#51 Aquila, Delphinus and Sagitta: Deep Sky Plans

Aquila is an odd constellation--it is right smack in the Milky Way, has 3 bright stars that make it one of the easiest constellations to identify, yet it lacks a real showpiece deep sky object.  Among its 37 NGC and IC objects, there is no Messier object, nor even a great object to show to newbies.  However, that is not to say that lesser treasures cannot be found here.  The experienced deep sky observer knows that while throngs of telescopes are being pointed at the big, showy objects of summer, there are a few of us who appreciate going off the beaten path just as much.  Many objects in Aquila are off the beaten path.  

Here is the NGC breakdown for AQUILA:

11 open clusters

02 globular clusters

11 planetary nebulae, including one from the IC

13 galaxies, including 2 from the IC

Here is the breakdown for other catalogues that I am interested in observing with a 12" scope:

08 open clusters

01 galaxy

I am also returning to view several double and triple stars that I enjoyed with the 8", as well as attempting a few that I could not find back in the day, or could not split.  My list includes 16 doubles and/or triples along with 2 variables.  While I have already had a good start on observing the Aquila project list, it is only about 30% complete at present.

DELPHINUS
There are 24 NGC/IC objects here:
01 open cluster
02 globular clusters
02 planetary nebulae
19 galaxies, including 2 ICs.
There is 1 open cluster from another catalogue.
I will also pay visits to 6 double stars and a variable.

SAGITTA
There are 5 NGC/IC objects, including M 71.
01 open cluster
01 globular cluster
03 planetary nebulae, including one from the IC
There are 5 open clusters and 2 globulars from other catalogs.
I am also seeking 4 doubles and a variable.

Since forming these plans earlier in the spring, I have decided to begin chipping away at Sagittarius, but only when southern skies are exceptionally good.  Details of this constellation will form a separate blog entry.  I also have a few objects left to complete in Cassiopeia before beginning Cepheus, my main autumn constellation.
Mapman Mike

#50 Summer Observing Plans, 2014

With spring galaxy season officially ended (for me it finally ended last night, when I logged a tiny, faint one in Bootes), it is time to bring on the summer milky way and all of the awesome areas of sky contained within. Last summer I enjoyed quite a lot of clear skies, and was able to begin and finish detailed deep sky observations of Lyra and Cygnus, as well as nearly finish Cassiopeia.  The summer constellations are "up there" a lot longer than those of any other season, thanks to the increasing level of darkness creeping back into our lives.  Combined with generally nicer weather, many of us spend entire nights observing in July, August, and September.  I have already observed most of the summer sky with my previous 8" scope, and I am now having another go with my 12".

My summer plans include observing all of the NGC and IC objects in Aquila, Delphinus, and Sagitta, and also getting a start in Sagittarius.  Hundreds of deep sky objects await, many of them completely new to me.  I have also included all of the open clusters from other catalogs shown on Uranometria 2000, as well as the occasional globular cluster and planetary nebula.  My main goal, however, is the NGC list.  Double stars are not forgotten, as I will go back and review some of the best ones seen previously, along with several I could not split with the 8", or could not find back in the day.  Refer to my earliest blogs for exactly how I go about setting up my observing lists. It's an old-fashioned way, but keeps me entertained for hours on cloudy nights and weekends.

I've already had a good start in Aquila, logging four open clusters last night, including 6709.  There are also three (less impressive) clusters in the immediate vicinity.  However, by star hopping to them from 6709 I got to see a lot of lovely star fields, and got to know another small part of the sky very well.  On previous nights I viewed oc 6755 and 6756, along with other open clusters, a few globulars and planetaries, a variable star and a double.  Since I spent April, May and June hunting down (mostly) faint galaxies, it is pure joy to behold the wonders of the Milky Way once again.  I especially like viewing open clusters, and the 12" has revealed them to me in ways only that level of aperture could.  6709, for example, is a minor treasure in my scope, and I spent a very long time last night enjoying the sight.  I began at 43x, and slowly worked my way up to 200x, stopping off for lengthy views at 60x, 83x, 100x, 125x, 150x, and 187x.  Each view gave a new perspective, and it was like arriving amidst the cluster in a spaceship, having begun some distance away. Once deep inside the cluster, I pulled away again and enjoyed low power views.  Believe me, this is a fun way to spend a night!  Afterwards, once the notes are in the logbook, I go back and compare what I saw now with what I saw years ago with the 8".

My wife and observing partner, Deb, has her own method of tracking down deep sky objects.  Deb now has about a year of solo observing under her belt, after assisting me with sketches at the eyepiece for decades.  She started with our Astroscan 4 1/4" RFT, locating all of the Messier objects to boost her driving and hunting skills. Once she had completed that project, she upgraded to an Orion Starblast 6".  That is one fine little telescope, with some of the sharpest views of stars and deep sky objects I have ever seen.  It more than holds its own against all the super expensive 5" refractors that come out to the observatory to observe. It's only drawback is that it does not accept 2" eyepieces. 

Right now Deb is completing her NGC globular cluster project.  Previous to this she took on Spring galaxies. Her next project, just currently getting underway, is finding open clusters within a specific size and magnitude. Basically she observes a large selection of objects in one category (galaxy, open, or globular cluster) and does a comparative study.  She observes each object with the same three eyepieces, comparing size, brightness and ease of finding and seeing the object.  So she is now an expert observer of galaxies and globular clusters using a 6" reflector.

Because we travel to the observatory in one vehicle, and because my 12" scope takes up a lot of the cargo room, Deb is limited to a 6" aperture, though she is often more than happy to take a peek through the 12". Sometimes we have fun by observing the same object at the same time in both scopes, comparing the views.

As always, I am interested in hearing about other observing methods.  Just remember to have a peek at what else may lie around that deep sky object you are looking at, especially if it lies in the Milky Way.  Star chains, small but colourful double stars, tiny asterisms... it's fun to be surprised by uncateloged, undiscovered wonders, too. Happy summer observing!

Mapman Mike

#49 Summary # 5: June 2014

The hazy skies of June were not just in our area of the Great Lakes, but were reported far and wide.  Despite forecasts of "mainly clear" and "clear," high, thick hazy clouds hampered many a night.  More than a few 90 minute return drives to the observatory were either mostly wasted or completely wasted.  We managed to snag a few objects here and there, until finally our big break came.  Not until the moon was just approaching first quarter did we get a pair of very fine nights in a row.  Luckily we were able to stay late those nights, watching the moon set after midnight both nights.  Without those two nights it would have been a slim report.

I am happy to report, however, that 12.5 hours of observing were logged in June (and very early July), with 23 new NGC/IC objects making it into my logbook.  5 new objects from other catalogues were also seen, as well as 3 NGC objects viewed previously with the 8" scope.  Many of the objects were faint galaxies, and some were very poor viewing indeed.  However, I also logged a couple of planetaries, globulars, and an open cluster.

BOOTES

Work continues here, though I will only mention the best objects. 

eg 5529:  6'.2 x 0'.9: V. 11.5; SB 13.5:  This galaxy becomes more impressive the more you look at it.  I spent about 40 minutes enjoying this one, along with 2 very, very faint companions (eg 5527 and eg M+6-31-87).  Best at 150x using averted vision.

eg 5529, Sky View Images

eg 5544:  1'.1 x 1':  V. 13; SB 13:  Though faint, I had no trouble seeing this pair.  My first night  

eg 5545:  1' x 0'.3:  V. 14.1; SB 12.7) I did not know how far apart they were, and thought I had not seen 5545.  What I saw was a pear-shaped galaxy, quite long, with the wide end preceding the narrow one.  Once home I found a photo and realized I had been looking at both galaxies, which are interacting!  A fun pair, recommended with a great sky.

eg 5544, 5545 Skyview Images

eg 5557:  2'.4 x 1'.9:  V. 11; SB 12.6:  Seen easily, even through ever-thickening haze the first time.  A classic "fried egg" galaxy, with a slightly oval shape, a brilliant core, a large, bright area surrounding the core, and a much smaller area of fainter haze around that.  A 6" will show it easily.

eg 5596:  1'.1 x 0'.8:  V. 13.6; SB 13.3:  Round to oval galaxies are much easier to see than the "slash" type, or elliptical ones.  Stellar core was noted at 200x.  View hampered by a close 7 mag. star, so high power helps get it out of the field.

Other galaxies seen this month in Bootes were:  5499, 5515, 5524, 5527, 5572, 5616, eg M+6-31-87.

HERCULES

All work here was in Abell 2197 and immediate vicinity.

eg 6150:  1'.3 x 0'.5:  V. 14; SB 13.6:  Located at 100x.  Very elongated, but a wide middle.  Best at 200x.

eg 6160:  1'.8 x 1'.5:  V. 13.2; SB 14.3:  Seen at 100x (after moonset).  Stellar core at 150x.

eg 6173:  1'.9 x 1'.4:  V 12.1; SB 13.2:  The brightest galaxy in Abell 2157, but hampered by a nearby 7 mag. star.  Slightly oval with a notably large, bright middle.

Other galaxies seen this month in or near Abell 2157 were: 6138, 6141, 6174, 6175, 6180, 6184, 6131 (Corona Borealis), I. 4610, U 10407, U 10415.  The last two are very close and are not a difficult pair.

AQUILA

My new summer constellation has begun.

oc 6735:   8'; 35*s, B* mag. 12:  My first new cluster since Monoceros in March, and I didn't have to freeze myself to view it!  Pleasantly surprised, even at 60x.  A lovely and busy cluster of faint stars surround a bright yellow star.  Best at 100x.  At 125x I counted over 50 stars.  Also viewed in Deb's 6", where it showed less stars but still looked like a cluster.

V:  Variable star V is a beautiful orange star.

15:  A bright and wide double star, yellow and lavender.  A beauty!

gc 6760:  9'.6:  V. 9; B* 15.6:  This globular is a glowing ball of unresolved stars, but after viewing so many faint galaxies I didn't care!  It was wonderful!  Despite appearing as if it will resolve at any moment, it doesn't.  However, at 200x and 250x several stars outside the core pop into view.

Also viewed in Aquila this month:  pn 6741, gc 6749 (more on this one at a later date).

Mapman Mike