21 Feb 2024, Macclesfield

[Richard N]

Rather poor conditions with Moon and cloud but observed some nice objects. Enjoyed BOCL2164.

Also liked this warped galaxy NGC4656

Challenge target was Andromeda's Parachute - a quadruple lensed quasar. Too small to resolve with my system but nice to find anyway.

 

Edited February 22 by Richard N

[M40]

Just added ngc4656 to my target list 👍 together with ngc4631 which is right next door to it. Out of interest, what telescope and camera did you use as I do like looking to see what has been achieved with what. All the best.

[PeterC65]

NGC4656 and NGC4631 added to by todo list too!

[Richard N]

Thanks! I'm using an 80mm ED (SVBony 503. Altair Astro Mono camera (290M). I would hasten to add that I'm not an astrophotographer so my only criteria for images is that they are "good enough for me". I look at things because they are interesting to me - not necessarily visually appealing.

[M40]

5 minutes ago, Richard N said:

Thanks! I'm using an 80mm ED (SVBony 503. Altair Astro Mono camera (290M). I would hasten to add that I'm not an astrophotographer so my only criteria for images is that they are "good enough for me". I look at things because they are interesting to me - not necessarily visually appealing.

With you there, exactly why I like eeva.

You have given me a few challenges with your list, it took me a while to find "andromeda's parachute" but I cant find bocl2164. Is it known as anything else?

[Richard N]

26 minutes ago, M40 said:

With you there, exactly why I like eeva.

You have given me a few challenges with your list, it took me a while to find "andromeda's parachute" but I cant find bocl2164. Is it known as anything else?

BOCL is the Berkeley Open Cluster Catalog

[PeterC65]

I'm struggling to find 2164 in the Berkely Catalog. According to this website there are only 104 objects listed. Where did you get the BOCL 2164 reference?

Some of the Berkely objects listed in the website look like they might be interesting for widefield EAA.

[Martin Meredith]

Actually, most of the Berkeley clusters are pretty small (nearly all are under 16 arcmin). They make fantastic EAA targets but they require decent total exposures. I started a thread some time ago about my EAA observations of these clusters. It would be great to see some further observations with different kit.

 

 

[M40]

Definately haven't got enough life or clear skies to look at everything in eaa 🤣 

[PeterC65]

44 minutes ago, Martin Meredith said:

Actually, most of the Berkeley clusters are pretty small (nearly all are under 16 arcmin). They make fantastic EAA targets but they require decent total exposures. I started a thread some time ago about my EAA observations of these clusters. It would be great to see some further observations with different kit.

Ah yes, I see. I was just looking at the wider star fields around Be 1 and 2.