#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

#28: Monthly Update #5: July/August 2013

     At last!  Some clear summer nights with terrific conditions.  We even had a few such nights between last quarter and new moon, something that has been rare.  As a result, a large number of new objects were logged, and a few old classics.  During the observing month I managed to conclude my in-depth studies of Lyra.  I have now moved on to Cygnus and Cassiopeia.  While all three constellations have been examined in detail in past years with the 8", it is a whole new world up there with a 12".  Most of the fainter, previously invisible NGC objects are now available to me, expanding my viewing options significantly.  My earlier studies in Lyra saw me observe 4 NGC/IC objects.  This time around I went after 32 of them, plus one non-NGC open cluster!  Only two objects proved too faint or small.

     Searching for faint galaxies in Lyra (and now Cygnus) has the advantage of observing in overhead skies.  However, the disadvantage is the rich and bright star field surrounding many of them, making galaxy viewing quite challenging.  Of the 32 new NGC/IC objects observed this month, only 5 were non-galaxies.  Those consisted of a globular (M56), two open clusters and two planetaries (one being M57).  This entry will only deal with objects seen in the past month.  For the full Lyra details, see my two previous blog entries.

     For Cygnus and Cassiopeia, I have decided to not only search for NGC/IC objects not previously seen with the 8", but also to undertake a full but quick review of objects already logged with that instrument.  In some cases it's been 20-30 years since I have observed most of these objects, so it's likely time for a revisit.  While more time will be spent on the unfamiliar objects, I will try to spend some time with every cluster, nebula and other deep sky object in these constellations.  My to-do list is extensive, and it will take many sessions to complete.

     This past observing month I observed 25 new NGC/IC objects, as well as reviewed 8 others previously seen.  Most were faint galaxies, and most were in Lyra, but a few were also logged in Cygnus.  While none of the galaxies were outstanding, a few were well worth the hunt, and recommended objects.  The finest objects this past month were all ones I had seen years before.  I will list them in order of interest, beginning with the best and brightest objects newly seen and continuing on to the faintest of the faint fuzzies.  Then I will discuss previously seen objects.

NEW OBJECTS

eg 6764:  The brightest galaxy in Cygnus, and brighter than any of the ones in Lyra except for 6703 (see previous blog entry, below).  Worth seeking, likely making you one of the rare amateurs who know there is a pretty bright galaxy in Cygnus and have seen it!

eg 6702:  2nd brightest galaxy in Lyra, and a nearby companion to the brighter 6703.  Two for one.

pn 6765:  Lyra's "other" planetary.  10" or 12" recommended.  Unusual elongated shape.

eg 6688:  Involved with at least 3 very faint stars.

eg 6692:  Nothing special.

eg 6745:  Check out the Hubble Heritage photo of this object!  Easy with a 12"!

eg 6671:  An easy object, likely doable with an 8".

eg *I 4867:  Small, but bright and easy at moderate magnification.  Near two bright variable stars.
oc 6743:  Called non-existent in some sources, including my push-to computer.  It does exist, and exactly where Uranometria places it.  A bright star is surrounded by a faint cloud of very dim stars.  I counted 18 at 150x.

eg 6662; eg 6665; I 1289; eg 6710; eg 6743; eg 6740; eg 6700; eg6692; eg 6713; eg 6685; eg 6612; eg 6696; eg 6672; eg 6606; eg I 1289; eg 6783 (Cygnus); eg *I 1301 ( Cygnus).  All tricky.  Happy hunting!

*  A note about I 4867 (bright and easy for a 12") and I 1301 (very dim and extremely difficult, just south).  Some sources say they are the same object!  Not!!  Refer to Uranometria.

There you have it--25 new NGC and IC objects.  The only non-NGC object viewed this month was also new to me.  Ste 1 is a very large open cluster centered around Delta Lyra.  Bright and suitable for almost any aperture.  Lovely in the 4 1/4" Astroscan.  About two dozen stars with a 12".

PREVIOUSLY VIEWED OBJECTS

pn 6720--M 57:  Arguably the finest amateur object out there, except perhaps for M 42!  One of two objects I was unable to locate was a faint IC galaxy very close to M 57.

gc 6779--M 56:  Often overlooked in favour of more popular summer globulars, this one is not to be missed in a 12"!

oc 6791:  Resolving this open cluster is more difficult than many globulars.  A real beauty!

oc 6811:  A rich and lovely cluster, with a very fine field just preceeding.  Repays close viewing.  Plenty of brighter stars, and some very dim ones back there, too.  A 4" mirror just begins to resolve it!

oc 6819:  Smaller and not as rich as 6611, but not to be missed with a large mirror.  Unusual shape, and again in a very bright star field.  Use all magnifications, and then go back to lowest again.  Recommended!

eg 147:  A massive galaxy in Cassiopeia with a very low surface brightness, this one requires a great sky.  One of M 31's nearby cousins.

eg 185:  Very near 147, and also related to M 31.  Brighter, smaller and much easier to view than 147, but it is still huge!

eg 6703:  The brightest galaxy in Lyra and/or Cygnus, and a decent object for an 8" mirror.  6702 appears in the same field.

     It was a most enjoyable month.  I managed 7 observing nights out of the 14 available!!  Happy hunting!

Mapman Mike

Clear, Dry Skies--Where Are They?

     I live in a humid temperate zone amidst the Great Lakes of Canada and USA (in Canada).  Clear nights with really fabulous seeing are rare, as my last two monthly sessions have proven.  I should restate that:  they are rare around new moon.  They seem quite abundant in and around full moon.  Not only do we suffer around here from hazy skies often loaded with humidity, but in spring, summer and fall that humidity brings out the pesky mosquitoes.  They carry West Nile Disease, too, so there is no such thing as an innocent bite.  In a person's wildest dreams, are there places to travel with one's telescope to have not only the best skies one could imagine, but also be free of pesky insects?  For this dreamer, there are three.

     Having come from northern Ontario, I fully realize that dark skies there are as dark as they come.  The only problem is that they don't come with any regularity or predictability.  Planning a week-long visit there (Manitoulin Island comes to mind) might yield one or two good nights, or seven, or none.  If I am going to drive far and plan a week-long astronomy orgy, I am also looking for certain guarantees that eastern North American cannot possibly provide.  You pick your dates and you take your chances.

     That brings me to consider western North America.  Not the far west of California, but the nearer west of Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and parts of Texas.  During certain seasons (spring, fall, and winter) weather is reasonably predictable, enough to make planning a trip worth considering.  I am considering it for this autumn and next spring, and perhaps for ever more afterwards.  Things like seasonal hurricanes, which can seriously affect Texas and certainly cause clouds in New Mexico must be taken into account, but these events usually appear a week or so ahead.  Postponing a trip with advance warning is not that difficult to do.

     I have experienced dark skies in two of the three locations I am about to divulge.  The third location (Texas) is unknown to me, but comes with good recommendations.  New Mexico has the best skies I have ever encountered.  It is no coincidence that so many major telescopes are located there.  It is also the home of White Sands Missile Base (and White Sands National Monument).  Western Oklahoma, near the border with New Mexico, also boasts some of the best skies I have ever seen.  The famous annual Tex Okie Star Party is held here http://www.okie-tex.com/.

     Observers are welcome at Black Mesa State Park, OK (tell the ranger when you arrive).  Sky views from the campground, especially the tent sites up above the valley, are nothing short of stupendous.  Neighbouring campfires might be a nuisance, but there are so many places in the park one can set up, it should not pose a huge problem.  Ideally, I would camp here in early October from a Sunday night through Thursday.  Or, if you prefer star parties, head over to the nearby Okie Tex, also held during the new moon in Oct.
http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.631  

     The New Mexico site is a much further drive for me, but at the end of the road a comfortable, astronomy-friendly B & B awaits.  Observe all night, and sleep in comfort all day.  The altitude is only around 5,000', so it should not cause flatlanders any undue distress.  The best skies I have seen are around 8,000' near here, but it gets chilly at night, especially in the fall or early spring.  April, May, October and November are tempting me right now.  Clear, very dry nights are almost a certainty.  Mosquitoes are rare to non-existent.  http://www.casitasdegila.com/astronomy.html

     My third site is also a B & B, this time in Texas.  A bit more affordable, too.  I have not seen the skies from here, but they sound spectacular and worth a try.  My goal is next April (galaxies, here I come!).  http://starrynight.homestead.com/

     If none of these sites excite you, or perhaps prove too far to get to, then perhaps this final website for today can help you find the best place near you.  Good luck, and may your skies be clear, dark and dry (and often).

http://www.observingsites.com/index.html

Mapman Mike

#14: Monthly Summary 1 (mid-March/mid-April 2013)

     With the moon now waxing, and the ten-day weather forecast predicting some form of rain every day for the foreseeable future, it is safe to say that dark sky observations have ended until after full moon on the 25th of this month.  I desperately tried to observe a few objects last night in Leo, but consistent clouds and haze made decent views impossible.  It is now time to summarize achievements during the past lunar cycle.  Despite many overcast nights, there were some remarkable successes since March 15th.  I got outside with the scope 8 times, and a few of those nights were near-perfect skies.  Many, however, ended early with incoming clouds.  Even worse was having clear skies predicted, staying up late only to find no such clear skies appearing.

     Despite some bad luck with weather a total of 19 new NGC objects were officially logged, many of them sketched as well as reported on with good old fashioned words.  One of the objects accounted for 4 of the new NGCs.  The Rosette Nebula in Monoceros has the following designations:  2237, 2238, 2239 and 2246.  The cluster itself, seen last lunar cycle, is 2244.  The nebula is vast and completely encircles the open cluster.  I could see nothing at all without a Skyglow filter, but with it and a low power eyepiece (28 mm) the emission nebula appeared as so much faint cloud interspersed among the rich stellar background.  So score 4 NGC right there!  I had hoped to also have a look at it with my Edmund 4 1/8" rft, but did not have the opportunity (more about this little scope soon).

     So besides the 4 galactic nebulae, I also viewed in detail this past month 5 open clusters, 9 galaxies and 1 planetary nebula.  One of those galaxies was M 65, and though I observed the entire Leo Triplet several times, M 65 was the only one so far to be officially entered into the logbook.  Sketches and verbal descriptions of M 66 and eg 3628 await better skies.  The Leo Triplet was easily the highlight of the observing month, with all three galaxies easily fitting into my 2" eyepiece at 43x, and just barely into my 1 1/4" 25 mm 60x eyepiece.  I now know that area so well that I can close my eyes in bed at night and still see it all clearly.  Two other worthy NGC galaxies lay within an easy star hop of the Triplet and were also seen on a few occasions, though not yet officially reported.  This is one of the great advantages of taking one's time when exploring the deep sky.  Once you have really explored and star hopped through an area over several nights, it will stay in your visual memory for a very long time.

     The Leo Triplet wasn't the only galaxy triplet observed this month.  NGCs 2872, 2873 and 2874, though much fainter and smaller, mark another worthwhile goal for 12" scopes or larger.  On my first attempt, only 72 and 74 were viewed, virtually touching.  72 is brighter than 74, though 74 extends further than its bright counterpart.  On a subsequent night I was able to see the third and very faint member, 2873, and it remains the faintest galaxy yet seen with the new scope.  And finally for Leo galaxies, the duo 2911 and tiny 2914 also make a worthy pair.  A nearby third member (2919) has yet to be found.  All three are an easy star hop from 6 Leo, a colourful double star.

     Monoceros is rich in clusters, though this month there were no real standouts.  oc 2353 was the best of the new ones, though I also liked 2252 (it looks like a Star Trek symbol to me) and 2364.  This last one is interesting because very little is said about it, and some photos show nothing at the site.  I definitely saw a cluster, however, and exactly where Uranometria puts it.  It is very small, and consists of 5 "brighter" stars in a curving line, with a field of very faint stars mixed in.  At lower powers the surrounding field is rich with stars, though the cluster itself is relatively barren.

     Of the non-NGC objects, my favorite was oc Collinder 106, a really huge affair that made for grand, informal sweeping.  Dense knots of stars can be found amidst its very bright and scattered field.  Two double stars also stood out this month.  8 Monoceros and 6 Leo are worth a stop if you appreciate doubles, and can easily be split in any modest telescope.  Other objects of interest are near each.

     Overall, I would have to say I was somewhat disappointed in how little I was able to accomplish in Leo.  Of the 9 galaxies officially logged, 8 of them are pretty faint, and a few are very faint.  They usually require some time to locate, see and reconfirm.   Early in the season I had hoped to complete about 5 pages from my extensive 32-page object list of the constellation this year.  I have yet to fully complete page 1!  With spring galaxy season nearly half over for Leo lovers, it will have to be very clear in May if I hope to reach my goal.

     With a little vacation approaching, I will be taking some time off from observing and blogging.  I will be back around the 1st of May, hopefully faced with 10-12 days in a row of clear skies.  May you have the same.

Mapman Mike

#10 Mirror Size

     I mentioned somewhere in an earlier post that if I had easy access to a truly dark sky, I would not require anything larger than an 8" telescope.  To any readers fortunate enough to have that dark sky on demand, along with an 8" scope, you have an ideal situation.  Or not.  It depends on what you are searching for, and how much you hope to see.  You won't be resolving any galaxies into millions of stars with it (nor with any other instrument).  A 6" scope would be quite nice in a great sky if an observer was after only the best and brightest of deep sky objects.  An 8" would be a big bonus for such a project.  For someone enamoured with the whole NGC list, however, a 12" scope in that beautiful dark sky would be darn near perfect.  A 14" objective would be a bonus. 

     I've owned a 3" reflector, a 4.5" reflector, an 8" reflector, and my current 12" Dob reflector.  Going from a 3" reflector to a 12" is not a bad upgrade.  One might think that going from a 3" to a 6" would double the light, and then double it again from a 6" to a 12".  Thus 4x the light gathering power belongs to the owner of a 12" compared to his neighbour with a 3" (refractor or reflector, makes no difference when merely gathering light).  However, this is not the case.

     In actual fact, even though my math is not exact to seventeen decimal points, upgrading to a 6" mirror from a 3" is already an increase of 4x the light-gathering power, not 2x.  7.1" sq. versus 28.3" sq. is 4x the light-gathering power.  Going from a 6" to a 12" increases it again by 4x, from 28.3" sq. to 113" sq. (pardon my non-metric calculations).  In my lifetime, I have increased my light gathering power by a whopping 16x.   I'm still not going to resolve M31 into individual stars with it, but the galaxy sure looks a lot brighter (and I can now see a few globular clusters in it!).

     When I observed with my 8" reflector, I had pre-cut cardboard circles on hand so that I could cover the top of the tube to see what certain objects looked like from a 4" objective and a 6" one.  With the holes cut away, it was also easy to actually see the difference between areas of different sized objectives.  I recently cut a new cardboard aperture to fit over the 12" tube, being 8" (off-centre).  That 8" hole now seems awfully small, with the huge amount of cardboard left over showing the full 12" circle.  Since upgrading from an 8" mirror to a 12", I have increased my light gathering power from roughly 50" sq. to 113" sq., or by about 125%.  It had not really struck me how much bigger that 12" mirror was until the cardboard cover was finished.

 A very rough 8" diameter hole cut from a 12" piece

of thick cardboard.  Black tape hides the bad cutting,
and keeps the circumference roughly even.  Not only
can I now see how objects compare at 8" and 12"

(roughly speaking), but I can really see how much

larger the 12" mirror is (more than 2x, or about 125%).

     We could push this discussion some more, discovering that a 16" mirror has about 201" sq., and a 22" one has around 383" sq.  These scope sizes and larger ones now regularly appear in amateur astronomers' inventories.  How long until we get one big enough to visually resolve Andromeda galaxy at a local star party?  Hmm, that requires around a 200" mirror.  Or maybe several 25" ones spread out and linked by computer on-site.  Maybe that day isn't really too far off after all.

Mapman Mike

#9 NGC Life List

     In my very first post earlier this month I talked about astronomers who work their way methodically through object lists, often to the detriment of the object.  A quick glance, a note or two, maybe a quick sketch and then they are off to the next object.  All well and fine if you are looking at 14th magnitude galaxies, but if your list is packed with the brightest deep sky gems, what is the hurry?  400 top objects could well last your entire life.

     To make certain that I never finish my life list, or run out of options on any given clear night, I chose the NGC list a long time ago as my main deep sky emphasis.  I will not pass a Collinder or Berkeley cluster without a look, but my longest viewing time is spent on the NGC list.  In a lifetime of observing I have only seen about 630 of them, averaging just over one per observing session (last night I logged two new ones).  I really need to ramp that up a wee bit if I want to see all available from my latitude before I die.

     The new edition of Uranometria 2000 claims that more than 30,000 non-stellar objects are on its charts.  That's over 22,000 more than are in the NGC list.  Good grief.  Makes me kind of thankful that I am not overly obsessed.  Of those 30,000 objects, nearly 26,000 of them are galaxies.  Which means that nearly 5 in 6 non-stellar objects viewable in the night sky with amateur scopes are galaxies.  Most of those are pretty faint, too.  Here is the breakdown, as reported on the atlas' back cover:

     25,883 galaxies

     671 galaxy clusters (Abell)

     14 star clouds

     1,613 open clusters, including those in the Magellanic Clouds

     170 globular clusters

     355 bright nebulae

     367 dark nebulae

     1,145 planetary nebulae

     260 radio sources

     35 x-ray sources

     I remember being very surprised when I first learned how many galaxies were available to amateur astronomers (all the ones listed in Uranometria are mag. 15 or brighter).  I mean that I was very surprised.  Growing up loving the Milky Way area and all of its clusters and nebulae, it was easy to conclude that clusters of stars far outnumber galaxies.  That, to say the least, was an erroneous conclusion.  If one decides to choose the NGC for a life list, one must be prepared to see some galaxies.  I don't just mean the ones in the Messier catalogue, either.

     Finding and doing justice to galaxies requires the very finest of dark skies.  I used to be able to pick off 12th mag. galaxies from my back deck with my 8" scope.  Light pollution has increased so much in my area that this is now quite impossible.  I did snag one last night with the 12", but if I want to do a decent job of observing in Leo this spring, I have to be prepared to travel with the scope.  This brings on an interesting conundrum.  I also had a preliminary look last night at M 65 and M 66, bright galaxies in Leo.  Compared to faint little eg 2894 viewed previously, they were pretty darn impressive.  So, do I observe the brighter galaxies from my home, saving the fainter ones for country skies?  Though this is a feasible plan, I try to imagine what eg 2894 might look like from a dark sky.  If I can even see it from home, then it might just be that much more impressive from a dark sky.  Should I save all my faint objects for darker skies?  What about M 65 and M 66?    Of the two, M 65 was less bright but it was really huge after viewing it for a few moments.  M 66 was quite bright, and I could probably have used up to 300x without any loss of brightness.  However, what would these objects look like from a really dark sky site?

     One solution to this problem, which I'm certain many of us face all too often, is to keep notes and report on the brighter ones as seen from home suburban skies, but also return to them in dark skies and enjoy a quick peek.  eg 2894 seemed to have a little cluster of very faint stars superimposed over it, only barely resolvable at high power with averted vision.  Was there a stellar core?  Couldn't really tell.  But the elongated galaxy could be seen in behind the star field, best at 150x in the 12".  I know I want another look in darker skies, resolving those faint stars more easily and perhaps seeing some detail in the galaxy itself.

    Whereas fainter galaxies pose severe problems for suburban viewers, objects such as clusters and nebulae, especially planetary (I also enjoyed good views of pn 2346 in Monoceros last night), do not pose significant problems.  And double star work can carry on quite well, too, often even during full moon nights.  However, I am determined to do as much deep sky work in the darkest skies I can reach.  I've been spoiled by my northern Ontario early years of observing.  Another time I will talk about my nearby observing options, and how they may best be used.  Until then, I hope you enjoy a clear sky night or two.

Mapman Mike