7 November – weblog 2 of two
The primary day of any astrotrip is all the time a busy one. A day later, the mud has settled. All gear is sorted and in place and there’s little extra to do than to chill out, benefit from the environment, tweak an observing plan and to attend for dusk.
As there was ample time for alternate actions in daytime, we made an effort to make the journey worthwhile on a culinary degree, too. When doing so one has to make do with what a vacation residence gives. That additionally means one might be compelled to chop one’s sushi rolls with a butter knife.
Having noticed largely open cluster within the previous night time as a consequence of lower than optimum atmospheric situations, I anticipated extra of them at greater elevations, in Cassiopeia and in Perseus, within the night time forward. The night time’s climate forecast was favorable and so was the outlook for the times and nights forward.
I kicked off the session in Cepheus with a number of double stars. Three have been above common: STF11, STF13 & STF18. The primary pair revealed a definite distinction in shade, the second required some effort to separate and the third pair offered comparable, but contrasting hues.
STF11
16mm Nagler T5: AB break up.
A is vibrant white-yellow, B is mild grey-blueish, a refined blueish hue.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification B once more is light-blueish. Not a vibrant star however fairly a pleasant double nonetheless.
STF13
16mm Nagler T5: Utilizing this magnification AB shouldn’t be break up, however each stars are clearly seen, forming a “figure-of-eight”.
A and B are equally vibrant and each are vibrant white.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification A and B are “kissing”.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification AB is break up. Fairly a pleasant double.
STF18
AB break up. Fairly a pleasant double.
A is white-yellow, B is yellow, clearly a deeper hue than that of A.
1/4 FoV to the NNE are a magazine. 12 (NNW) and a magazine. 12.5 (SSE) aligned NNW to SSE, ±170°/3″ (not a double star in WDS).
STF34 was the Struve double that adopted. As I logged that remark the very same factor that compelled a break in observing the night time earlier than, occurred once more: clouds rolled in. It took an hour for the final ones to depart.
One double in Cepheus that I had been trying forwards to watch, is Kruger 60 (WDS22280+5742), ever because it was posted over a 12 months in the past on the Amastro group. It took some effort and time to type out the numerous elements. Right away, it was evident that the place angle for elements A and B in WDS is off by >25°. Part A did present shade, although, however not as putting as element C did. Aside from these two, solely element ‘I’ displayed a refined hue; others are too faint for my scope to return throughout as something higher than gray, regardless of their promising spectra. Ultimately, elements J, Ok, L, R, S and U remained elusive, which is to be anticipated in my aperture. That being mentioned, I did observe element Q at a listed magnitude of 15.7. Goes to indicate that it is all the time price to examine a place (learn: a postion angle and a separation), because it occurs very often {that a} element deemed to faint for remark as a consequence of its listed magnitude, is in truth seen.
16mm Nagler T5: ABCDEFGHIO break up. The PA of AB shouldn’t be 207° (WDS2023.8), is roughly 180°. D, G and O are seen solely with AV, G is on the restrict of visibility with out AV. J, Ok, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S and U should not seen.
A is orange, a definite however not very deep shade. B is a gray pinprick south of A. C is fantastically orange-red, clearly a a lot deeper shade than that of A. D, E, F, G, H, J and O are faint and colorless. I is extensive and is white-yellow, not a deep shade.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification it’s clear that the PA of AB is roughly 175°, B is roughly magazine. 12.5, clearly fainter than magazine. 11.4 in WDS2023.8.
Utilizing this magnification M is seen, faint and colorless. N, P, Q and U are seen with AV. J, Ok, L, R, S and U should not seen.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification shade can solely be discerned in elements A, C and I.
A is vibrant orange, a definite shade. C is deep orange, a a lot deeper shade than that of A. I is white-yellow.
sixth Commentary in Cepheus was an object that was as soon as believed to be nebulous. Sven Cederblad set the file straight for the asterism that’s IC1378. Even when there is not any nebulosity, the little group of stars was nonetheless price a peek. The picture beneath is from the upcoming CSOG 3.0 Cederblad version.
A considerably indifferent, barely east-west elongated group of magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars. The brightest star is on the ENE facet. The asterism has an irregular U-shape with the open facet in the direction of the NNE with a magazine. 12.5 star within the center.
To the SSW is a barely crooked trapezium of 4 stars aligned NW to SE with a fifth star in the midst of the form.
Because the skies continued to improved I logged 4 extra doubles, this time in Cassiopeia. STT490 was the prettiest.
16mm Nagler T5: AB is break up, is clearly elongated on the PA however no particular person stars might be discerned. ACD break up.
A is vibrant golden-orange, a definite shade, C is extensive and is deep orange, clearly a a lot deeper hue than that of A.
To the NW of D, ±320°/40″ is a star that’s simply fainter, roughly magazine. 11.5. To the SE of D, ±135°/70″ is a magazine. 12 star.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification AB is clearly break up. Fairly a pleasant double.
B is a white-grey pinprick NNW of A.
With the clouds gone the skies have been rather a lot higher than the night time earlier than. I dared to foray nearer to the southern horizon once more to see what the transparency was as much as. Alas, the faint galaxies I hoped to seize remained out of attain. Whereas, in Aquarius, I used to be capable of choose up Arp 295’s galaxies MCG-01-60-021 (PGC72139) & MCG-01-60-022 (PGC72139), close by PGC72137 that I hoped to log an remark for under briefly jumped into sight, identical to NGC7402 had managed to do the night time earlier than. Small and faint PGC3083323 did play good, however it was clear that it was higher to intention greater.
Each galaxies are seen.
The SW galaxy MCG-01-60-021 (PGC72139) is a really faint, NE-SW elongated streak, troublesome to watch with out AV. With AV barely bigger, extra elongated and step by step brighter within the center, no core seen and no nucleus seen. To the SE is a magazine. 14 star.
The NE galaxy MCG-01-60-022 (PGC72155) is an oval, east-west elongated glow, with out AV virtually spherical, with AV barely extra elongated and step by step brighter within the center. To the ENE is a pale orange magazine. 10.5 star (TYC5255-00308-1).
The small galaxy PGC72137 to the NW of MCG-01-60-021 very briefly jumped into view however couldn’t be held (additionally tried use the decrease magnification of 22mm.).
To the NNE of MGC-01-60-022 is the galaxy PGC3083323 that’s seen solely with AV, farther to the NW is IC1505.
Two galaxy pairs within the southeastern area of Pegasus have been on my needed checklist: KPG 599 (IC1518 & IC1519) and Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 860 (MCG+03-01-024 & MCG+03-01-023), a.okay.a. KPG 1. In each pairs, each at an elevation of about 60°, each galaxies have been seen. Pictures beneath are from the upcoming CSOG 3.0 KPG version.
Each galaxies are seen, however solely with AV, very faint.
The small, faint, spherical patches aligned NW to SE, each subtly and step by step brighter within the center. No nucleus seen.
To the NW consistent with the galaxies is a magazine. 14 star.
Each galaxies are seen.
The southern galaxy MCG+03-01-023 (KPG 1A) is barely bigger and barely extra elongated than the northern galaxy MCG+03-01-024 (KPG 1B) is, elongated ENE to WSW, even in brightness. No nucleus seen.
The northern galaxy MCG+03-01-024 (KPG 1B) is clearly extra bulging and is only a bit smaller than the southern galaxy MCG+03-01-023 (KPG 1A) is, barely elongated east to west, step by step brighter within the center. No nucleus seen.
To the NW is a “hockeystick-shape” of magazine. 11 stars with the quick facet on the south facet aligned NW to SE that time south of the galaxies. To the NE is a crooked Y-shape of magazine. 11 stars with the highest of the “Y” on the NW facet.
From the mythological horse to the princess for some extra. One other remark for the group Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 166 to see whether or not I might pick extra of its members than I did again in 2013 utilizing a 12″ scope.
Pictures beneath are from the Arp version; the three galaxies that type Arp 113 are a part of the bigger Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov group. All however one of many group’s member additionally type Holmberg 6. The letters used within the remark notes reference the Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov designations, not the Holmberg ones.
With a little bit of time and endurance, I managed to pick another member: NGC67. Its neighbor NGC67A remained hidden.
A – NGC70, B – NGC68 and C – NGC71 (that type Arp 113) bounce into view right away. A pleasant group.
A – NGC70 is the biggest galaxy, a spherical glow, step by step brighter within the center with a really vibrant nucleus that’s clearly seen with out AV, resembles a magazine. 13.5 star. To the SSW is a magazine. 14 star (4UCAC601-000854).
SSE thereof is C – NGC71, smaller than A – NGC70 is, fairly abruptly brighter in a small, spherical core, no nucleus seen. To the NE is magazine. 13.5 star that’s equal in brightness to the nucleus of A – NGC70.
B – NGC68 is a spherical glow, brighter than C – NGC71 is, fairly abruptly brighter in a comparatively giant, spherical core, with AV the nucleus is faintly seen.
D – NGC72 is seen to the SE of C, an east-west elongated glow, even in brightness with out AV, with AV brighter in a comparatively giant core that’s elongated in the identical route, no nucleus seen.
H – NGC72A is seen, ESE of D – NGC72, a smaller, fainter, spherical glow, step by step brighter within the center, with AV the nucleus is faintly seen. To the east is a magazine. 14.5 star, that star is only a bit brighter than the nucleus of H – NGC72A is.
E – NGC69 is seen to the west of D – NGC72, a small, faint, spherical glow, solely seen with AV, even in brightness, no element seen.
Initially, I didn’t see G – NGC67, however I did after some time, solely seen with AV: a small, faint, barely east-west elongated glow, even in brightness, no element seen.
F – NGC67A shouldn’t be seen.
Better of the galaxies and galaxy teams in Andromeda was NGC523 a.okay.a. Arp 158. This one is distinctly irregular and that element was a pleasure to watch.
An irregular, east-west elongated streak, with out AV solely the western half is clearly seen with the star 4UCAC621-004127 (roughly magazine. 14.5) superimposed.
With AV the japanese a part of the galaxy is irregular and clearly wider north to south, thereby the irregular form of the galaxy is discernible. Irregular construction is discernible and straight ESE of the center of the broader half a nucleus or a knot is typically seen however I cannot maintain it repeatedly.
Fairly a outstanding object, regardless of it not being a vibrant galaxy.
Last objects in Andromeda have been within the grand galaxy of the constellation: M31. Two comparatively vibrant star clouds that reside inside it. First of those was a brand new one for me: Van den Bergh 184 was faint however with some assist from averted imaginative and prescient it wasn’t too troublesome of an remark, even when it refused to disclose any element. NGC206 was a lot brighter. Curiously sufficient, I famous it brightest south of the center the place imagery reveals it’s brighter to the north… did I misspeak once I logged my remark? Oh effectively, a cause to revisit. Additionally as a result of there are positive to be extra comparatively vibrant specks in M31 to pick. However that is for one more night time.
Van den Bergh 184
17mm Nagler T4: With out AV on the restrict of visibility, with AV a faint, irregular glow, roughly equivalent in measurement to the galaxy I noticed earlier than this one (MCG+06-05-020). Clearly seen however not resolvable. Is to the north of a magazine. 13 star (4UCAC650-002417), to the WSW (virtually due west) of that magazine. 13 star is a magazine. 10.5 star (TYC2788-00427-1).
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification , with out AV, the star cloud is simply seen however no more is seen than was with 17mm.
NGC206
A north-south elongated, oval glow, with AV brighter within the center and clearly irregular (however nothing resolves), brightest south of the center. On the southern edge is a magazine. 15 star.
To the NW is a small, crooked triangle of magazine. 13.5 and fainter stars. To the NE is a magazine. 12.5 star. The encompassing area is clearly brighter as a result of glow of the galaxy Messier 31.
Subsequent area to discover was to be nearer to the zenith. Extra open clusters. For a little bit of variation I made a decision to deal with Perseus as an alternative of on Cassiopeia once more. The primary of them within the 12-14″ OC information for the constellation was one of many higher ones of the night time: Inventory 4.
This cluster is above common in measurement, however it’s scattered, the celebrities that type it aren’t too vibrant and it isn’t too effectively indifferent from the encompassing star area. Nonetheless, I discovered it a pleasant group, particularly with use of a decrease magnification.
26mm Nagler T5: 2/3 FoV in measurement east to west, not indifferent however recognizable as a cluster. Consists of magazine. 10.5 and fainter stars, the background is diffuse. The japanese a part of the cluster is barely elongated ESE to WNW, west thereof is an interruption on a line from SSE to NNE. The western a part of the cluster is elongated SSW to NNE with a curved form of stars on the NNE facet, with the open facet in the direction of the north. A pleasant cluster.
31mm Nagler T5: A pleasant magnification for this cluster, east to west the cluster is roughly 1/2 FoV in measurement, 1/5 FoV north to south.
One other pleasing non-NGC cluster in Perseus is King 5. It consists of faint stars however it’s not too small and it is fairly concentrated, with notable lanes of stars working by means of the cluster from roughly east to west.
Faint however indifferent and effectively recognizable as a cluster, consists of largely magazine. 12.5 and fainter stars. As an entire elongated east to west and extra concentrated within the easter half the place notable, irregular lanes of stars are seen: centrally a lane of stars is seen working SE to NW, SW thereof is a shorter lane of stars, oriented identically however shorter. To the NNE of the central lane of stars is a lane of stars that’s, in comparison with the central lane, barely tilted, working from ESE to WNW with a yellow magazine. 11.5 star on the japanese edge (faint however the shade is distinct). The central lane of stars consists of stars which can be barely brighter than these of the northern and southern lane. Faint however a pleasant cluster.
Three pleasing NGC’s, noticed in sequence, have been NGC1513, NGC1528 & NGC1545. The primary two of those has a pleasant S-shape on show. The second is a little more scattered however consists of brighter stars. The third lacks a focus however has a wonderful coloured star simply south of the center that, together with a South and a Struve double star that reside throughout the cluster’s boundaries, makes it all of the extra worthwhile.
The cluster consists of primarily magazine. 11 and fainter stars and has a notable S-shape aligned SE to NW: beginning within the SE and working in the direction of the NW, abruptly bending in the direction of the WSW, then step by step curving in the direction of the NNE, then again in the direction of the ESE. On the ESE edge is a yellowish magazine. 10.5 star, the cluster is barely richter WSW of that star. The cluster is richest within the southern half on the “open facet” of the S-shape, within the northern “open half” of the form there are barely any stars observable. The western half is richer in a component extending SSE to NNW. Fairly a pleasant cluster.
A pleasant, giant cluster, scattered, consists of magazine. 9 and fainter stars, general barely elongated ESE to WNW. Extra concentrated NE of the center, poorer within the SW half. Tapering in the direction of the NE the place the cluster has a considerably pointy form. On the SW facet the cluster is clearly flattened on a line from SE to NW.
A scattered group, fairly indifferent, roughly 1/3 FoV in measurement, consists of magazine. 8 and fainter stars. South of the center is a vibrant golden-orange magazine. 8 star, a wonderful, notable shade. NW thereof is a yellowish magazine. 8.5 star (elements A and B of the double star South 445, C and D not described). On the NNW edge are a vibrant golden-yellow magazine. 8.5 star (SSE) and a blueish magazine. 10.5 star aligned SSE to NNW, 350°/10″ (elements A and B of the double star STF519, a wonderful double). The cluster is flattened on the NW facet on a line from SW to NE.
The second to final cluster of the night time, faint Berkeley 68, has a nebululous neighbor. Some star charts have it depicted as a Magakian object; as a designation, that’s incorrect. It’s nevertheless an entry within the Merged Catalog of Reflection Nebulae, compiled by Tigran Magakian. For us observers, it is a good goal as it isn’t too faint and this night time it made for an attention-grabbing bonus remark.
Berkeley 68
A curved form with a extra concentrated, spherical half on the east facet, 2/3 FoV in measurement east to west. Total has a “snail-shape” with the spherical half because the “shell” on the east facet, from which out of the NW half a lane of stars curves in the direction of the SW. Centrally in that line is a vibrant golden-orange magazine. 7.5 star (SAO39578). The lane of stars in the direction of the SW clearly consist of two half. On the southern fringe of the japanese a part of the cluster is a yellow magazine. 8 star, a notable shade (SAO39583). A pleasant cluster.
GN 04.41.8
Sharing the FoV with the open cluster Berkeley 68, 1/3 FoV to the NW: a faint glow surrounding a magazine. 11 star (TYC2901-00180-1) with a magazine. 12.5 to its WSW (virtually due west). Barely elongated east to west and clearly brighter to the east of the magazine. 11 star. The glow stretches farther in the direction of the north of the magazine. 11 star than it does to the south. To the SE, indifferent from the glow, is a magazine. 12 star.
Having noticed 32 open clusters in Perseus and feeling fairly fatigued, I known as it quits and zipped the observatory closed. I left my cameras clicking till morning mild. Scrolling by means of the pictures, I discovered a number of good meteors price sharing.
One of many meteors captured, center picture within the gallery above, left a persistent smoke path. Under is a compilation of cropped pictures at 25fps and 15fps.
Finest picture was the one beneath, with the Alps bathing in moonlight and a suspected Leonid passing by.
8 November
All through the day, the forecast regarded promising. Skies have been good and blue with solely temporary interruptions of clouds and there was each cause to consider the clear spells would final effectively into the night time.
It was to not be. Because the skies darkened, the enemy approached from the west. Having noticed solely 5 double stars in Draco, excessive clouds known as an finish to the session even earlier than it was effectively underway.
Fairly the bummer, however not less than the sky allowed the remark of a wonderful transit on Jupiter by means of David’s scope. With the planet close to opposition, Io’s shadow intently trailed the Jovian moon and together with the moon crossing the planets limb, that was nothing wanting spectacular. The picture beneath is a display screen seize from Sky & Telescope’s Jupiter’s Moons app.
– Blog continues below the observations table –
Observations 7 & 8 November
32 open clusters
1 nebula
11 galaxies
20 double stars
1 asterism
2 different
Whole: 67 observations
First time observations: 230 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk beneath.
click on right here for my observing log
9 – 12 November
The remaining days of the journey the climate was ever nicer and when showers handed, the sights within the mountains have been usually breathtaking. Nights have been a special story and cloud cowl was persistent every time it was darkish.
Astrobuddy David on the inbound leg of a beer run, with Alpine backdrop.
The second to final day we hiked a path to the south. Principally downhill for the primary half and many steep the second, however nothing that ruined the stroll.
That night time we packed and all that was left to do on the day of departure was to tear down the telescope and stow a soaking moist observatory tent into the trunk of my automotive. The highway down the mountain was bumpy and scratchy once more, however as soon as on paved highway the 9 hour drive that remained allowed for loads of time to mesmerize concerning the subsequent astronomy journey.
Observations astrotrip Mornans, autumn 2023
73 open clusters
2 nebulae
24 galaxies & galaxy teams
50 double stars
1 asterism
2 different
Whole: 152 observations
First time observations: 62 objects
