Wednesday 14 September 2016

#101 Equuleus Deep Sky

Over a period of 4 nights last lunar session I observed 33 double stars and 11 deep sky objects in this tiny constellation.  None of the galaxies viewed were first rate (there are no clusters, nebula, etc.), but were still fun to hunt down.  Several of the double stars were quite lovely, especially STF 2791, 9, Delta (7), and especially Epsilon (1) and Lambda (2).

eg 7015:  1'.9 x 1'.6:  Vis. 12.8; SB 13.6:  At 100x and 136x the galaxy is pretty large, round, and quite bright.  Good views were had at 187x, especially using averted vision.  The center is especially bright.  A bright star (mag. 9.7) is preceding, and a double star is just south.  The object is slightly oval now.  Not a bad object with a 12".
 http://mclarkmadison.weebly.com/uploads/5/8/6/5/58650947/2612254_orig.jpg
 
eg 7040:  1' x 0'.8:  Vis. 14; SB 13.6:  Spotted at 136x it was best with averted vision as it is pretty faint.  187x shows it a bit better, now pretty large and slightly oval.  This is one of only 3 NGC objects in Equuleus, along with 5 IC objects, all of them galaxies.
NGC 7040
https://avertedvisionblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/ngc_7040_dss0.jpg

eg 7046:  1'.9 x 1'.3:  Vis. 13.1; SB 13.9:  Not the showpiece I was hoping for.  It was just barely visible at 100x using averted vision.  It sits between two fairly close stars, but north of an even brighter one.  At 136x the galaxy appears oval.  It was viewed fairly well at 187x, 200x, 250x and 272x, and does appear to be pretty large.  It is also oval and quite faint, seen best with averted vision. It sits close to 3 or 4 stars forming a close but very faint asterism.
eg 7046
http://www.derekscope.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/NGC7046.jpg
 
eg IC 1364:  1' x 0'.6:  Vis. 13.8; SB 13.1:  Spotted at 136x, preceding a mag. 9.4 star.  It was small, pretty bright, and elongated.  Views were good at 187x, 250x and 272x.  The center is brighter, and the whole is quite elongated at higher power.
eg IC 1365:  1'.1 x 0'.7:  Vis. 13.7; SB 13.5:  Spotted at 136x, it was round and very faint.  It was also observed at 187x and 200x.  It remains round and faint.  South is a keystone of 4 bright stars.  the narrower pair of stars are nearest the galaxy, which makes a triangle with them.
eg IC 1375:  1' x 0'.7:  Vis. 14.2; SB 13.7:  This one is very, very faint and small.  It was suspected at 136x and confirmed at 187x.  It appears round.  It was also viewed at 250x and 272x.  This is a difficult object.  2 stars north of it form a line with the galaxy.
eg IC 1377:  0'.8 x 0'.7:  Vis. 14.3; SB 13.5:  A lot easier to see than IC 1375!  It is faint, but not too small.  I had good views at 136x and 187x.
UGC 11671:  1'.1 x 0'.8:  This one is very tricky to spot, being small and just south of a bright star (mag. 10.1).  It looks like a close but fuzzy companion to that star.
 
UGC 11675:  0'9 x 0'.3:  Vis. 14.1; SB 12.5:  Spotted at 136x and also 187x.  It is very elongated and very faint.  It was seen only with averted vision.
UGC 11680:  2'.1 x 0'.7:  Vis. 13.8; SB 14.1:  Forget the published size.  Only the small central area can be seen.  It is very faint and indistinct at 136x and 187x.  Disappointing.
UGC 11720:  1' x 0'.7:  Vis. 13.8; SB 13.3:  Even using a pinpoint map this one was very tricky to see.  It was small, faint and oval at 187x.

After three tries I was unable to view eg IC 1361.  After searching out a photo of it on the web, I now realize that it will likely appear stellar.  So I may have seen it.  I will give it one more try later this month.

Equuleus' deep sky objects will likely only appeal to a completist like myself.  None of the objects are very thrilling, except for a few fine double stars.  My work in Lacerta should be wrapping up this month, and I will report back on the wonderful times I have been spending there.

Clear skies!
Mapman Mike

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