The Olcott Project: Adventures with a 2" Telescope--Nights 2 & 3
We have had two fine nights of observing since my last blog entry, and we managed to view an additional 8 objects with our newest telescope, the Space Eye 2" refractor from Vixen! The very first thing we did was go back and re-observe NGC 457 (see entry for Object #2 for the update). We observed Objects 6 through 8 on October 5th, and Objects 9 through 13 on October 7th. Both nights had very fine conditions until clouds rolled in shortly after midnight. Our list of objects is viewed in no particular order, just whatever strikes our fancy.
Object #6: NGC oc 225: Mag. 7; 15'; Br. * mag. 9.3: Merely listed on Olcott's map of Cassiopeia, the open cluster is located north preceding Gamma (2) Cass. While a pretty fine object in the 6" and 12", this one likely requires a 3" scope to look somewhat impressive. It's unique half-circle shape was noted, with about a dozen faint stars seen at 60x. The central area appears dark at 30x, but 60x resolves some stars in there. Not really recommended for a 50 mm, though it certainly can be viewed.
http://www.ngcicproject.org/dss/n/0/n0225.jpg
Object # 7: Messier 31: The "Great Nebula" in Andromeda is one of the finest objects in the heavens for small telescopes, and it looks marvelous in the Space Eye! The mid-section is enormous and bright at 30x. By using the slow motion controls the full extent of the galaxy can be traced at the eyepiece. As a bonus, adjacent M32 is an easy object to see, a very bright star-like object. It resembles a star that will not focus properly. As an even further bonus, Messier 110 is no problem at all for this scope in a dark sky, its oval shape being easy to make out at 30x. All three objects can be made to fit in the same field of view. Don't miss this one with Space Eye! In the section of his handbook discussing Andromeda for the unaided eye and field glass, Olcott uses almost a full page to talk about this object.
http://www.vcastro.com/messier/page004/html/04-0811_m31_result01_std.jpg
Object #8: Double Cluster in Perseus: NGC oc 869 and oc 884: Olcott says of these objects: "The famous double cluster is a wonderful object. It should be observed with low power. One of the finest clusters for a small telescope. The field is simply sown with scintillating stars, and the contrasting colors are very beautiful." In other words, folks, you miss this one at your peril. It looks fabulous in the 2" scope! At first it seems like the pair of open clusters may not reveal much charm at 30x. However, once a satisfactory focus is achieved, stars begin to pop out everywhere! While resolution improves at 60x, our best view was with my Epic 2, 15mm, giving 40x. This was the perfect vantage point to bathe in stars! Serious observing work can be done here. Bonus: Follow Deb's "Trail of Breadcrumbs" north from NGC 869 (the densest of the pair). A string of a dozen or so bright stars leads soon to Stock 2, a massive open cluster rich with bright stars. I was able to easily navigate here using the slow motion controls. All three clusters are highly recommended for a 2" scope.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Double_Cluster.jpg/300px-Double_Cluster.jpg
After two nights of using the new scope, it became obvious that the 5 X 20 finder had to go. We replaced it with a red dot one for the third night, having better success with locating objects. Remember, however, that we are only using the star charts in Olcott for navigation. Of course we know the location of many of these objects without any aid. These next five objects were all observed on the third night out, using the red dot finder.
Object #9: Alpha Cass (Shedar): 2.5-9.0/64": Another challenge double for our 50 mm telescope, this one has similar magnitudes to Polaris (see Object # 5). However, the separation distance here is much greater. Not split at 30x, and at first not with 60x either. We used my Epic 2, 8 mm eyepiece (75x) and got it right away. Afterwards, we could see it minutely at 60x. Recommended only as a test for your eyes and your objective lens. Olcott says: "The star Alpha Cass is 181 light years distant from us. It is a star of the solar type."
http://www.daviddarling.info/images/Alpha_Cassiopeiae.jpg
Object #10: Eta Cass: 3.6-7.4/9": A very close pair, best split at 60x. Yellow and white, possibly bluish. Following Alpha in the sky (east of it), it is very close to that star. A much better object for the 2". Olcott says: "Eta was discovered by Herschel in 1779. It is a binary with a period of more than 500 years. It is about 17 light years distant." Though it is a bit of a challenge, this was a pretty decent double for Space Eye.
http://www.solstation.com/stars/etacas2.jpg
Object #11: Messier 52: 16'; mag. 6.9; Br. * mag. 11: This is a very fine open cluster in Cassiopeia through the 6", and absolutely breath-taking in the 12"; so how does M52 look in the 2"? Aside from two brighter stars within, the cluster stars themselves begin at mag. 11. So it's not going to be a blaze of light! Once focused at 30x the main bright star (mag. 8?) is seen to be surrounded by a faint "mist." 60x resolves about a dozen tiny, very faint stars! Not a showpiece for the crowds, but a nice little object for expert observers. It does push the limits of the Space Eye, something it seems to handle well. Well done, Space Eye!
http://www.ngcicproject.org/dss/n/7/n7654.jpg
Object #12: Messier 34: 25'; mag. 5.2; Br. * mag. 9: A truly fine object for the 2", this open cluster in Perseus can be seen well at 30x. It is a very large group, and the eye is kept busy. The central knot showed well, and several bright stars are also seen in the outskirts. Recommended, even for star parties. Olcott says: "The several other clusters indicated on the [Perseus] chart are good objects for a 3" telescope, particularly M 34, which lies about halfway between Algol and Gamma Andromeda."
http://www.ngcicproject.org/dss/n/1/n1039.jpg
Object #13: Messier 45: The Pleiades: This open cluster is a showstopper in the 2"! A bit of nebulosity could even be seen around Alcyone, the brightest member. Views were best at 30x, though even here the slow motion controls were needed to sweep around the cluster, which more than fills the viewfinder. This object is really fun to view, and it would easily wow people at a star party. The bonus here is how easy it is to find! Olcott says: "Many consider the cluster of the Pleiades the most attractive of all the star groups. In an opera or field glass they present a charming appearance." On the telescope page he continues: "Alcyone, the brightest star in the Pleiades, is a very beautiful object." One certainly can't argue with that.
http://www.constellation-guide.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Pleiades-Messier-45.jpg
Clear skies!
Mapman Mike
