5 August
all photos of observing guides on this weblog are from CSOG 3.0, to be revealed later this 12 months
It was the twenty sixth of June when my cellphone stated *ding*. Astrobuddy Dick van Kleef requested me to affix him and his buddy Han van Biezen for per week of stargazing in France. I turned my head to my higher half Daniëlle and stated:
“I could possibly go to France the primary week of Augu…”
“Certain, appears like enjoyable!” was her reply.
Aight. That settled that. Time to compile an observing plan for summer season skies.
The morning of August third I packed the automotive and set out for the drive south. The promise of a black Saturday on the roads to and from France turned out to be a false prophecy and the inbound drive solely took 1 / 4 of an hour longer than it could have taken on another day. Nonetheless, there was the deja vu false sense of arrival as soon as off the freeway simply south of Bastogne. The final stretch of the journey on nation roads all the time makes me really feel like I’m mere minutes away from my vacation spot: reality is that it is nonetheless one other hour and a half from there.
Dick and Han arrived shortly earlier than I did and have been nearly prepared dragging all their gear into our dwelling for the week. With their assist I, too, was settled in, in beneath ten minutes. With clouds dominating the forecast for that first evening, I opted to fireside up the grill in lieu of organising my scope. With two hens skewered and the rotisserie doing its rounds, we spent the night watching the Olympics.
Now, the three of us, we’re actually athletic. Sure we’re! Working, biking, swimming, observe & subject, rowing, subject hockey, judo, basketball: we watched all of it.
The next day there was ample time to arrange, however observations must wait till the fifth.
The forecasts proclaimed clear skies in unison on Monday. It was certain to be an all-nighter, albeit is a brief one with solely 4 1/2 hours of complete darkness this time of 12 months.
With the scope dialed in I discovered myself twiddling my thumbs for quarter-hour till the skies have been sufficiently darkish to begin observing. Earlier than the tip of night astronomical twilight was upon us, I noticed some double stars in Aquila. Right away it was apparent the seeing was fairly darn good. The transparency wasn’t half dangerous, both.
Of the ten doubles noticed, I preferred 23 Aquilae (STF2492) finest, as parts A & B have distinct and strongly contrasting colours.
16mm Nagler T5: AB cut up, C isn’t seen. A really stunning double.
A is vivid yellow-orange, fairly a fiery shade however extra yellow than orange, B is mild blue (initially appeared orange), clearly contrasting.
9mm Nagler T6: B is mild blue, very clearly contrasting with A. With AV C typically jumps into view however can’t be held constantly.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification B is clearly coloured mild blue and utilizing AV C is clearly seen and simply held.
STF2644 and 2967 have been greater than respectable as effectively. The primary pair sport equally vivid pure white parts.
AB cut up. White stars of equal brightness. A pleasant double.
The second was a pleasure to watch because of the shade of its major, that rivals a number of the higher carbon stars.
AB cut up.
A is fiery orange, a phenomenal, vivid, deep shade, resembles a pleasant carbon star. B is vast and is gray.
1/4 FoV to the ESE is a magazine. 10.5 star with a magazine. 11.5 star to its WSW, ±260°/35″; sep. simply bigger than that of AB of STF2697 (not a double star in WDS).
With lower than half an hour to go earlier than midnight, the solar reached its elevation of -18°. The tip of astronomical twilight and the beginning of deepsky observations: galaxies in Hercules. Particularly, ones which can be a part of my observing plan (you guessed it, CSOG’s 12-14″ version) however up till now had managed to flee my observing log. With the constellation nonetheless lots excessive within the southwest, that was to vary for 27 of them.
Not one of many A-team however by all means price mentioning was MCG+07-34-001 (PGC57882), even when close by PGC214485 remained elusive. Averted imaginative and prescient revealed a barely offset core. The star on the northwestern edge performed disguise and search, however proved to be simply too faint to name it a seize.
A faint, ENE-WSW elongated glow, fairly all of a sudden barely brighter in a small, spherical core. With AV the core is barely bigger and barely elongated east to west, barely offset in relation to the fainter outer glow of the galaxy, which is notable. No nucleus seen. The star USNO461646320 on the NW edge typically appears to leap into view however can’t be held.
The WNW galaxy PGC214485 isn’t seen.
NGC6150A & NGC6150B kind the pair Holmberg 748. Each have been simply noticed with the northeastern galaxy barely bigger, brighter and sporting a nucleus.
Each galaxies are seen.
A – NGC6150A is the brighter NE galaxy, elongated ENE-WSW and step by step brighter within the center, the fairly vivid nucleus is simply seen with out AV.
B – NGC6150B is the smaller and fainter SW galaxy, with out AV spherical, with AV barely elongated NW-SE.
1/3 FoV to the east is the galaxy MCG+07-34-033 (PGC58135), 1/3 FoV to the south is the galaxy MCG+07-34-028 (PGC58102).
Hickson 82 produced 3 out of 4. Solely the group’s D galaxy couldn’t be glimpsed. It did assist to put the magazine. 8 ½ star to the southwest simply outdoors the sphere of view.
A – NGC6162, B – NGC6163 and C – NGC6161 are seen, D – MCG+06-36-046 isn’t seen.
A – NGC6162 is the western galaxy of the 2 northern galaxies, bigger and brighter than B – NGC6163 is, a barely NE-SW elongated glow, fairly all of a sudden brighter in a core that’s barely elongated in the identical route. With AV the nucleus is faintly seen.
The japanese galaxy of the 2 northern galaxies B – NGC6163 is smaller and significantly fainter than A – NGC6162 is, a barely north-south elongated glow, even in brightness with out AV, with AV subtly brighter within the center however no nucleus and no core seen.
With AV C – NGC6161 is seen to the south of A – NGC6162, solely seen with AV, a really faint, barely north-south elongated glow, even in brightness, no element seen.
D – MCG+06-36-046 (PGC58231) to the west of C – NGC6161 isn’t seen.
1/4 FoV to the SW is a vivid white magazine. 8.5 star (SAO65302), the galaxies are simpler to watch when the star is outdoors the FoV.
Following the Hickson was one other Holmberg: nr. 751. I used to be unable to make out element A’s 7-digit PGC companions, however in any other case all 5 of the group’s members have been bagged, together with bonus PGC58245.
A – NGC6166 instantly jumps into view, fairly a big and vivid, NE-SW elongated oval glow, fairly all of a sudden brighter in a central half that’s elongated in the identical route, with AV is it’s clear that it is a core. No nucleus seen. PGC3084828 and PGC5092794 cannot be distinguished. The galaxy PGC58253 to the WSW isn’t seen.
B – NGC6166A to the SW of A – NGC6166 is barely seen with AV.
E – NGC6166D to the south of A is seen: a small, faint, spherical glow, no element seen, seen with out AV.
To the west of E – NGC6166D the galaxy PGC58245 is seen (not a member of Holmberg 751, typically designated NGC6166A), barely fainter than E – NGC6166D is, a small, faint, spherical glow, seen with out AV. Varieties a triangle with B – NGC6166A and E – NGC6166D, with B – NGC6166A within the tip pointing north.
To the WNW of A – NGC6166 is D – NGC6166C, a faint, spherical glow, even in brightness, no element seen.
To the ENE of A – NGC6166 is C – NGC6166B, barely fainter than D – NGC6166C is, a spherical glow, no element seen.
Arp 73 is one vivid IC and one very faint PGC. I solely noticed the IC and located it to be comparatively massive in comparison with the previous galaxies of this session.
Solely IC1222 is seen, a comparatively massive (in comparison with the galaxies I noticed earlier tonight), very faint, NE-SW elongated glow, step by step subtly brighter within the center. With AV barely extra elongated but additionally barely extra bulging east to west, which is notable. With AV very subtly irregular however no spiral construction is discernible.
PGC2277264 isn’t seen.
“Zwicky’s Triplet” (Arp 103) was subsequent. The 2 southern galaxies of this group kind Holmberg 757. This evening, the triplet was solely a doublet, as I used to be unable to watch PGC59062 (Holmberg 757B).
The SSW galaxy MCG+08-31-003 (Holmberg 757A, PGC59061) instantly jumps into view, a spherical glow, step by step brighter within the center, with AV fairly all of a sudden brighter within the center, no nucleus seen.
The galaxy PGC59062 (Holmberg 757B) to the WSW of MCG+08-31-003 isn’t seen.
With AV the NNE galaxy MCG+08-31-003A (PGC59065) is seen, immediately SSW of a magazine. 12 star, a small, faint, spherical glow, troublesome to watch with out AV. With AV subtly brighter within the center, no nucleus seen.
A triplet that did reveal all of its members was KTG 66.
All three galaxies are seen.
A – MCG+07-35-009 (PGC59313) is a small, faint, barely north-south elongated glow south of a magazine. 13 star. With out AV subtly brighter within the center, with AV barely extra all of a sudden brighter within the center however no core discernible, no nucleus seen.
B – MCG+07-35-012 (PGC59319) and C – MCG+07-35-011 (PGC59321) are aligned north to south, within the southern galaxy B – MCG+07-35-012 fairly a vivid nucleus is seen with out AV inflicting the galaxy to seem like brighter than the northern galaxy C – MCG+07-35-011. Each galaxies are small, faint patch. The nucleus within the northern galaxy C – MCG+07-35-011 is fainter and is barely seen with AV.
In KPG 523 the bigger and brighter japanese galaxy revealed a core and vivid nucleus. The smaller western galaxy solely appeared step by step brighter within the center.
Each galaxies are seen.
B – NGC6447 is the brighter japanese galaxy, with out AV a spherical glow, fairly all of a sudden brighter in a spherical core with fairly a vivid nucleus that’s seen with out AV. With AV barely bigger, barely elongated NNE to SSW and clearly all of a sudden brighter in a small core.
To the WSW of B – NGC6447 is the smaller and fainter galaxy A – NGC6446, clearly seen with out AV, a spherical glow, step by step brighter within the center, no nucleus seen.
To the ESE of B – NGC6447 are 3 magazine. 13 and fainter stars in a notable, barely curved form aligned SSE to NNW with the bulging aspect in the direction of the ENE.
MCG+05-42-013 (PGC61080) was the second to final galaxy noticed in Hercules, however was by far the most effective galaxy commentary of the evening. Its distinct form was one to recollect.
A faint NW-SE elongated streak that, utilizing AV, is subtly brighter SW of the center. No core discernible and no nucleus seen. With AV the galaxy has a barely curved form with the bulging aspect on the SW aspect. To the WSW is a magazine. 12.5 star; the bulge factors south of that star. The darkish half on the NE aspect can’t be discerned however the faint curved form is notable with the concave aspect on the NE aspect. There is no such thing as a clear transition of the brighter to the fainter components of the galaxy. In the direction of the NE the galaxy curves and turns into step by step fainter, in the direction of the SE the galaxy is barely extra all of a sudden fainter.
Closing commentary in Hercules was NGC6582 (a.okay.a. Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 818) that’s made up of two galaxies. Each are small, faint, spherical glows however the east-southeastern one revealed a faint nucleus.
Each galaxies are seen.
The ESE galaxy MCG+08-33-030 (KPG 531B, PGC61513) is brighter than the WNW galaxy MCG+08-33-029 (KPG 531A, PGC61510) is. Each galaxies are a small, faint, spherical glow. The ESE galaxy MCG+08-33-030 is barely bigger and is subtly brighter than the WNW galaxy MCG+08-33-029 is, step by step brighter within the center, with AV the nucleus is faintly seen. The WNW galaxy MCG+08-33-029 is barely extra all of a sudden brighter within the center, no nucleus seen.
Earlier than taking a break, I tried a nova shell, additionally in Hercules. It was unable to watch Cederblad 155 (DQ Herculis), however I’ll undoubtedly make one other try beneath higher skies, as a recent image utilizing an 8″ SCT proves it is nonetheless on the market.
Again on the eyepiece I swung the scope to Cygnus for the nebulae in CSOG 3.0’s 12-14″ Neb-1 information for the constellation.
First object within the Swan was NGC6857, that’s surrounded by fainter nebulosity that goes by Sharpless 2-100. That fainter Sharpless nebula was out of attain, as was Kohoutek 3-50, however the NGC was a simple commentary and close by Minkowski 1-96 & 1-97 have been noticed, too. A UHC filter did assist.
The pictures of the observing information under are from CSOG’s upcoming Sharpless version.
17mm Nagler T4: Unfiltered, NGC6857 is well missed, solely a really faint glow is seen. It’s clear that solely the brighter WSW a part of NGC6857 is seen.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this the NGC6857 a part of the nebula may be very clear, an irregularly spherical glow, with AV barely elongated NNW to SSE and on the east aspect flattened on a line from NNE to SSW and brightest within the WSW half. With AV a “chew” is taken, very subtly, from the east aspect of the nebula with the concave aspect faint east. To the WSW is a magazine. 11 star.
The faint outer a part of the nebula (Sharpless 2-100) are usually not seen. Kohoutek 3-50 isn’t seen.
To the NNW is the nebula Minkowski 1-97 that’s solely seen with a filter and with use of AV, 3 occasions that distance in the direction of the WSW is Minkowski 1-96.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is akin to that of the UHC filter however the UHC filter has the higher impact.
12mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC, OIII, Hydrogen-Beta: Utilizing this magnification and these filters Kohoutek 3-50 isn’t seen, both.
Subsequent have been two small reflection nebulae: Rojkovskij-Kurchakov 99 and Gyulbudaghian-Magakian 1-77. Now say that thrice quick.
To watch the Rojkovskij-Kurchakov, one must know precisely the place to look. Fortunately it is a part of a bit rhombus of stars. That helps. The Gyulbudaghian-Magakian truly consists of two nebulae. The fainter southwestern nebula mimics the Rojkovskij-Kurchakov, however the northeastern one is far simpler.
17mm Nagler T4: On the SSW aspect of an east-west elongated, flattened, crooked rhombus of magazine. 12 and fainter stars (the western stars is the brightest, roughly magazine. 12). With out AV it resembles a small and faint planetary nebula, with AV it is a barely “wooly” little star (4UCAC629-088733, roughly magazine. 12.5) that’s barely bigger than it’s with out AV, whereas the opposite stars within the little rhombus don’t present such an impact, very faint and really delicate. The glow is barely clearer to the NW of the star. Simply missed.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the wooly impact isn’t seen however to the NW of the star a really faint glow is seen, very delicate. The glow isn’t seen on different sides of the celebs neither is it within the different stars of the little rhombus.
17mm Nagler T4: Each little nebulae are seen.
The NE nebula is the clearest, significantly clear than Rojkovskij-Kurchakov 99 is that I noticed earlier than this one. A barely WNW-ESE elongated glow surrounding a magazine. 12 star (TYC2683-01166-1) that’s clearest to the south of the star.
To the SW is a small glow surrounding a magazine. 13. star (4UCAC630-096085), this nebula extra intently resembles Rojkovskij-Kurchakov 99, a lot fainter than the NE nebula is, simply missed. To the WSW are a magazine. 12.5 (NE) and a magazine. 13.5 (SW) star aligned NE to SW.
The darkish nebula Bernes 20 cannot be discerned.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the nebulae are subtly clearer, the SW nebula is clearer than is was with use of 17mm. The SW nebula is even in brightness, in distinction to the NE nebula that’s brighter to the south of the star.
From these tiny little f…ellas, on to bigger, but additionally a lot fainter McDonald 10. Solely the southern half clearly stood out; that’s more likely to be the half Minkowski cataloged because the 67th entry in his second paper. Darkish nebula Barnard 343 accompanies this emission nebula, however I couldn’t distinguish it from another a part of the star subject.
31mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Solely the brighter SW a part of the nebula is clearly seen, there a NW-SE elongated, barely rectangular half is seen that seems irregular and that’s subtly streaky NW to SE with AV, however no clear lanes are discernible. On the SW the nebulosity ends all of a sudden, on the SE aspect the nebulosity is wider on a line from NE to SW (barely fanning out). In the direction of the NE the glow step by step turns into fainter and on the NE aspect the glow is clearly flattened on a line from SE to NW.
The darkish nebula Barnard 343 on the NW aspect isn’t discernible from the encircling subject.
31mm Nagler T5: Unfiltered the view is a bit mild however the nebula is clearest with use of the UHC filter.
In Cygnus, there’s a well-known propeller. Simeis 57, proper..? Incorrect. It is Courtès 53. Certain, Simeis 57 is one designation, however Georges Courtès cataloged it in 1952, the identical 12 months Gaze & Shajn did, however a couple of months earlier.
This nebula is deceivingly faint. What helps to pinpoint it, is a triangle of stars to the southeast during which the southeastern most star is the double star Fox 252. With use of a UHC filter, I used to be capable of make out solely a part of each the propeller’s blades. The southern blade (DWB 111) appeared bigger, however what I used to be capable of observe of the northern blade (DWB 119) was brighter. With this commentary I might make out extra of the nebula than I might again in 2017, however solely barely so.
Together with the Fox double, STF2659 to the west-southwest was one other bonus commentary logged.
22mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: The propeller-shape of the nebula is discernible. The a part of the northern “blade” operating north to south is the clearest, south thereof is a right-angled triangle of stars with two stars in the suitable nook: a white-yellow magazine. 8.5 star with a subtly mild blue magazine. 10 star WSW thereof (double star Fox 252, fairly effectively contrasting and fairly a pleasant double).
No nebulosity is seen to the NW of the triangle.
To the west of the triangle a nebulous half is seen that’s elongated NW to SW and that barely curves in the direction of the south with AV. Extra is seen of the southern “blade” of the propeller form, however the a part of the northern “blade” that’s seen, is barely brighter.
To the west of the southern half is the double star STF2659, a white magazine. 9 star with a magazine. 11.5 star to its WSW, ±260°/20″.
26mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification solely the NE-SW elongated a part of the southern “blade” is seen, the half that curves in the direction of the south isn’t seen, opposite to 22mm.
Gyulbudaghian-Magakian is one other enjoyable little reflection nebula. I believe it’s partially emissive, as filters didn’t wash it out as a lot as they do on most different reflection nebulae. It as clearly brighter than the 2 (three) reflection nebula I noticed half an hour earlier.
17mm Nagler T4: Unfiltered the nebula is clearly seen, a small, faint, WNW-ESE elongated glow, fairly all of a sudden brighter in a central half that’s elongated in the identical route; resembles a small galaxy however the brighter half doesn’t resemble a core.
To the SE is a barely curved line of 4 magazine. 13 and fainter stars, from the south in the direction of the NNW with the marginally bulging aspect in the direction of the ENE.
Unfiltered the nebula is clearest.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula stays seen, however not a transparent as it’s unfiltered.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the nebula is on the restrict of visibility.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon Hydrogen-Beta: Utilizing this filter the nebula isn’t seen.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is effectively seen and it’s clear that the brighter central half is brightest NW of the center. With AV a magazine. 14.5 star is seen on the brightest a part of the nebula (4UCAC645-091717).
Courtès 56 is one other massive and faint emission nebula. Its brightest curved half stood out and I used to be capable of hint it.
The curved northern and western components of the nebula are clearly seen, massive and filling the FoV and the curved half could be adopted, which is notable. The inside aspect of the curved half is concave on the SE aspect.
There’s a barely curved form of 4 magazine. 9 and fainter stars aligned north to south with the marginally bulging aspect in the direction of the east, the nebula is seen north thereof however it clearer to the NW the place the sphere is notably lighter, it’s there the place the nebula curves in the direction of the south, by way of the SW. To the WSW of the row of stars the lighter half is barely wider and the nebula finish fairly all of a sudden, flattened on the south aspect on a line from east to west. On the west aspect of the flattened half is a notable narrower, elongated, barely brighter, barely irregular half that extends in the direction of the SSE and that ends is a barely extra bulging half.
On to IC1318. That is not a single nebula: it is a area. A area that incorporates many nebulae, together with brighter IC1318A, B and C. There’s plenty of mixup on the interwebs in regards to the letter designations for this IC, however I am on group Gaze-Shajn.
IC1318A is a well-know triangular nebula. It is faint and visually it seems irregular. On the japanese edge is a small reflection nebula, GN 20.16.3.0. With a little bit of magnification I used to be capable of observe it, too.
The pictures of the observing information under are from the upcoming Gaze-Shajn version, to be revealed later this 12 months alongside a separate Simeis version.
IC1318A
A big NE-SW elongated, barely irregular glow with a barely curved form, concave on the SE aspect. The northern half runs east to west, then curves in the direction of the SW after which the nebula step by step turns into fainter and continues to curve in the direction of the SSW the place the nebula isn’t as irregular. The NE a part of the nebula is clearly essentially the most irregular.
Utilizing this magnification the reflection nebula GN 20.16.3.0 isn’t seen, it’s with 12mm., on the japanese fringe of the northern a part of IC1318A.
GN 20.16.3.0
A spherical glow is seen surrounding a magazine. 11.5 star (TYC3159-00186-1), different stars within the FoV do present show equivalent to glow, that’s clear with out AV. On the japanese fringe of the northern a part of the nebula IC1318A.
With use of filters (UHC, OIII, H-Beta) the glow vanishes, is barely seen unfiltered.
IC1318B & C kind the wings of the well-known “Butterfly Nebula”. The brighter components of each have been simply noticed, as was Simeis 68 that lives in between, proper subsequent door to the small reflection nebula Bernes 21.
Filling the FoV, the SW half is essentially the most notable, elongated SSW to NNE, containing an elongated triangle of stars pointing SSW; the SE leg of that triangle is on the sting of the nebulosity. That a part of the nebula tapers barely in the direction of the SSW and followers out barely in the direction of the NNE the place the nebula is barely patchy and wider east to west. The nebula step by step turns into brighter in the direction of the NE the place a “chew” is subtly discernible. Het protruding western a part of the nebula, WNW of the bottom of the triangle, is discernible.
Surprisingly, the brightest a part of IC1318C dealt with a Hydrogen-Beta filter fairly effectively.
31mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: The NW a part of the nebula is the clearest, a extra evenly vivid glow (in comparison with IC1318B) with a small, elongated triangle of stars pointing NE to the north of the center of the brighter half. On the SE fringe of the brightest a part of the nebula is a extra elongated triangle of stars pointing NW; with AV the NE-SW elongated darkish nebula Barnard 347 is subtly discernible, utilizing AV, SW thereof. Barnard 347 isn’t clearly seen general however the brightest a part of the nebula all of a sudden ends on the SSE aspect on a line from NE to SW. To the west, indifferent from the nebula, are two stars aligned east to west.
From the brighter NW a part of the nebula the nebula fairly shortly faints in the direction of the SW, that fainter nebulosity is subtly discernible and step by step dissolves within the star subject. The fainter NE a part of the nebula may be very subtly barely patchy, however very faint. The fainter SE a part of the nebula isn’t discernible.
31mm Nagler T5, Lumicon Hydrogen-Beta: Utilizing this filter the brightest a part of the nebula is even clearer than it’s with use of the UHC filter. No different nebulosity is seen with use of this filter.
Simeis 68
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: A really faint, barely NE-SW elongated glow, it’s clear that solely the brighter central a part of the nebula is seen. On the japanese edge is a small elongated triangle of stars pointing north, no nebulosity is seen at that place. West of the that triangle is a kinked form of stars with the kink on the east aspect (a crooked triangle), at that postion the background is far lighter; west thereof the NE-SW elongated a part of the nebula is seen that’s subtly irregular, that’s flattened on the SE aspect on a line from NE to SW, step by step fainter in the direction of the NW and tapering in the direction of the west the place there’s a yellow magazine. 9 star (SAO70005) on the western edge, a notable shade.
1/2 FoV to the east is the reflection nebula Bernes 21.
17mm Nagler T4: Unfiltered the brightest a part of the nebula is seen, however it’s clearer with use of the UHC filter.
Bernes 21
17mm Nagler T4: Surrounding a magazine. 12 star (TYC3156-01667-1) that’s to the WNW of a vivid white-yellow magazine. 10 star (SAO70046) a faint glow is seen that’s flattened on the north and south aspect and thereby barely elongated east to west. To the WSW, simply indifferent from the glow, is a magazine. 14 star. The glow is barely seen with out AV. Different stars within the FoV don’t show a glow.
1/2 FoV to the west is the emission nebula Simeis 68.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification it’s clear that the magazine. 12 star within the nebula is barely west of the center and that the nebula is only a bit brighter to the NW of the star. Utilizing AV a magazine. 15 star is seen to the NW of the magazine. 12 star within the nebula, at 1/3 of the gap in the direction of the magazine. 14 star to the WSW (these stars do kind a double star in WDS).
Closing nebula commentary in Cygnus was for a bit flea of a nebula that lately featured as Deep Sky Discussion board’s Object of the Week, authored by yours truly.
I discovered it to be a exceptional object, even when fairly faint. Opposite to posts on-line, there have been no stars within the neighborhood I might describe as “kite-shaped”.
17mm Nagler T4: The nebula is seen with out use of a filter, a particularly faint, barely NNW-SSE elongated, oval (virtually spherical) glow immediately SSE of a magazine. 11 star (TYC3178-00632-1). That star is the ENE star within the base of a flattened triangle of stars pointing NNW (magazine. 11.5), the star within the WSW nook of the bottom if magazine. 12.
With AV the nebula is barely massive, subtly irregular and really subtly brighter within the NNW half. No “kite-shape” is seen within the neighborhood, as famous in posts on-line.
The unfiltered view is the most effective. Faint however a exceptional object.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula is barely seen with AV and is even in brightness.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the nebula is even fainter than it’s with use of the UHC filter and solely the brightest NNW a part of the nebula is seen.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon Hydrogen-Beta: Utilizing this filter the nebula isn’t seen.
With lower than an hour to go earlier than the beginning of morning astronomical twilight, I focused some small and faint galaxies. Amongst them have been two in Cygnus that I lately encountered when compiling nebula guides: Calar Alto 1 (PGC66592) and Calar Alto 2 (PGC66627). Each have been seen, however took some effort.
Calar Alto 1
A really small, faint, spherical glow, on the restrict of visibility with out AV. With AV step by step brighter within the center, no nucleus seen.
Calar Alto 2
Solely seen with AV and on the restrict of visibility, a particularly faint, small, spherical glow, even in brightness, no element seen. Smaller and fainter than Calar Alto 1 (PGC66592) is that I noticed earlier than this one.
To the NW is a magazine. 14 star, thrice that distance to the SSW is a magazine. 15 star.
The ultimate deepsky commentary of the evening was one I devoted fairly some effort and time to. A brand new object class for me: the protoplanetary disk Kronberger 32 in Cepheus, nicknamed “Kronberger’s Cookie”. This object is also known as “Dracula’s Chivito”, however given the truth that is was Matthias Kronberger’s discovery, I imagine credit score must be given the place it is due.
Pinpointing the cookie was a bit of cake (…) utilizing the information under. Revealing the objects nature required a bit extra.
In my 17 & 12mm. Naglers (168× and 237× respectively), it was stellar. Utilizing 9mm. (316×) it reworked right into a small glow that resembles a small planetary nebula. With that eyepiece in place I needed to see what filter would do. UHC, OIII and H-Beta all killed it.
5mm. (570×) made little distinction however upping the zoom to 814× (3.5mm. Nagler) introduced out additional element: the thing was clearly elongated southeast to northwest, clearly flattened on the southwest aspect on a line from southeast to northwest and the northeast aspect confirmed a little bit of a bulge.
Nothing vivid, nothing to visually blow your socks off, however a really particular and rewarding commentary nonetheless.
17mm Nagler T4: Stellar. Within the SSW nook of the bottom of a barely elongated triangle pointing ESE, the celebs within the tip and within the NNE nook of the bottom are magazine. 14.
1/4 FoV to the south is a vivid white magazine. 7.5 star (SAO20466).
12mm Nagler T4: Stellar, as with 12mm.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the thing is not stellar, a small glow that’s clear when in comparison with the two stars within the triangle. With AV a central level is discernible that seems stellar and that’s simply SW of the center, surrounded by a faint glow that resembles a small planetary nebula.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC, OIII & H-Beta: With use of any of those filter the thing isn’t seen.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the 2 stars within the triangle are faintly seen, however the object isn’t.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the 2 stars within the triangle are on the restrict of visibility, however the object isn’t seen.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon Hydrogen-Beta: Utilizing this filter each the celebs within the triangle and the thing are usually not seen.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the thing very clearly isn’t stellar, a spherical glow, step by step a lot brighter within the center however a stellar central level is not discernible.
3.5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification and AV the glow isn’t spherical, barely elongated SE to NW and flattened on the SW aspect on a line from SE to NW, which is notable, barely bulging on the NE aspect.
A exceptional object.
Thrilled to have crumbled the cookie, I might have known as it an evening, however I used to be not achieved but. Earlier than the skies would actually begin to brighten, I bagged a couple of Struve (STTA) doubles in Andromeda.
I preferred Pi Andromedae (STTA44 a.okay.a. Herschel V 17) finest.
AaAb (sep. unknown) and AaAc (sep. 0.2″) not cut up, ABC cut up, AB is kind of vast, C may be very vast. Fairly a pleasant double.
A is vivid white, B is subtly white-blueish-grey (a subtly blueish hue), C is faint and colorless.
Final object to graze my eyepiece was a trapezium. 4 of STTA17‘s six parts kind it.
4 Stars of this double (A, C, D and F) kind a trapezium that tapers in the direction of the north, with a fifth star (B) to the east of the SE-most star (A) within the trapezium. C is the NNE star within the trapezium, D is the NW star, AE cut up, F is the SW star within the trapezium.
A is yellow, B is white-grey, C is yellowish, D is white-grey, E is vast, faint and colorless, F is gray.
– Blog continues below the observations table –
Observations
17 nebulae
33 galaxies & galaxy teams
1 protoplanetary disk
21 double stars
Complete: 72 observations
First time observations: 54 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk under.
click on right here for my observing log
One splendid evening of observing, however it was all of the week would produce. Daytime climate was a deal with, the Olympics have been nice and no scarcity of beer & BBQ in good firm, so time effectively spent.
Each Han and Dick touted alongside photo voltaic telescopes. With the activity on the sun plenty high, we loved the filtered views.
Being the expert astrophotographer he’s, Dick produced a beautiful picture of darkish nebula Lynds 1251, the “Rotten Fish Nebula” in Cepheus. Click on right here to see it in full decision, click here to like it on his Instagram.
Han focussed on Cygnus and amongst his captures is his work-in-progress emission area Simeis 88. It incorporates a number of segments that carry particular person Simeis designation. Labeled CSOG 3.0 information under.
