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
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