13 April – weblog 3 of three
A lot for the forecast. No observing within the nights of 10, 11 and 12 April. Extra alternate actions.
Tuesday the eleventh I hiked the cliff to the west, where the vultures live. The climate was pleasant and the path allowed for a simple stroll. The views had been greater than nice. The vultures had been on station and each 250 meters of so small teams of wildlife photographers with lenses that rival my SCT had been positioned, all flat on their stomach, for that one final shot.
I adopted the cliff to the north till I acquired a view of the gîte within the valley beneath.
I can see my home from right here!#astrotrip pic.twitter.com/naOxI4ErKc
— Clear Skies – visible astronomy 🔭 (@clearskies_eu) April 11, 2023
That night time it remained cloudy, however Wednesday the twelfth the forecast improved. The day was principally overcast, however there was the promise of clear skies quickly after midnight.
Benefiting from the after dinner dip that comes with an honest BBQ dinner, I set my alarm for 23:30. If the forecasts proved to be true, I might be properly rested to look at till Moonrise at 1 / 4 to 4 within the morning of the thirteenth.
I did fall asleep and when my alarm sounded, I used to be happy to see the clouds had been certainly departing in the direction of the east.
Because the skies cleared, I prepped the scope for the session. quarter-hour previous midnight the skies had been fully clear and the primary galaxy in Canes Venatici’s 12-14″ CSOG Gx-2 information was centered in my eyepiece.
That first one, MCG+07-26-011 was extraordinarily faint, however the second object of the night time was a showpiece: Arp 269, consitsting of the galaxies NGC4485 & NGC4490. Numerous element was seen within the bigger southern galaxy, nicknamed “the Cocoon”.
Each galaxies are seen, vibrant and each a clearly irregular. Very good.
The southern galaxy NGC4490 – the “Cocoon Galaxy” is the bigger galaxy, elongated WNW-ESE and steadily brighter within the center with very distinct irregular construction that’s clear even with out AV. Essentially the most irregular a part of the galaxy is elongated in the identical route and is barely offset in the direction of the ESE. With AV a small, virtually spherical core is discernible centrally within the brighter half. In direction of the WNW het brighter a part of the galaxy finish fairly out of the blue in a rounded aport with a fainter NNW-SSE elongated half WNW thereof that’s clearly a part of the galaxy however that’s discernible as part of it, which is notable. The galaxy is wider in the direction of the ESE.
The northern galaxy NGC4485 is north-south elongated, oval glow, steadily brighter within the center and, like NGC4490, irregular even with out AV. With AV the galaxy is rather more irregular and the brighter central half is clearly very elongated in the identical route because the galaxy is as a complete.
PGC2185640 to the NW of NGC4485 is just not seen.
The 2 galaxies that adopted Arp 269 are value a point out, too. MCG+07-26-021 (PGC41576) was clearly irregular with an offset core that accommodates a faint nucleus.
An irregular, barely north-south elongated glow, virtually even in brightness with out AV, steadily brighter within the center. With AV the galaxy is clearly irregular and out of the blue barely brighter in a faint north-south elongated core that’s south of the center, which is notable. With AV the nucleus is faintly seen within the core. The darkish half on the northern aspect of the galaxy is just not seen.
NGC4617 lacked a visual nucleus however its elongated form greater than made up for that.
A clearly north-south elongated streak that’s fairly out of the blue brighter in a really elongated core that’s discernible even with out AV. With AV the galaxy is bigger as a complete, extra elongated north to south and the core is clearer, which steadily brightens in the direction of the center. No nucleus seen. A pleasant galaxy.
To the east is a magazine. 13.5 star.
One other rewarding Arp this night time in Canum, was NGC4618 (Arp 23). The southeastern half designated IC3666 revealed itself, too, as did the HII area IC3669 on the southern edge.
Fairly a big and vibrant, irregular glow. With out AV the big, NE-SW elongated, out of the blue brighter core is seen and that fainter southern half designated IC3669 is subtly discernible. No nucleus seen. With AV the core is clearly NNW of the center of the galaxy, extra of the fainter outer components of the galaxy is seen and the fainter southern half to the south and SSE of the brightest half is seen as a faint glow. With AV the HII area IC3668 is seen on the southern fringe of IC3669 as a small, barely brighter half. A pleasant galaxy.
To the NNE is the galaxy NGC4625.
Close by NGC4625 was virtually as good and, as is the case for 3 of the 5 galaxies that went earlier than it on this session, additionally sports activities an offset core. Opposite to the elongated core of its southern neighbor, this one is spherical.
With out AV a spherical glow that’s fairly out of the blue brighter within the center, with out AV the nucleus is on the restrict of visibility. With AV the galaxy is bigger and irregular and it’s clear that the brighter, spherical core is barely NE of the center. With AV the fainter SW a part of the galaxy is clearly discernible (however not a darp half) and with AV the nucleus is clearly seen. The core being spherical is in stark distinction with the core of NGC4618 (Arp 23) to the SSW, that’s elongated.
Among the many galaxies on this information was large and exquisite Messier 94 (NGC4736) – the “Croc’s Eye Galaxy”. It stared again at me with spiral construction.
A big and vibrant, spherical glow, out of the blue brighter in a barely NW-SE elongated core that steadily brightens in the direction of the middle and that’s clearly irregular with AV, containing a big, vibrant nucleus. With AV a delicate trace of spiral construction is discernible. A gorgeous galaxy.
Comparatively massive and vibrant, too, was NGC4800. It didn’t seem uniform in brightness, with a brighter core and fading extra steadily in the direction of the north-northeast.
A comparatively massive and vibrant, NNE-SSW elongated glow that’s out of the blue brighter in a core that’s barely elongated in the identical route with a vibrant nucleus that’s seen with out AV. With AV the core is extra elongated and extra of the outer areas of the galaxy is seen, it’s clear that the outer areas of the galaxy are brighter in the direction of the SSW than they’re in the direction of to NNE.
Immediately WNW is a magazine. 13 star.
Small however revealing some element was the pair of galaxies MCG+08-24-011 (PGC44188) & MCG+08-24-012 (PGC44198) that collectively go by NGC4837 and which might be nr. 1579 on Boris Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov‘s listing. I used to be capable of decide that this glow certainly consists of two galaxies, even when particular person galaxies weren’t discernible.
With out AV a WSW-ENE elongated glow, steadily brighter within the center. With AV clearly bigger and extra elongated. With AV it’s subtly discernible that the glow bends in the direction of the east on the ENE aspect and that the western half is extra bulging than the easter half is that’s tapering and through which an east-west elongated half is subtly discernible, making it clear these are two galaxies. With AV a nucleus is seen that’s clearly SW of the center. Not very vibrant however a outstanding object.
The faint galaxy PGC2314573 to the ENE typically appeared to leap into view however not noticed with certainty.
Though a small and faint galaxy that itself doesn’t reveal an excessive amount of, NGC5021 has one thing additional going for it. A stellar dot was seen on the southern edge. Though starlike, it’s in reality one other galaxy: SDSS J131205.86+461136.2. Such element, other than in fact offering for a pleasant statement, is one in all numerous updates to CSOG. Under at left is the article as included in CSOG 2.4, at proper is the up to date information that will likely be a part of CSOG 3.0.
With out AV an irregular, barely ENE-WSW elongated, oval glow, steadily brighter within the center.
With AV barely extra elongated, barely extra out of the blue brighter within the center in an oval core that’s barely elongated in the identical route. With AV the galaxy is clearly irregular and flattened on the NNW aspect on a line from ENE to WSW.
On the southern fringe of the galaxy is a stellar dot, SSW of the center of the brighter core, resembles a magazine. 14.5-15 star (= galaxy SDSS J131205.86+461136.2).
To the NE is a magazine. 12 star, thrice that distance to the WSW is a magazine. 12.5 star. 1/3 FoV to the NNW is the galaxy MCG+08-24-070.
Closing statement in CVn that’s value mentioning is for NGC5023. Such elongation is a pleasure to look at.
A clearly NNE-SSW extraordinarily elongated streak, with AV clearly brightest SSW of the center (the half that’s clearest with out AV), with AV rather more elongated and steadily brighter in the direction of the NNE and extra out of the blue fainter in the direction of the SSW. No core is discernible however the offset brighter half is notable. The knot on the the SSW fringe of the galaxy is just not discernible.
These observations in Canes Venatici took me virtually an hour an a half. Situations had been actually good. Clear, darkish skies with an SQM that exceeded 21.6. For this reason I journey.
Though this observing information as a part of CSOG 2.4 accommodates simply 30 galaxies, the skies allowed me to look at 43. Bonus observations logged for 13 galaxies close by others within the information. For instance, PGC2304007 north of NGC4741 and MCG+09-21-062 (PGC44032) west-southwest of NGC4834.
I added many of those to the information for CSOG 3.0. So many in reality, that I truly added a whole new information: 7 galaxy guides for CVn in CSOG 2.4’s 12-14″ version, 8 in CSOG 3.0. That is what occurs just about each time I observe utilizing a big galaxy information for objects which might be principally first time observations. There’s simply so very a lot to see and and most updates to CSOG objects and observing guides come from my precise observations. This night time was no exception.
After a twenty minute break I returned to the eyepiece to focus on a gaggle of objects I had been wanting ahead to for a really very long time: HII areas with NGC designations in Messier 101 (NGC5457 – Arp 26), the “Pinwheel Galaxy”.
With the galaxy approaching its transit time, excessive within the north, I nested myself on the south aspect of the scope to search out my means round its spiral arms utilizing CSOG’s MV information: photographs mirrored vertically to match the view in my eyepiece. The draw back of observing objects so excessive within the north, is the place of the telescope’s tripod legs. I fairly actually needed to fold myself across the southwestern leg to have the ability to observe in relative consolation… so long as I did not transfer.
Total, the galaxy was faint, however massive and packed a whole lot of element:
A big, irregular, spherical glow through which spiral construction is clearly seen with out AV. With AV the japanese HII areas clearly jumps into view and on the WSW aspect and NNE of the center a number of indifferent, patchy areas are seen, too. Particularly the NNE half is notable, elongated SSE-NNW, a clearly indifferent half. The galaxy is kind of out of the blue brighter in a small, spherical core through which the nucleus is seen with out AV. To the NNE of the nucleus is a magazine. 12 star (4UCAC722-053099), extra superimposed stars are seen with the star NNE of the nucleus is most outstanding.
Beginning on the japanese aspect of the galaxy, NGC5462 and NGC5461 had been my first targets. Photos beneath are POSS2 Blue photographs, 5 minutes of arc in dimensions.
NGC5462 and NGC5461 are each clearly seen.
NGC5462
NGC5462 is a SSW-NNE elongated streak, brighter within the center in an element that could be very elongated in the identical route. NNO of the center a notably vibrant, stellar knot is seen. To the SSW is NGC5461, to the ENE is NGC5471.
NGC5461
Small and fainter than NGC5462 to the NNE is, barely elongated SSW to NNE with a superimposed star or a stellar knot on the NE edge, stellar with out AV, simply not stellar with AV.
NGC5471
The easternmost NGC object in M101, resembling an elliptical galaxy.
A spherical knot, resembles an elliptical galaxy with a stellar core. With AV barely bigger however spherical, simply as it’s with out AV.
To the WSW is a magazine. 13.5 star, farther to the WSW is NGC5462.
Heading in the direction of the west, again into the galaxy, NGC5458, 5453 and 5455 had been subsequent.
NGC5458
South of the central a part of the galaxy NGC5458 is seen, fainter than NGC5461, NGC5462 and NGC5471 are that I noticed earlier. A north-south elongated glow, even in brightness with out AV, with AV subtly brighter within the center. To the south and 1 1/3 instances that distance in the direction of the WSW is a magazine. 13.5 star, these two stars help in finding NGC5458. To the north (only a bit to the NNE) of the western magazine. 13 star is NGC5453.
The celebs kind a flattened triangle with NGC5455 within the tip pointing SSW.
NGC5453
Subtly fainter than NGC5458 that I noticed earlier than this one, is to the SW of nucleus of the galaxy, a north-south elongated glow, even in brightness, no distinction with AV (opposite to the HII areas I noticed earlier).
NGC5455
With out AV spherical with a notable stellar dot on the japanese edge (stellar with use of AV, too), with AV sligthtly elongated north to south, even in brightness.
NGC5447 & NGC5450
This pair of NGC’s on the southwestern fringe of the galaxy is among the many brighter areas of the galaxy.
17mm Nagler T4:
NGC5447 and NGC5450 are each seen.
NGC5450 is on the SE aspect and is barely brighter, elongated SE to NW and steadily brighter within the center, with out AV subtly brighter within the center, clearer with AV.
On the NW aspect is NGC5447, a barely fainter, east-west elongated glow, with out AV even in brightness, with AV steadily brighter within the center and with AV barely elongated SW to NE.
To the NNE of NGC5447 is a magazine. 13.5 star, to the NW is a small, faint, spherical glow, solely seen with AV, steadily brighter within the center, resembles a faint elliptical galaxy (HII area Hodge-Kennicutt 465).
To the north is NGC5449.
12mm Nagler T4:
Utilizing this magnification NGC5447 is clearly fainter than NGC5450 is. NGC5450 is elongated SSE to NNE and NGC5447 is barely elongated SW to NE with out AV, however is clearly fairly elongated with AV. With AV a stellar dot is seen in NGC5447, SW of the center, solely seen with AV.
Final two NGC’s had been NGC5449 and 5451. Though each are faint, some element could possibly be glimpsed.
NGC5449
A faint, spherical glow with a stellar dot on the western edge. With AV barely elongated north to south.
To the NNE is NGC5451.
NGC5451
With out AV a spherical glow, with AV barely irregular, subtly elongated SW to NE and subtly brighter within the center.
To the ENE is a magazine. 13.5 star, to the SSW is NGC5449.
As famous within the statement notes for NGC5447 & NGC5450, one other faint glow to the northwest of NGC5447 caught my eye. I logged an statement for it, even when not (but) realizing its designation. Because it turned out, it is HII area Hodge-Kennicutt 465.
Noticed concurrently with NGC5447 to the SE: To the NW of NGC5447 is a small, faint, spherical glow, solely seen with AV, steadily brighter within the center, resembles a faint elliptical galaxy.
Figuring out my observations and including this bonus HII area to my log, I took one other take a look at the various faint specs that litter the arms of Messier 101. Though averted imaginative and prescient was required to look at Hodge-Kennicutt 465, it was inside attain and several other extra object of comparable dimension and brightness are suspected to be, too. Under is the picture of the (draft) CSOG 3.0 information for HII Areas in M101, this one from the Arp version. I can not wait to delve again into M101 to search out out what extra may be focused in my aperture.
The ultimate object within the HII information is an object close to a distinct galaxy. PGC2448110 to the north-northwest of NGC5474 required averted imaginative and prescient to be noticed and appeared stellar, however could possibly be held.
NGC5474 is an irregular, spherical glow that’s clearly brighter north of the center the place, with out AV, a spherical half is seen. With AV the galaxy is bigger and barely flattened on the west aspect on a line from north to south. With AV it’s clear that the brighter half is only a bit to the NNE. To the NE of the brighter half is a magazine. 13 star. To the south of the brighter half the galaxy is clearly irregular and clearly fanning out in the direction of the south.
The HII area PGC2448110 to the north of the galaxy is on the restrict of visibility with AV however may be held, stellar. NNW thereof is a magazine. 15 star.
Glad with my observations in M101 however relieved to get out of my cramped place across the tripod leg, I relocated to the northern aspect of the scope for observations in Boötes. I logged 15 galaxies & galaxy teams and two double stars.
Galaxies NGC5697 and MCG+08-28-038 (PGC55381) had been noticed fifteen minutes aside (in time), however appeared comparable even when the MCG is significantly fainter than the NGC is.
NGC5697
With out AV a barely NE-SW elongated glow, steadily brighter within the center. With AV barely extra elongated and clearly brightest SW of the center, a notable, offset half however a definite core is just not discernible. The galaxy is steadily fainter in the direction of the NE and ends extra out of the blue on the SW aspect.
1/5 FoV to the west is a small group of stars within the form of the constellation of Mensa, a trapezium of magazine. 10.5 and fainter stars with the slender prime on the SSW aspect.
1/3 FoV to the NE is the galaxy NGC5696.
MCG+08-28-038
With out AV a faint, barely NE-SW elongated glow, even in brightness. With AV barely bigger, barely extra elongated and subtly brighter SW of the center. No nucleus seen. Considerably resembles galaxy NGC5697 that I noticed earlier, however is fainter.
1/7 FoV to the WNW are two magazine. 11 stars aligned WNW to ESE, ±105°/35″ (not a double star in WDS), this PA factors simply south of the galaxy.
One of many double stars noticed was HJ2776 (WDS15194+4550), of which the galaxy NGC5918 is part C. How this fuzzy got here to be a part of a double is anybody’s guess.
An east-west elongated glow, with out AV steadily brighter within the center. With AV barely irregular and clearly brighter within the center (elongated in the identical route) however no distinct core is discernible. The brighter half is clearly west of the center.
To the SSW are a magazine. 11 (SE) and a magazine. 13 (NW) star aligned SE to NE, these two stars are elements A and B of the double star HJ2776, NGC5918 is part C.
To the north of the magazine. 11 star, ±002°/80″ is a faint star.
Closing deliberate objects within the quarter hour that was left within the session earlier than Moonrise had been 6 galaxies and galaxy teams in Ursa Minor.
Though consisting of very faint smudges, the group Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 1832 was a enjoyable one to type out, even after I couldn’t observe all of its members.
PGC84830 & PGC84827 that kind NGC6331 are seen with out AV as one clearly ESE-WNW elongated glow, no particular person galaxies are discernible.
PGC59513 to the WNW of NGC6331 typically appears to leap into view with AV however cannot be held.
To the east of NGC6331 is a magazine. 13 star, NE thereof, with out AV, a small, faint, spherical glow is seen (MCG+13-12-017), even in brightness with out AV, with AV barely bigger and steadily brighter within the center.
To the NE of MCG+13-12-017 is MCG+13-12-018, a faint, spherical glow, even in brightness with out AV, with AV considerably elongated east to west and steadily sublty brighter within the center.
To the WNW of MCG+13-12-018 is MCG+13-12-019, a really faint, small, spherical glow, solely seen with AV however properly held, even in brightness, no particulars seen.
The japanese galaxy MCG+13-12-020 is just not seen.
Because the skies brightened, I packed away my eyepieces and as I reached to the scope to take away the dew protect, I seen the constellation of Scorpius properly seen within the south. At this latitude it doesn’t attain an honest elevation, however I made a decision to finish the session with observations for the 2 Messier globulars inside its borders.
Messier 80
Smaller than Messier 4 (NGC6121), the “Cat’s Eye” that I noticed earlier than this one, resembles Messier 92 (6341)… or NGC6229(?) in Hercules. Resolves fairly properly, clearly out of the blue brighter within the center. With AV extra of the outer stars resolve and the cluster is clearly bigger. As is the case with M4 there’s a “chew” taken from the cluster on the NE aspect, that’s clear with AV. With AV it is usually clear that the brighter central a part of the cluster is barely east of the center and extra fainter stars are seen west of the center. A pleasant cluster.
Messier 4
The cluster’s construction is notable immediately, on the NE aspect of the cluster a “chew” is taken from the xluster, a U-shape with the open aspect in the direction of the NE. Centrally within the cluster is a crooked line of stars from NNE to SSW (virtually due north-south) is seen, which is notable. To the south of the center of that line the cluster is most focused on a line from ENE to WSW. The central a part of the cluster is flattened on the NW aspect on a line from NE to SW. To the south of the U-shape the cluster is flattened on a line from east to west. Effectively resolved, many stars are seen regardless of the cluster being very low within the sky (18°). Surrounding by arc of stars with a notable arc on the WNW aspect with the bulging aspect in the direction of the NW. SE thereof the cluster is barely poorer.
Again in after a really nice observing run. Skies cleared round midnight, noticed till Moonrise. Amongst my observations – lastly – the NGC HII areas in galaxy Messier 101 in UMa.
Picture beneath is mirrored vertically, matching the view in my eyepiece tonight.#astrotrip pic.twitter.com/odMv5NU9qe— Clear Skies – visible astronomy 🔭 (@clearskies_eu) April 13, 2023
– Blog continues below the observations table –
Observations
2 double stars
2 globular clusters
12 HII areas
66 galaxies & galaxy teams
Complete: 82 observations
First time observations: 63 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk beneath.
click on right here for my observing log
Friday the 14th I headed out for provides. You’d assume that having been to France on 23 distinctive astrotrips I might by now had remembered that almost all shops shut throughout the afternoon… Effectively, let’s simply say that for some motive I discovered myself with an hour and a half to kill, so I went on slightly roadtrip. Driving in the direction of the east, I remembered there’s the Observatoire des Baronnies Provencales on this area. Because it turned out, it was solely a ten minute drive.
The observatory was closed, however I used to be greeted within the parking zone by a pleasant French astronomer who was fluent in English and confirmed me across the premises. They’ve fairly a pleasant assortment of astro gear for public use and naturally have the skies of this area that depart little to be desired.
Persevering with my exploration of the area, I handed the Priory of St-Andre-de-Rosans (plenty of previous stones) and located the Col de Pommerol a.k.a. Col de la Fromagère to sadly not present any overlook of the area.
The nights of each Thursday 13 and Friday 14 April had been cloudy, ending this astrotrip with solely three (partial) nights of observing. That is beneath common in the case of the variety of objects noticed, however this sojourn was by all means definitely worth the journey.
Until subsequent time.
Object tally for 3 nights beneath the celebrities this astrotrip: 186 observations, 146 of them first time observations
33 double stars
2 globular clusters
12 HII areas
139 galaxies and galaxy teams
click on right here for my observing log
