The Olcott Project: Adventures with a 2" Telescope--Nights 9, 10, 11, 12
The small telescope project is alive and well, and I have now completed 2/3rds of my first goal of observing 60 objects. Space Eye is a 2" refractor from Vixen. It is quite a splendid little instrument, and it's helping me relive my early days as an amateur astronomer. However, I always used reflectors when growing up, first having a toy 3", then a Tasco 4.5", then an Edmund 8", and finally an Orion 12" Dob. There was one tiny refractor in my lineup. I purchased a 40 mm refractor from K-mart back in 1971, using it for two months until my Tasco scope arrived. However, Space Eye is my first true astronomical observing refractor, and I always enjoy using it when time permits. Here are two observations from March 11th.
Object #32: Messier 41: Mag. 4.5; 39'; 80 *s; Br. * mag. 8: From Olcott: "Also observe M 41. It is a superb group in a 3" telescope, and the red star near the center shows very clearly." It is also a pretty fine sight in a 2" scope, with a nice concentration of bright stars in the center, and others somewhat further out. 30x shows some haze behind the resolved stars, but 60x resolves most stars. About 40 members were counted, not including more distant stragglers. I spent a long time here enjoying the view.
http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenus/archives/images/2005/img2005011502_M41lgrev1.jpg
Object #33: Jupiter: This is the first planet I have observed with Space Eye, and probably the one best suited for it. This Spring, Jupiter is the planetary highlight. On my first visit I was looking through a fogged over objective lens. However, the planet was still sharp and bright. Two equatorial cloud belts were very dark and dramatic; quite spectacular, actually. The moons were easily seen, and provide beginners and experts alike a never-ending moving tableau. On a second night (with no fogging) I observed the north hemisphere to be darker. Two moons were nearly touching, but the scope resolved things well. I have not used more than 60x so far (it's been very cold, and switching eyepieces requires refocusing), but will go much higher as weather permits. Jupiter is a real showpiece for Space Eye.
Here are four objects seen on March 25th.
Object #34: Beta Monoceros: 4.6-5.0/07": Olcott class this a beautiful object. While a lovely
-5.3/10": double star at 30x, splitting B & C is a challenge, as they are only 3" apart! I was pretty certain of a split at 60x, but I had to confirm it with Deb's 6" scope. Lovely double, but a very challenging triple star.
Object #35: Messier 50: Mag. 5.9; 15'; 80 *s; Br. * Mag. 9: Olcott places the object on his maps of Monoceros and Canis Major, though does not discuss it. Smaller and dimmer than M 41, it nonetheless is a beautiful though faint cloud at 30x. It is compact and compressed, with perhaps a half dozen stars easily resolving over the haze. 60x resolves the cluster nicely, showing about 25 stars. Some haze is still evident in the background. It is tricky to locate, but ultimately worth it. A minor gem in Space Eye.
Object #36: Epsilon Monoceros: 4.5-6.5/13": Split at 30x, though seen beautifully at at 60x. It seems white and bluish to me. Olcott says Gold-Blue. The 6.5 mag. companion was like a tiny pinprick next to the brighter star.
Object #37: NGC 2244: Mag. 4.8; 30'; 100 *s; Br. * Mag. 7: Olcott says: "Note the cluster NGC 2244, visible to the unaided eye, and a fine sight in a field glass." This is the famous Rosette Nebula, though no nebula was seen tonight. This is one of the most easily identifiable clusters, nd it is lovely in a 2" scope. It resembles a number "6" on a die. The south two stars point north following to NGC oc 2252, barely discernible in the 2", though lovely in Deb's 6". Continue further on to Cr. 106, with its central dense knot of faint stars appearing like fine silver dust in Space Eye. A fun area to explore.
A single object was observed on the night of March 26th.
Object #38: Messier 48: Mag. 5.8; 30'; 80 *s; Br. * Mag 8: Olcott places the cluster on his Monoceros chart, but says nothing about it. It turns out to be a nice object for the 2" refractor. While there is lots of haze at 30x, several stars do resolve. 60x shows the full richness of M 48, which can take your breth away in a 6". A few dozen stars are resolved in Space Eye, many seen using averted vision and a perfect focus. This is a true wonder of the late winter sky!
The final pair of objects for this blog entry were seen on April 1st.
Object #39: Algieba (Gamma Leonis): 2.6-3.8/4": Olcott quotes Struve in his Field Book: "Finest double in the northern sky." Olcott himself calls it the telescopic feature of leo. It certainly is beautiful in the 6" and 12", and most likely in a 3", too. It is a challenge to resolve in the 2", and takes a practiced eye, steady seeing, perfect focus, and some patience. Comfortable seating helps, too. One star is deeper gold that the other, and one is noticeably bigger. A beautiful pair in Space Eye, but not a showpiece for the masses. I only used up to 60x, and will try a higher power next time.
Object #40a and 40b: Messier 65 and Messier 66: 65= 9'.8 x 2'.9; Vis. 9.3/SB 12.8. 66= 9'.1 x 4'.2; Vis. 8.9/SB 12.7: I easily located and saw two of the three members of the Leo Triplet. While I could not see the third member (NGC 3628), I did get a good glimpse of nearby eg 3593, which appeared round, faint and hazy, though not small. Both Messier galaxies were seen at 30x, and indeed they were not that good at 60x. I should have tried 40x. Next time. M 66 was noticeably rounder and brighter than M 65, which appeared very long and thin by comparison. They both were bright and conspicuous, with very bright middles. A nice catch for Space Eye, and worth showing to others!
Although there are a few more Spring objects I wish to view, I an anxiously awaiting summer, when I can dig into Sagittarius. I will likely expand my project up to 100 objects. Also, Saturn and Mars on on their way, and I have hopes of seeing a polar cap on Mars. So stay tuned.
Object #33: Jupiter: This is the first planet I have observed with Space Eye, and probably the one best suited for it. This Spring, Jupiter is the planetary highlight. On my first visit I was looking through a fogged over objective lens. However, the planet was still sharp and bright. Two equatorial cloud belts were very dark and dramatic; quite spectacular, actually. The moons were easily seen, and provide beginners and experts alike a never-ending moving tableau. On a second night (with no fogging) I observed the north hemisphere to be darker. Two moons were nearly touching, but the scope resolved things well. I have not used more than 60x so far (it's been very cold, and switching eyepieces requires refocusing), but will go much higher as weather permits. Jupiter is a real showpiece for Space Eye.
http://en.es-static.us/upl/2013/04/Jupiter-and-moons-io-europa-ganymede-callisto.jpg
Here are four objects seen on March 25th.
Object #34: Beta Monoceros: 4.6-5.0/07": Olcott class this a beautiful object. While a lovely
-5.3/10": double star at 30x, splitting B & C is a challenge, as they are only 3" apart! I was pretty certain of a split at 60x, but I had to confirm it with Deb's 6" scope. Lovely double, but a very challenging triple star.
http://web.utah.edu/astro/pics/paul/beta%20mon%20color%20352.jpg
Object #35: Messier 50: Mag. 5.9; 15'; 80 *s; Br. * Mag. 9: Olcott places the object on his maps of Monoceros and Canis Major, though does not discuss it. Smaller and dimmer than M 41, it nonetheless is a beautiful though faint cloud at 30x. It is compact and compressed, with perhaps a half dozen stars easily resolving over the haze. 60x resolves the cluster nicely, showing about 25 stars. Some haze is still evident in the background. It is tricky to locate, but ultimately worth it. A minor gem in Space Eye.
http://www.pictorobservatory.ca/images/m50-L_thumb.jpg
http://www.gabrielevanin.it/Eps%20Mon.jpg
Object #37: NGC 2244: Mag. 4.8; 30'; 100 *s; Br. * Mag. 7: Olcott says: "Note the cluster NGC 2244, visible to the unaided eye, and a fine sight in a field glass." This is the famous Rosette Nebula, though no nebula was seen tonight. This is one of the most easily identifiable clusters, nd it is lovely in a 2" scope. It resembles a number "6" on a die. The south two stars point north following to NGC oc 2252, barely discernible in the 2", though lovely in Deb's 6". Continue further on to Cr. 106, with its central dense knot of faint stars appearing like fine silver dust in Space Eye. A fun area to explore.
http://www.celestronimages.com/data/media/5/NGC2244a.jpg
A single object was observed on the night of March 26th.
Object #38: Messier 48: Mag. 5.8; 30'; 80 *s; Br. * Mag 8: Olcott places the cluster on his Monoceros chart, but says nothing about it. It turns out to be a nice object for the 2" refractor. While there is lots of haze at 30x, several stars do resolve. 60x shows the full richness of M 48, which can take your breth away in a 6". A few dozen stars are resolved in Space Eye, many seen using averted vision and a perfect focus. This is a true wonder of the late winter sky!
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2013/02/11/messier-monday-a-lost-and-found-star-cluster-m48/
Object #39: Algieba (Gamma Leonis): 2.6-3.8/4": Olcott quotes Struve in his Field Book: "Finest double in the northern sky." Olcott himself calls it the telescopic feature of leo. It certainly is beautiful in the 6" and 12", and most likely in a 3", too. It is a challenge to resolve in the 2", and takes a practiced eye, steady seeing, perfect focus, and some patience. Comfortable seating helps, too. One star is deeper gold that the other, and one is noticeably bigger. A beautiful pair in Space Eye, but not a showpiece for the masses. I only used up to 60x, and will try a higher power next time.
http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~fringwal/Gamma-Leonis-2006-01-27-120s-f20.png
http://www.astrofoto.ca/john/files/m065-66.jpg
(edited to crop out eg 3628)
Meanwhile, work continues in Leo with the 12". With over 350 NGC objects, this is a multi-year project. However, I am going to begin reporting on progress so far, so stay tuned for that. As ever, clear skies!
Mapman Mike
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