That's a substantial list Rob. Have you observed all these targets so far?  

I’ve probably only observed about a third of each list so far, I’m hoping the completed notebook of all 50 odd constellations will keep me going for a while!! Just shows you what can be seen with a 4” scope. 

[Nik271]

I noticed you have the double Tau Geminorum on your list. Splitting this one will be very tough, since the magnitude difference is more than 6 and the stars are so close together. It was first spotted by Burnham in 1881 and he had access to some big refractors.   Here are two other famous doubles in Gemini for small refractors: Castor ( Alpha Gem ) and Wasat ( Delta Gem), both are wonderful targets for a four inch scope!

[RobertI]

51 minutes ago, Nik271 said:

I noticed you have the double Tau Geminorum on your list. Splitting this one will be very tough, since the magnitude difference is more than 6 and the stars are so close together. It was first spotted by Burnham in 1881 and he had access to some big refractors.   Here are two other famous doubles in Gemini for small refractors: Castor ( Alpha Gem ) and Wasat ( Delta Gem), both are wonderful targets for a four inch scope!

Thanks Nik! That’s perfect, not sure how I forgot Castor, I will update the list. Good spot with Tau Tauri, that star is actually on the list because it’s an (almost) carbon star with an interesting colour (hence the “CS” category) - but when I looked it up, I saw it was also a double, but you’re right, probably not one for the 4” category, I’ll leave it on the list for its colour though. 👍

Edited December 28, 2022 by RobertI

[Nik271]

I see, if carbon stars is what you are after there are some more carbon stars in Gemini, e.g. TU Gem is 2 degrees north of M35 and NQ Gem is 2.5 degrees east of Kappa Gem. Both vary around mag 7-8, which is relatively bright for carbon stars.

And in Taurus there is Y Tau (mag 6-9) which is 2 degrees west of Zeta Tau.

[RobertI]

Thanks Nik. Already I am seeing some benefits in sharing the lists! 

Edited December 29, 2022 by RobertI

[jjohnson3803]

I started compiling some lists from different sources, but I'm lazy so I've been using the object lists in the "Bright Star Atlas" for my small refractors.  Probably not the best of the best lists, but plenty of objects to try.

[Skipjack]

On 28/12/2022 at 19:07, RobertI said:

Although I have plenty of observing resources (too many in some ways), I lack single place where I can list potential targets and record the excellent suggestions I regularly find on SGL (for example, the recent excellent posts by @cotterless45). So I decided to compile a list of targets visible in a 4” scope in a notebook, with a page for each constellation. My main sources in compiling the lists are Interstellarum for the main DSOs and “A Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects” (Mike Inglis) for doubles, triples and carbon stars. The lists are coming on slowly, sometimes a page is almost not enough, but so far it is proving very useful and quite fun to do. Happy to share as I complete them, if people think they are useful. 
 

 

Great way to keep logs! Isn't handwritten lists much more appealing than computer generated lists? Good work and clear skies.

[Jiggy 67]

2 hours ago, Skipjack said:

Great way to keep logs! Isn't handwritten lists much more appealing than computer generated lists? Good work and clear skies.

I don't know, I think the electronic version can be good fun as well........

Screenshot 2023-01-24 at 18.06.59.pdf

[Agerskov]

Great lists, Rob.

But I can't dechiffer the open cluster in line 6 on the Taurus list.

Thanks in advance

[Pixies]

I think it's "alessi teutsch 10"

[RobertI]

On 07/05/2023 at 12:46, Agerskov said:

Great lists, Rob.

But I can't dechiffer the open cluster in line 6 on the Taurus list.

Thanks in advance

@Pixies is correct, it’s shown in Interstellarum as visible in a 4” but SkySafari lists magnitude as unknown. Haven’t tried it myself yet - one for the winter I think.