Observing Challenges

[gliderpilot]

I managed to fing my latest bête noir, NGC891 an edge on spiral galaxy in andromeda on Monday night. Prior to 891, I spent considerable effort hunting for the Veil nebula before I realised the value of filters.

What objects have you finally hunted down - and I presume enjoyed all the more after the chase?

Mark

ps I won't include generic clear skies despite this prolonged period of poor weather.

[kniclander]

neptune but never been quite sure whether I saw it or not:icon_scratch:

[pvaz]

A clear sky!

[acey]

During last new Moon I managed Horsehead for the first time (with 12" + UHC filter) after many failed attempts with 8". Will be trying again when Moon and weather permit.

NGC891 and Veil are a lot prettier.

Thing with Neptune is to observe over several nights - if it moves then you've got it.

[Breakintheclouds]

Neptune's easy with a goto ;o)

[Talitha]

Mine was finally detecting Holmberg II (Arp 268) in Ursa Major with the 8" SCT. It's a magnitude 11.2 with a low surface brightness and needed a nearly transparent sky, which only happens a few times a year here.

[acey]

Wow that's impressive! I have the brightest Arps on my to-do list for the 12-inch in the coming year but Holmberg II isn't included in An Arp Sampler or Arp Galaxies in the Revised Shapley-Ames Catalog. But if you've managed it with an 8-inch then that's definitely a challenge I need to take up.

After the Horsehead my top bete noir is now Barnard's Galaxy, which I've tried with every instrument I've owned, and never managed a definite sighting. Latitude is a problem but I'm hoping the 12-inch might do it.

[Talitha]

Thanks, i'd read somewhere that it was the brightest of the Holmbergs and decided to try. Whenever the conditions looked like they might cooperate i gave it my best, and finally nailed it during the third winter of trying. It was extremely faint but i could avertedly see it dancing around when i tapped the OTA.

Best of luck to you with Barnard's, i hope you get it.

[yeti monster]

To squirrel away the money for my next scope & mount............