6 November – weblog 1 of two
November. Statistically the worst time of yr for stargazing on this a part of the world. It is cloud season. That can also be the rationale that many objects positioned favorably round this time, particularly in Cetus and environment, proceed to kind a nagging gap in my observing log. That, and since one of the simplest ways to not observe an object is to not attempt in any respect is why we ventured out, in opposition to all odds.
A brand new location: an remoted dwelling close to Mornans, on the western border of the Drôme area in France. Inbound leg break up in two, date of arrival 5 November. My firm for the journey was Belgian astronomer and longtime pal David Daelman.
Simply once I thought the highway main as much as the gîte in Cornillac was the worst I may ever anticipate to take care of, there was the ultimate stretch of unpaved highway in Mornans. My poor automotive, stocked to the brim with astrogear, actually scratched its approach up the mountain. Greater than as soon as I used to be I satisfied I used to be about to get caught however each time, with the sound of pebbles and bigger rocks flying left and proper, I managed to maintain transferring. Velocity was life.
It drizzled on arrival and the forecast confirmed little to no probability to be out underneath the celebs that first night time. However what a spot to be.
Given the forecast, we have been in no hurry to arrange. Understanding the sphere subsequent to the gîte supplied loads of area, I had packed my Kendrick Astro Tent for the primary time since September 2015. As a parttime observatory, it’s a very snug place.
In fact, having not arrange the tent in over 8 years, I forgot the go away the anchor factors for the tentpoles unpegged when attaching them, leading to a bit an excessive amount of stress on the poles and inflicting one to bend… one thing to straighten out as soon as again residence.
With the observatory standing tall and the roof zipped open, establishing the scope was no completely different than at every other location.
With the OTA on its pedestal, equipment hooked up, all different gear sorted and the clouds not going anyplace, the one factor left to do was to gulp down a wholesome pint of French beer. Or, as David calls it: a softdrink.
Monday the sixth the forecast was favorable. Given the rain of the previous weeks we have been, nonetheless, not relying on optimum transparency. Particularly not nearer to the horizon.
At dusk, what remained of the cloud cowl continued to nag us for an hour after the top of astronomical twilight. Round 8′ a clock, they departed however, as was anticipated, loads of moisture remained within the ambiance.
Earlier than beginning my very own observations, I took a fast peek by means of David’s 18″ dob. M13 was sitting fairly within the eyepiece. With none doubt, the globular’s darkish ‘X’ stood out. A function of this object that I, till that second, had but to see. So there you’ve gotten it: > 16,500 commentary logged and the very first time I stare into David’s eyepiece I observe one thing for the very first time. Nice stuff; makes one wonder if this interest will ever attain a conclusion.
For starters and to verify my suspicion that observations nearer to the horizon have been a no-go, I pointed my scope to Pisces. Near the western border of the constellation and simply east of the bottom of an isosceles triangle shaped by the galaxies NGC7397, NGC7398 & NGC7401, is a teeny little galaxy that goes by NGC7402. It has managed to evade my observing log for years, however right here was one other try.
The excellent news is that I once more logged observations for the three galaxies that kind the triangle. One for NGC7396 additional to the west-southwest, too. However – once more – not for NGC7402. For an on the spot I consider I glimpsed it, however even when I did it vanished into the ambiance as sudden because it appeared to have appeared.
NGC7401 is a faint, spherical glow, even in brightness with out AV, with AV fairly all of a sudden barely brighter within the center and barely elongated east to west.
Within the ENE nook of the bottom of an isosceles triangle of three galaxies pointing NNW (NGC7398) with NGC7397 (the brightest galaxy of the three) within the WSW nook of the bottom.
NGC7402 not noticed (once more…), appeared to leap into view however couldn’t be held, presumably because of passing clouds.
NGC7397 is bigger and brighter than NGC7401 to the ENE is, a spherical glow, extra regularly brighter within the center than NGC7401 is.
To the SE is a magazine. 13.5 star, to the north is NGC7398, 1/4 FoV to the WSW is NGC7396.
NGC7398 is bigger than NGC7397 and NGC7401 are, fainter than NGC7397 is, regularly brighter within the center. With AV the nucleus is faintly seen.
NGC7396 is an east-west elongated streak, bigger and brighter than NGC7398, NGC7397 and NGC7401 are, regularly brighter within the center. With AV barely extra all of a sudden brighter in a considerably oval core and with AV the faint nucleus is seen.
With that I knew all I wanted to know. For first rate observations I used to be stick near the zenith and, at the very least right now of night time, goal objects that include stars. That meant leaving the galaxies as they have been and switching to open clusters as a substitute. In Cepheus, to start with.
16 of the King’s open clusters remained on my wished record. For all however 5 of those I’ve beforehand logged observations, however not from a website I take into account as ‘darkish’ and/or solely utilizing a smaller aperture. Nesting myself on the south aspect of the telescope and utilizing the vertically mirrored guides, I got down to sort out them.
Photographs used on this weblog are unmirrored.
Second one to (re)go to my eyepiece was NGC7419. If discovered it fairly good, although faint, however sporting a distinctly orange star north-northwest of the center.
Small, consists of principally magazine. 14 and fainter stars. On the west aspect of the cluster is a glow of stars aligned SSW to NNW that, on the south aspect, subtly curves in the direction of the ESE the place there are two magazine. 12.5 stars aligned north to south. On the NNW aspect of glow is a small, elongated triangle pointing WSW (an orange magazine. 10.5 star, fairly a definite shade), the celebs within the base are aligned NNW (magazine. 13.5) to SSE (magazine. 13). With AV extra stars resolve within the glow. To the NE of the glow is an open a part of the cluster, SSW and NNE thereof are a number of magazine. 13.5 and fainter stars. Fainter than King 18 that I noticed earlier than this one however simply acknowledged as a cluster. Fairly a pleasant cluster.
To the NW is a white-yellow magazine. 9.5 star, a delicate yellowish hue.
Equally rewarding, though fainter, was the cluster that adopted: King 10.
Barely fainter than NGC7419 that I noticed earlier than this one, fairly indifferent, consists of principally magazine. 14.5 and fainter stars that resolve with use of AV. The brightest stars of the cluster, magazine. 12.5 and fainter, are on the ENE aspect of the cluster in a proper angled triangle with the suitable angle on the west aspect and the longer leg in the direction of the SE, the shorter leg in the direction of the NE. NE of the NE-most star within the quick leg of the triangle is a magazine. 13 star (not a double star in WDS). No stars are noticed throughout the triangle thereby making it appear as if a “chunk” is taken out of the cluster. To the south and to the SE of the triangle unresolved stars are faintly seen, a extra distinct glow is seen to the SW of the triangle. The cluster is barely wider on the south aspect, fanning out from east to west.
To the NNW are 3 magazine. 10.5 stars in a barely kinked form aligned east to west with the kink in the direction of the NNE, considerably paying homage to the three stars that kind the “belt” of Orion. 1/5 FoV to the NNE is a vibrant orange magazine. 9.5 star, a notable shade.
A step up on the appreciation ladder was NGC7510 – the “Dormouse Cluster”. Together with its notable form, it contains two stars that reveal some shade.
Fairly indifferent, total the cluster has a definite triangular form pointing NW (barely NNW), the cluster is richer within the SE the place the brightest stars kind a WSW-ENE elongated half. On the western edge is a pale orange magazine. 10.5 star, on the japanese edge is a yellow magazine. 10.5 star. Centrally the cluster is richer.
Close by Markarian 50 is small and nothing particular at first look, however nearer inspection made me prefer it a bit extra. Because of the suboptimal transparency, I didn’t try to watch any close by nebulosity; particularly Simeis 13 that’s the northern a part of the big nebula Courtès 102, higher generally known as the “Lobster Claw Nebula”.
The picture under is taken from the upcoming CSOG 3.0 information, referencing nebulae in catalogs that might be among the many new CSOG editions.
A small, curved form of magazine. 10.5 and fainter stars with the bulging aspect in the direction of the WSW, considerably recognizable as a cluster, fairly a pleasant form. On the NNW edge is an orange magazine. 10.5 star with a magazine. 14 star ESE thereof, nearly due east (elements A and C of the double star Doolittle 21). On the SE edge is a pale white magazine. 10.5 star with a rectangle form of 4 stars NW thereof.
Because of the poor transparency I’m not utilizing a decrease magnification to aim to watch close by nebulosity (Simeis 13, the northern a part of Courtès 102, the “Lobster Claw Nebula”).
Nothing spectacular, each value a point out nonetheless, is Berkeley 100. Some catalogs point out a bigger measurement than may be attributed to what I noticed: 4, and even 8 arcminutes in measurement. I consider a measurement of two arcminutes is extra becoming, and I’ll replace the observing guides that include this cluster accordingly.
17mm Nagler T4: Not recognizable as a cluster, total barely elongated WNW-ESE, consists of magazine. 11. and fainter stars, fanning out barely in the direction of the ESE. Centrally within the southern half a faint glow of unresolved stars is seen, barely grainy with AV. On the ESE edge is a magazine. 12.5 star.
To the SSE are a magazine. 11 (NNW) and a magazine. 13 (SSE) star aligned north to south (simply NNW-SSE), ±175°/10″ (not a double star in WDS).
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the faint glow on the south aspect of the cluster is a spherical glow, barely grainy with AV, a notable a part of the cluster. It makes me suspect that this half solely is probably the Berkeley cluster; some catalogs point out a bigger measurement.
One other one in all Cepheus’ higher clusters is NGC7762. It is scattered and its stars aren’t vibrant, however it’s bigger than most clusters I noticed up so far. Total, I discovered it to be considerably kite-shaped.
Fairly a big, scattered group, centrally richer and extra concentrated in fairly a small, north-south elongated half that on the south aspect curves in the direction of the SSE. On the NW aspect a definite department is seen in the direction of the NW, curving in the direction of the NNW with a yellowish magazine. 10.5 star on the finish. The cluster followers out in the direction of the SE the place it regularly turns into poorer however that does include the brightest stars of the cluster, magazine. 11 and fainter. Total the cluster considerably has a kite-shape that’s wider on the SE aspect and that tapers in the direction of the NW, roughly 1/2 FoV in measurement SE to NW and far narrower SW to NE, roughly 1/7 FoV. A pleasant cluster.
To the NE of the half that followers out is a white-yellow magazine. 9 star (SAO20898).
My last commentary in Cepheus was the “Polarissima Cluster”, NGC188. Regardless of it after all being a cluster, its patchy look at a decrease magnification (129×) someway introduced the galaxy NGC6946 – the “Fireworks Galaxy” in Cygnus to thoughts.
17mm Nagler T4: Fairly a indifferent, fairly concentrated cluster, 1/3 FoV in measurement, consists of magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars with exception of a yellowish magazine. 10.5 star on the western fringe of the cluster. Patchy with out use of AV, with AV extra stars resolve and darker elements are discernible within the cluster: straight SSW of the center on a line from WNW to ESE with a lane of stars south thereof, partly unresolved, aligned WSW to ENE. North thereof an open half is seen in a U-shape with the open aspect in the direction of the west wherein a number of magazine. 13 and fainter stars are aligned east to west. ENE of the U-shaped interruption the cluster is most concentrated. On the SE fringe of probably the most concentrated half are a magazine. 12.5 (SE) and a magazine. 13.5 (NW) star aligned SE to NE (not a double star in WDS). The central a part of the cluster has a barely bulging form with the bulge in the direction of the east. East thereof the cluster is fainter. A pleasant cluster regardless of it not being very vibrant.
22mm Nagler T4: This decrease magnification is a pleasant magnification for this cluster, the cluster is patchy, the U-shape interruption is discernible and the cluster (regardless of it being a cluster) jogs my memory of the galaxy NGC6946 (the “Fireworks Galaxy”) in Cygnus because it seems equally patchy.
As I leaned again to soak up the larger image, I observed the skies have been bettering. Anticipating that pattern to proceed, I took a break. After a drink, a snack and an inspection of Jupiter by means of David’s scope, I used to be again for clusters in Cassiopeia with CSOG’s 12-14″ OC-3 observing information as my… nicely… information.
The primary two clusters have been first time observations and each have been by all means definitely worth the effort. Additionally, each are, fittingly, “nr. 1’s”.
Alessi 1 is giant and required my lowest magnification eyepiece, a 31mm Nagler, to correctly body it.
Nearly filling the FoV, consists of principally magazine. 10 and fainter stars. Outstanding within the FoV is a proper angled triangle of two magazine. 7 stars and a magazine. 8 star with the suitable angle on the SW aspect (white-yellow magazine. 8 star) and the quick leg in the direction of the NNE, the lengthy leg in the direction of the ESE is well 1/2 FoV in size. The cluster is richest within the quick leg of the triangle the place a fanning out form of stars is seen to the NNE and the place the celebs of the cluster kind a considerably “Napoleon-hat form” with the bottom on the north aspect aligned WNW to ESE. East thereof fewer stars are seen. On the east aspect of the cluster, NW of the magazine. 7 star in de lengthy leg of the triangular form, is a SSW-NNE elongated half. A pleasant cluster.
Skiff 1 is way smaller and its faint stars made it seem as a grainy, V-shaped glow. Upping the magnification a bit didn’t make any distinction.
17mm Nagler T4: A grainy glow, fairly indifferent and nicely recognizable as a cluster. Kinds a notable triangular / V-shape of primarily magazine. 13 and fainter stars pointing NNE, a leg in the direction of the SW and a leg in the direction of the south. Centrally within the V-shape fewer stars are seen however does embrace one of many brighter stars of the cluster, roughly magazine. 11.5. To the SSW of that star an open half may be discerned. On the western fringe of the cluster is a pale orange magazine. 11 star (TYC4296-01455-1), fairly a definite shade.
12mm Nagler T4: As with 17mm.
NGC366, NGC381, NGC436 and NGC559 visited my eyepiece earlier than, however have been among the many nicer observations in Cassiopeia this night time.
NGC366
A small cluster, fairly nicely indifferent, fairly nicely acknowledged as a cluster. Centrally is a faint, SW-NE elongated lane of magazine. 13.5 and fainter stars. On the northern edge is a magazine. 12 star with a magazine. 14 star to its NNW, ±350°/6″ (double star Damm 304). With AV it’s clear that to the north of the lane of stars is one other faint lane operating west, with out AV solely 2 stars are seen at that place, aligned east to west, giving the NW a part of the cluster a V-shape with the open aspect in the direction of the WSW. SE of the V-shape is a gaggle of stars in a considerably triangular form with the bottom on the SE aspect aligned SE to NW, to the north thereof is a small, flattened triangle of magazine. 12 and fainter stars pointing south. No stars are seen centrally within the cluster. Not a big cluster and the celebs are usually not very vibrant, however nonetheless a exceptional form.
NGC381
Not very indifferent however nicely acknowledged as a cluster, not very concentrated, consists of magazine. 12 and fainter stars with exception of a single magazine. 11.5 star on the south aspect. The brightest stars of the cluster kind a tapering form pointing north. The cluster is roughly 1/8 FoV in measurement north to south.
NGC436
A SSE-NNW elongated group, not very indifferent however fairly nicely acknowledged as a cluster. Fanning out on the NW aspect in a large U- / V-shape of magazine. 12 and fainter stars with the open aspect in the direction of the NW the place the cluster is richer, the southernmost star therein isn’t vibrant however is clearly yellow. The cluster is richest on the north aspect of the form. To the SE of the form are 5 magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars in a line meandering from north to south, the northernmost of those stars are 2 stars aligned SSE to NNW, ±350°/3″ (elements A and B of the double star Stein 1550). To the NNE are a number of magazine. 12.5 and fainter stars aligned SE to NW, to the SW are fewer magazine. 12.5 and fainter stars aligned roughly SW to NE.
NGC559
A not very indifferent group however nicely recognizable as a cluster. Prominently on the east aspect is a SSW-NNE elongated V-shape of magazine. 11 and fainter stars with the brightest star within the tip on the SSW aspect. The brightest stars on the SSW aspect of the V-shape kind an elongated triangle pointing NNW. Barely any stars are seen centrally within the V-shape. To the WSW of the bottom of the V-shape is a glow of unresolved stars, most straight WSW of the form, adopted by a poorer area and a number of other magazine. 12.5 and fainter stars aligned NNE to SSW. A pleasant cluster.
A primary-timer and one I preferred much more, was NGC609. Grainy, as was Skiff 1, however extra concentrated and pleasant to a little bit of magnification.
17mm Nagler T4: A barely SE-NW elongated, irregular, grainy glow. With AV many magazine. 14.5 and fainter stars resolve. The cluster is richest on the SE aspect in a barely SW-NE elongated half. Centrally the cluster is poorer. On the NW aspect is a small, extra concentrated half. A pleasant cluster regardless of isn’t consisting of vibrant stars.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the cluster is extra grainy with out AV. With out AV two elements of the cluster are clearly discernible, as describe with 17mm.
I discovered NGC637 equally good. In comparison with a lot of the clusters that preceded it in Cassiopeia, its stars are undoubtedly brighter. Those within the northern a part of the cluster kind a outstanding U-shape.
On the north aspect of the cluster is a outstanding U-shape of magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars with the open aspect in the direction of the WNW (nearly due west), the southernmost star within the U-shape is magazine. 11.5 and is orange. South thereof (only a bit to the SSW) is a yellow magazine. 12.5 star, fairly a definite distinction between these two stars (elements A and B of the double star STI264, element C is a part of the U-shape however not described). South of those 2 stars extra stars are seen with AV, aligned east to west. On the southern edge, after a small interruption, is a magazine. 12 star. To the west of the open a part of the U-shape is a small group of magazine. 13.5 and fainter stars. Fairly a pleasant cluster.
A bigger, non-NGC or IC cluster and one that may be thought-about to be within the league of beforehand noticed Alessi 1 in the case of measurement and look, is Collinder 463. The notably golden-orange star SAO4487 that’s close to the center of the cluster enhanced the commentary, as did double star HJ (John Hershel) 1089 of which the first seems orange.
Nearly 2/3 FoV in measurement, a scattered group of magazine. 8 and fainter stars. Centrally within the cluster is a notable vibrant golden-orange magazine. 8 star (SAO4487). The cluster is barely poorer within the NE half. The cluster is richest ENE of SAO4487. To the SW of SAO4487 is an orange magazine. 9 star with a magazine. 10 star to its east (only a bit ENE), ±088°/20″ (elements A and B of the double star HJ1089), beginning there a definite department of the cluster is seen in the direction of the SSE. A pleasant cluster.
IC166 did to me what NGC188 in Cepheus did earlier this session: I discovered its glow considerably paying homage to an irregular galaxy. A little bit of magnification made it seem extra cluster-like.
17mm Nagler T4: A comparatively giant, irregular glow, subtly grainy with out AV, with AV a number of magazine. 14.5 and fainter stars resolve and the glow is extra grainy. The glow is a bit interrupted on the ESE aspect, SSE of the interruption is the brightest star of the cluster, roughly magazine. 13. With AV the cluster total is considerably V-shaped, pointing west. The cluster considerably seems as an irregular galaxy.
1/5 FoV to the WSW is a white magazine. 9.5 star (HIP8671).
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification, with out AV, the glow is grainy, particularly within the japanese a part of the cluster. With AV extra stars resolve in comparison with 17mm., once more particularly within the japanese half, on a line from SSE to NNW. A pleasant cluster regardless of it being faint.
Proper round midnight, earlier than taking one other break, there was one object in Cassiopeia that I wished to watch earlier than it dropped decrease within the sky. An off-the-beaten-path reflection nebula that I suspected to be vibrant sufficient for my aperture and one that may make a pleasant Deep Sky Forum Object of the Week. I used to be up as OotW creator in solely six days.
Neckel-Staude 2 didn’t disappoint. Clearly seen in each my and David’s scope with a little bit of element to select. Not the brightest object of the night time, however undoubtedly the spotlight of the session for me.
17mm Nagler T4: The nebula isn’t very vibrant however is clearly seen. The northern nebula is most outstanding, north of a faint star, roughly magazine. 14 (4UCAC729-007154) a small, faint glow is seen with out utilizing AV. Comparable stars within the FoV don’t present nebulosity. To the ESE is a magazine. 11.5 star (TYC3659-02105-1), no nebulosity is seen surrounding that star.
SSW of the nebulosity surrounding the magazine. 14 star is a magazine. 13 star (4UCAC729-007153) with a magazine. 12.5 star (4UCAC729-007145) to its WSW. NW of the magazine. 12.5 star is a faint glow, different stars within the FoV don’t present such a glow. Fainter however barely bigger than the nebulosity to the NE and simply seen with out AV.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the northern nebula, to the north of the magazine. 14 star, is on the restrict of visibility with out AV, clearer with AV and clearer than it was with 17mm. The SW nebula, NW of the magazine. 12.5 star, is faintly seen with AV however seems clearer in comparison with 17mm. The easternmost nebulosity isn’t seen.
All through the night time, I had a digicam on a hard and fast tripod clicking away, hoping to catch one thing good. No fireballs caught, however two meteors captured which might be value sharing.
With the skies transparency a lot improved, particularly at greater elevations, I dared to focus on a number of galaxies in Perseus. Seven ‘leftovers’ from the 12-14″ Gx-1 information for the constellation. Photographs under of KPG pairs (Karachentsev Remoted Pairs of Galaxies within the Northern Hemisphere) are from the upcoming CSOG 3.0 version.
The primary of those pairs, KPG 76, consists of the faint galaxies MCG+07-06-065 (PGC10435) & MCG+07-066 (PGC10440). Each have been seen, as was close by MCG+07-06-063 (PGC10401).
Each galaxies are seen.
The western galaxy A – MCG+07-06-065 is elongated east to west, barely fainter than the japanese galaxy B – MCG+07-06-066 is, regularly brighter within the center. With AV barely brighter in a small core that’s elongated in the identical course, no nucleus seen.
The japanese galaxy B – MCG+07-06-066 is a faint, spherical glow that’s regularly brighter within the center with out AV. With AV subtly elongated north to south and extra all of a sudden brighter in a spherical core. No nucleus seen.
1/5 FoV to the SE are 2 vibrant white magazine. 9.5 stars aligned WSW to ENE, simply over 1/2 FoV to the SW is the galaxy MCG+07-06-063.
Similar for KPG 79 that’s shaped by IC259 & IC258.
Each galaxies are seen.
The western galaxy A – IC259 is barely brighter than the japanese galaxy B – IC258 is, a SE-NW elongated glow, with out AV subtly brighter within the center, with AV regularly brighter within the center. Instantly NW is a magazine. 14 star (4UCAC656-011849).
The japanese galaxy B – IC258 is fainter, a SSE-NNW elongated streak, troublesome to watch with out AV, even in brightness, no change with AV. To the NE is a magazine. 14.5 star.
No such luck with KPG 77. Its A-galaxy MCG+06-07-009 (PGC10586), as anticipated, would require extra aperture than I presently have out there. Fortunately close by double star AG (Astronomische Gesellschaft) 51 enhanced the view and produced a pleasant bonus commentary.
Solely the northern galaxy B – MCG+06-07-010 is seen, a small, faint, spherical patch, even in brightness with out AV. With AV subtly brighter within the center with a faint nucleus.
The southern galaxy A – MCG+06-07-009 isn’t seen.
ESE of B – MCG+06-07-010 is the double star Astronomische Gesellschaft 51, a magazine. 10.5 and a magazine. 11.5 star aligned ESE to WNW, ±285°/9″.
Having noticed these galaxies in Perseus, I briefly returned to Cassiopeia for observations of two galaxies, one in all which is a latest addition to my observing guides. As soon as believed to be a nebula, Simeis 281 (PGC7247) is not vibrant however revealed some element.
The Simeis objects might be one other CSOG 3.0 version.
With out AV a barely SSW-NNE elongated, evenly vibrant glow. With AV extra elongated, an oval form and regularly brighter within the center; a small core that’s simply NNE of the center.
To the SE is a magazine. 13 star. To the SW are 2 magazine. 14 stars and a magazine. 14.5 star (the NE-most star) in a barely curved line that, from the south, curves in the direction of the NNE.
Nearly 1/2 FoV to the SE is a vibrant white-yellow magazine. 8 star (SAO4536).
The second galaxy in Cassiopeia was PGC2796995. For a 7 digit PGC galaxy, it actually is not that faint. Its core even appeared a bit offset to me.
A small, faint, spherical glow with fairly a vibrant nucleus that’s seen with out AV. With out AV little greater than the nucleus is seen. With AV it’s clearly not stellar, clearly a small, faint, spherical glow, fairly all of a sudden brighter in a small, spherical core.
To the north is a magazine. 14.5 star, 1/4 FoV to the ESE are 2 magazine. 13 stars aligned NNW to SSE, ±170°/6″ (not a double star in WDS).
With the time of night time that was now upon us, got here the second we deepsky-gazers all dread: Moonrise. Because of the mountains, that didn’t imply the top of the session simply but. It could be one other hour earlier than luna would shine over de ridge within the east. And regardless of the skies brightening, in the intervening time it remained a lot darker than it can ever get in my yard, making it greater than adequate for double star observations. So out got here the 17mm. Nagler and in got here the 16, 9, 5 & 3.5mm eyepieces. Constellation of selection was, for the third time this night time, the celestial Queen.
The second double noticed was a showpiece: Iota Cassiopeia, a.okay.a. STF262. It is one which performs an good trick on the attention. The first element is vibrant and white, inflicting the not too faint secondary to come back throughout as light-greenish. A phenomenon that I encountered a number of instances earlier than, as famous in earlier blogs, for 49 Cygni (STF2117 – 13 September 2020), Rho Orionis (STF654 – 23 February 2022) and STF1521 (25 April 2022).
My observing log tells me the identical occurs to stars flanking Iota Orionis (STF752), Lambda Orionis (STF738), Alpha Herculis (STF2140), Delta Serpentis (STF1954, in Serpens Caput), STF3044 in Pegasus and STT59 in Perseus.
As well as, Iota Cassiopeiae’s different two splittable elements revealed some shade, too.
AaAb (sep. 0.6″ WDS2023.8) and CaCb (sep. 0.2″ WDS2023.8) not break up, ABCD break up. A really stunning double, the (obvious) shade of B is notable.
A is vibrant white, B is light-greenish, C is orange (a definite, fairly deep shade), D is yellow (fairly a deep shade).
A distinct hue, however very fairly as nicely, have been seen in elements A and B of STF283. I described them as vibrant golden-orange.
16mm Nagler T5: ABC break up, C is seen with out AV. A phenomenal double.
A and B are vibrant golden-orange stars of equal brightness, C is faint and is colorless.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification it’s clear that B is half a magnitude fainter than A is.
Each are vibrant golden orange.
The identical applies to element A of STF321, however flanked by a secondary that, though faint, appeared metal blue.
16mm Nagler T5: AB break up. Fairly vast however a really stunning double.
A is golden-orange, B is metal blue, very clearly contrasting.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification de shade of B is even clearer, a definite deep blue shade, very fantastically contrasting with A that itself has an exquisite, deep shade.
With 17 doubles in Cassiopeia within the bag, I known as it an evening. A rewarding session regardless of initially poor situations. In case following nights wouldn’t enable for first rate galaxy observations, I knew extra open clusters would offer me with all of the leisure I wanted.
Observations
41 open clusters
1 nebula
13 galaxies
30 double stars
Whole: 85 observations
First time observations: 32 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk under.
click on right here for my observing log
