Talma (Grandpré), spring 2026
18 March – weblog 1 of two
It has been some time. The session of 25 August was the final time I scribbled a chunk and for that, the final time my eye grazed an eyepiece. There has actually not been an evening appropriate for observing since and I worry that my 12″ that’s arrange semi-permanently in my yard, for when the possibility arrives to watch a couple of double stars, is beginning to sprout roots.
That dry spell, astronomy smart, ended two weeks in the past. In between the each day flurry of jokes and memes going backwards and forwards between astrobuddy David and myself, a unique message appeared: “The home in Grandpré could also be out there within the week forward. Wish to go?” Hell yeah! Affirmation was a matter of hours and with Dick and Han becoming a member of the get together, a springtime astrotrip got here to life. Time to start out planning for a couple of nights below darkish skies.
Day of arrival was the seventeenth, round 4 within the afternoon. Rituals of unpacking and organising carried out quickly after. Loads of time to take action, but thanks to sunlight saving time not in impact for an additional two weeks, dusk wasn’t too lengthy of a wait. Dinner on the primary day is all the time easy with little prep-work required. This time round, Han did the honors and his lumpia’s took all of ten minutes to shroud the kitchen in smoke and set off the hearth alarm.
As quickly as the primary stars popped out, I drift aligned the scope and gave Bob’s knobs a correct twist. All set for the night time, had been it not for a stretch of cirrus that had but to float by. Forecasts promised that to occur round midnight.
With my gear tuned and nearly 3 hours to go till the skies had been anticipated to be clear, I opted to capitalize on the after dinner dip. Higher to try to acquire a couple of hours of shuteye earlier than an observing run than to sit down round twiddling my thumbs. Plus aspect of such an prolonged powernap, is the present of darkish adaptation. Therefore, simply earlier than midnight, I jumped away from bed and into my thermals utilizing solely dim pink mild. Making my approach down the steps, I observed the home to be darkish, which means Dick and Han had been already at it. Outdoors, the skies within the north had been clear with the final of the excessive clouds making their exit by way of the south. How good for the climate forecast to be on par, for a change.
No want for adaptation. Cowl off the dew defend, Nagler in place, first observing information of the night time on the iPad and faint fuzzies into view. I used to be so glad to be observing once more.
First on the dance ground was NGC3726, in Ursa Main. A pleasant, irregular spiral that isn’t afraid to disclose some element. The pictures under are from CSOG’s Herschel version.
An irregular, fairly faint, north-south elongated glow that’s regularly brighter within the center and fairly all of the sudden brighter in a core that’s barely elongated in the identical path. The faint nucleus is seen with AV and with AV the galaxy is clearly irregular and barely wider east to west, the irregularity is clearest within the northern a part of the galaxy. On the northern edge is a magazine. 12 star (4UCAC686-053387).
Arp 280 a.okay.a. Holmberg 270 / KPG 294 / Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 1458 adopted, revealing each members. The bigger galaxy’s core is offset and comprises a faint nucleus, making for an fascinating statement. Smaller NGC3769A is far fainter however its form and angle in direction of NGC3769 is unmistakeable.
Each galaxies are seen.
The WNW galaxy NGC3769 (Holmberg 270A, KPG 294A) is elongated NW to SE and is sort of all of the sudden brighter in a core that’s elongated in the identical path, that’s barely offset in direction of the NW (which is notable) and that’s regularly brighter within the center. A stellar dot is typically seen within the NW a part of the core, noticed with certainty however no held repeatedly, I’m unable to find out whether or not that’s nucleus; figuring out this statement, utilizing an SDSS picture, I decided this to certainly be the nucleus.
The ESE galaxy NGC3769A (Holmberg 270B, KPG 294B) is on the restrict of visibility with out AV, elongated east to west, even in brightness with out AV, with AV regularly subtly brighter within the center. No nucleus seen.
Even when observing from France, IC708 with its French nickname doesn’t present a lot element. Only a spherical glow with a spherical core and a faint nucleus. IC709 that flanks it’s much more bland, however IC712 farther to the east-northeast reveals a little bit of elongation, though missing a definite core. The pictures under are from the information for the Butterfly within the Texas Star Celebration 2025 Superior observing program.
IC708 – “Papillon Galaxy”
A spherical glow, regularly brighter within the center, with AV extra all of the sudden brighter in a spherical core and with AV the nucleus is faintly seen.
To the ESE is the galaxy IC709.
IC709
A small, faint, spherical glow, regularly brighter within the center, no core discernible. With AV the nucleus is faintly seen that’s barely fainter than the nucleus of IC708 (the “Papillon Galaxy”) to the WNW is.
To the NNW is a magazine. 14 star. 1/4 FoV to the ENE is the galaxy IC712.
IC712
IC712 is subtly brighter than IC708 and IC709 are and is barely bigger than IC708 is, with out AV a spherical glow, regularly brighter within the center, with AV subtly elongated east to west and barely extra all of the sudden brighter within the center (barely elongated in the identical path), no core discernible. With AV the faint nucleus is simply seen which is fainter than the nuclei of IC708 and IC709 are.
PGC3506019 will not be seen.
To the NNE is a barely yellow-orange magazine. 9.5 star (SAO43812), 1/4 FoV to the WSW is the galaxy IC709 with IC708 (the “Papillon Galaxy”) to its WNW.
Instantly following these 3 was one other one with a reputation: PGC36252 & PGC36254 that kind the “Cosmic Tadpole”. Nothing to write down dwelling about.
A particularly faint, barely east-west elongated glow, solely seen with AV, even in brightness, no element seen; PGC36252 and PGC36254 will not be seen individually.
Is direct NE of the NNE star (4UCAC613-049749) within the base of an elongated triangle of stars with a magazine. 10. star within the tip pointing WNW and the bottom of two magazine. 11 stars on the ESE aspect aligned NNE to SSW.
One other one whose main designation is PGC, instantly following the Tadpole in my plan, is PGC37060. I discovered it to be surprisingly vibrant for a galaxy that evaded not solely the NGC and IC record, however the MCG, too. It comprises a vibrant, barely offset nucleus.
A comparatively vibrant, barely north-south elongated glow with fairly a vibrant nucleus that’s simply seen with out AV. With AV the galaxy is sort of all of the sudden barely brighter in a spherical core. The nucleus is only a bit NW of the center of the core, which is notable.
To the east is a magazine. 10.5 star, 1/3 FoV to the NE is a vibrant white magazine. 8.6 star with a magazine. 11 star to its NNW, ±340°/50″ (not a double star in WDS), east thereof is the galaxy MCG+06-26-044 (KPG 306A, the western galaxy of Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 1477).
A pair in my plan that is price a point out is Holmberg 300, fashioned by bigger NGC3930 and tiny NGC3930A to its east. The bigger galaxy present irregularity, it is tiny neighbor required averted imaginative and prescient.
Each galaxies are seen.
The WSW galaxy A – NGC3930 is a clearly irregular, north-south elongated glow, regularly brighter within the center, with AV barely extra elongated and barely extra all of the sudden brighter within the center however no core and no nucleus are seen. A faint however fairly good galaxy.
The ENE galaxy B – NGC3930A is an especially faint and small, east-west elongated glow, solely seen with AV, no element seen.
Three extra Holmberg pairs that I loved had been 302 a.okay.a. KPG 309, with the galaxies place angles properly perpendicular to at least one one other …
Each galaxies are seen, each faint, elongated little streaks. The PA’s of the galaxies are perpendicular to at least one one other.
The SE galaxy A – MCG+06-26-054 (PGC37421) is barely brighter than the NW galaxy B – MCG+06-26-054 (PGC37412) is, elongated ENE to WSW and regularly brighter within the center, with AV an especially faint, stellar nucleus generally appears to leap into view however can’t be held.
The NW galaxy B – MCG+06-26-054 is even in brightness with out AV, with AV subtly brighter within the center, faint than the SE galaxy A – MCG+06-26-054 is.
The galaxy PGC2021655 to the SE will not be seen, PGC2027451 to the NE is seen.
… 313 (additionally KPG 313) fashioned by IC749 & IC750 that tremendously differ in look and that made for among the best observations of the night time …
Each galaxies are seen, good.
The brighter ESE galaxy B – IC750 is a NE-SW elongated glow, fairly all of the sudden brighter in a core that’s elongated in the identical path. With AV the nucleus is seen. The brighter core is barely offset in direction of the SE, with regard to the axis of the galaxy.
The fainter WNW galaxy A – IC749 is a faint, spherical glow, even in brightness. With AV barely elongated north to south, barely irregular and subtly brighter SW of the center. Barely flattened on the east aspect on a line from north to south and barely extra bulging on the west aspect.
To the south is the galaxy IC751, to the SSE is IC752.
… and the ultimate statement in UMa for nr. 318 / KPG 316.
Each galaxies are seen, a pleasant view.
The ENE galaxy A – MCG+05-28-078 (PGC38009) is a clearly flattened, ENE-WSW elongated streak that’s fairly all of the sudden brighter in a core that’s elongated in the identical path, with out AV the nucleus, that’s barely WSW of the center, is on the restrict of visibility.
The WSW galaxy B – MCG+05-28-077 (PGC37976) is a barely NNE-SSW elongated glow, regularly brighter within the center, with AV barely extra all of the sudden brighter within the center however no distinct core discernible, no nucleus seen.
In between the galaxies and barely in direction of the south is a magazine. 11.5 star (4UCAC600-050171).
In my observations there was an unintended intermezzo once I unintentionally kicked the powerbox that sits under the tripod. Toppling it over and thereby yanking out the ability cords. Fortunate for me, I’ve grown nicely accustomed to my scope. With the spaghetti reattached and the mount powered up once more, it was a matter of minutes earlier than I had the factor reinitialized. Fortunately, it was simply an accident. And it occurred solely twice.
Observations in Ursa Main
Properly over an hour into the session, I took a 20 minute break to see what the astrophotographers had been as much as. To date, the sky’s had been fairly good with first rate transparency. The wind was a nuisance at occasions, inflicting frequent interruptions. More often than not I discovered I might dampen the OTA’s vibrations by urgent my hand towards it, however when stronger gusts hit I simply needed to sit it out.
Again on the scope I continued with observations in Canes Venatici. ‘Leftover’ galaxies which have lately made it into my guides or which have one way or the other managed to flee my plan up till now.
MCG+07-25-048 (PGC38811 = Holmberg 345C) is one such instance, positioned to the east of well-known NGC4151 – the “Eye of Sauron”. NGC4156 in between and to the north of each, completes the triplet. NGC4151 lived as much as its identify with its vibrant core + nucleus.
NGC4151
A barely NE-SW elongated glow, regularly brighter within the center with an especially vibrant nucleus that resembles a magazine. 10.5 star. With AV clearly extra elongated and fairly all of the sudden brighter in a small, spherical core.
To the NNW and to the WSW are magazine. 12.5 stars, one and a half occasions that distance to the north is a magazine. 11 star.
NGC4156
A barely east-west elongated glow, regularly brighter within the center with a vibrant nucleus that’s seen with out AV. Subtly irregular with AV.
MCG+07-25-048
A small, extraordinarily faint, barely east-west elongated glow, solely seen with AV, even in brightness. The fainter, elongated components of the galaxy will not be seen.
Within the western leg of a barely crooked triangle of magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars pointing north.
One more Holmberg pair in my plan was 341 and as was the case for nr. 302 earlier within the night time, the galaxies that make up this one – even when smaller and fainter – even have clearly differing place angles.
Each galaxies are seen, the PA of the galaxies clearly differs.
The NW galaxy A – MCG+06-27-016 (PGC38668) is barely brighter than the SE galaxy B – MCG+06-27-017 (PGC38685) is. An ENE-WSW elongated glow, regularly brighter within the center with fairly a vibrant nucleus that’s simply seen with out AV.
The SE galaxy B – MCG+06-27-017 is a spherical glow with out AV, regularly brighter within the center, with AV barely extra elongated north to south, no nucleus seen.
3 Galaxies kind Holmberg 374 a.okay.a. KTG 43: MCG+07-25-059 (PGC39887 = Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 1527), MCG+07-25-061 (PGC39895) and MCG+07-25-060 (PGC39885). A pleasant little group. As the photographs within the information from the Holmberg version present, Holmberg didn’t designate group members by proper ascension; Karachtenseva nonetheless, did.
All 3 galaxies are seen, a pleasant view.
The NW galaxy C – MCG+07-25-060 (PGC39885) is a faint, spherical glow, with out AV subtly brighter within the center, with AV barely extra all of the sudden brighter within the center and with AV the faint nucleus is seen.
The southern galaxy A – MCG+07-25-059 (PGC39887, Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 1527) is barely bigger than NW galaxy C – MCG+07-25-060 is, however is equally vibrant, spherical with out AV, with AV subtly elongated east to west and regularly brighter within the center however no core discernible, no nucleus seen.
The jap galaxy B – MCG+07-25-061 (PGC39895) is the faintest, is to the ESE of the NW galaxy C – MCG6+07-25-060, a faint, spherical glow, subtly brighter within the center, no nucleus seen, no distinction with AV.
As Canes Venatici is a constellation I didn’t revisit for fairly a while, it packs fairly a bunch of Holmberg teams that I added to CSOG’s 12-14″ version a couple of years in the past, however had not but logged an statement for (does it present..?). Holmberg 519 is one other instance. It is a broad pair wherein the galaxies tremendously differ in look.
Each galaxies are seen.
A – NGC5166 is the WSW galaxy, very elongated NE to SW, clearly brighter within the center and the galaxy, that’s barely WSW of the center, is faintly seen with out AV. With AV barely irregular and barely flattened on the NW aspect on a line from ENE to WSW, the darkish lane will not be discernible however the flattening is prone to be betraying the lane.
In keeping with A – NGC5166 in direction of the ENE is B – NGC5166B, a small, faint, barely east-west elongated glow, even in brightness, no element seen.
Virtually 1/2 FoV to the west of A – NGC5166 is NGC5157.
Close to these two is NGC5157.
A spherical glow, with out AV subtly irregular with a vibrant nucleus that seems to be only a bit SW of the center. With AV barely bigger and extra irregular, barely flattened on the NE aspect on a line from NW to SE.
Virtually 1/2 FoV to the east is NGC5166 (Holmberg 519A).
MCG+05-32-030 (PGC47433) was the primary of three statement recorded in sequence. Following is MCG+05-32-031 (Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 69) and about twice as far to the southeast is Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 326. The primary VV’ confirmed its irregularity, the latter stood out on account of its form.
MCG+05-32-030
A spherical glow, brighter than MCG+05-32-031 (PGC47447, Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 60) to the SSE is, regularly brighter within the center, with out AV the nucleus is simply seen. With AV barely extra all of the sudden brighter within the center.
To the SSE is a magazine. 13 star, east thereof is the galaxy MCG+05-32-031.
MCG+05-35-031 (Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 69)
A faint, irregular glow, barely bigger however fainter than MCG+05-32-030 (PGC47433) to the NNW is, with out AV subtly brighter within the center. With AV barely extra all of the sudden brighter in a component that’s simply SW of the center, that’s subtly discernible. Faint and irregular.
To the west is a magazine. 12 star, to the NNW is the brighter galaxy MCG+05-32-030. To the ESE are a magazine. 12.5 (SE) and a magazine. 14 (NW) star aligned SE to NW, SSE thereof are the galaxies MCG+05-32-034 & MCG+0532-035 (Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 326).
MCG+05-32-034 & MCG+05-32-035 (Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 326)
Each galaxies are seen.
MCG+05-32-035 (PGC47483) is the jap galaxy, a faint however clearly NNE-SSW elongated glow, subtly brighter within the center, a notable form.
With AV the western galaxy MCG+05-32-034 (PGC47475) is faintly seen, a spherical glow, even in brightness.
To the NNW are a magazine. 12.5 (SE) and a magazine. 14 (NW) star aligned SE to NW, to the SE are a magazine. 12 (ESE) and a magazine. 13.5 (WNW) star aligned ESE to WNW: the galaxies are in between these 2 pairs of stars.
The faint galaxy PGC1939665 to the WSW generally appears to leap into view with AV however can’t be held. To the NW is MCG+05-32-031 (PGC47447, Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 60).
A pair with a plus one is KPG 409. The one tagging alongside being MCG+07-29-041 (PGC50020).
The two galaxies that kind KPG 409 (A – MCG+07-29-039 / PGC50022 & B – MCG+07-29-040 / PGC50027) and MCG+07-29-041 (PGC50020) are all seen. A pleasant view.
A – MCG+07-29-039 is the NW galaxy, a clearly north-south very elongated streak, regularly brighter within the center. Bigger with AV, extra elongated and extra all of the sudden brighter in a core that’s elongated in the identical path, no nucleus seen. To the SSE is a magazine. 13 star, west thereof is B – MCG+07-29-040.
B – MCG+07-29-040 is a faint glow, spherical with out AV and even in brightness. With AV barely elongated east to west and regularly brighter within the center.
MCG+07-29-041 is seen to the south of the magazine. 13 star, solely seen with AV, a small, extraordinarily faint, barely east-west elongated patch, even in brightness, no element seen.
Second to final statement in CVn was for an additional Holmberg pair, nr. 576 fashioned by two NGC’s. A large pair of galaxies don’t seems comparable in any approach.
Each galaxies are seen, broad.
The NNW galaxy A – NGC5440 is a clearly NE-SW elongated glow, regularly brighter within the center with a vibrant nucleus that’s clearly seen with out AV. With AV the galaxy is barely extra elongated and a subtly brighter, small core is seen that’s elongated in the identical path.
The SSE galaxy B – NGC5441 is far fainter than A – NGC5440 is, a spherical glow, solely seen with AV, no element seen.
Observations in Canes Venatici
One other 20 minute break, returning to my treasured with renewed vigor, able to sort out loads of small and faint stuff in Boötes.
On this constellation, this night time, I favored NGC5635 finest.
A diffuse, ENE-WSW elongated glow with fairly a vibrant nucleus that’s seen with out AV. With out AV fairly all of the sudden brighter in a spherical core, with AV the galaxy is barely bigger, the core is barely elongated in the identical path and the galaxy is extra regularly brighter within the center.
1/4 FoV to the south is the galaxy Haro 41 (MCG+05-34-048 / PGC51701).
As famous within the statement notes for the NGC, Haro 41 (PGC51701) lives to the south. This classes, I noticed 7 Haro galaxies: 2 in Canum, the remaining in Boo. In Haro 38 (PGC47938), I observed a knot that’s seen however not apparent in imagery, making for an fascinating element.
Haro 37 in Canes Venatici
A small, faint, spherical glow, regularly brighter within the center. Barely bigger with AV, barely extra all of the sudden brighter within the center and with AV the faint nucleus is seen.
Haro 38 in Canes Venatici
A faint, barely NNE-SSW elongated, evenly vibrant glow, with AV barely extra elongated and regularly barely brighter within the center. A faint nucleus of knot is seen SSW of the center, which is notable. The HII area NE of the center will not be seen.
Haro 39 in Boötes
A particularly faint, clearly NE-SW elongated streak, solely seen with AV, even in brightness, no element seen.
To the WSW is a magazine. 12 star, twice that distance to the NW is a magazine. 11 star.
Haro 42 (PGC51877) revealed one thing comparable in its western half.
Haro 40 in Boötes
A small, extraordinarily faint, barely east-west elongated glow, with out AV on the restrict of visibility. With AV regularly brighter within the center, no nucleus seen.
Within the NW tip of a flattened triangle with the bottom of magazine. 11 stars on the SE aspect aligned NE to SW. As soon as the width of the bottom of the triangle, from the galaxy in direction of the WSW, is a magazine. 10.5 star.
Haro 41 in Boötes
A really faint, east-west elongated glow, even in brightness, no element seen, with out AV on the restrict of visibility.
To the ESE is the galaxy PGC51726, 1/4 FoV to the north is NGC5635.
Haro 42 in Boötes
A barely east-west elongated glow that, with AV, is clearly brighter west of the center is a small half that’s barely elongated in the identical path, no nucleus seen. With out AV on the brighter western half is seen, with AV the galaxy is subtly bigger.
The knot or the galaxy MAPS-NGP O_326_2590161 to the NNE will not be seen.
Haro 43 in Boötes
A really faint, NW-SE elongated glow, even in brightness, no element seen.
Observations in Boötes
Haro 43 was to be the final statement of the night time. Quickly after half previous 4 within the morning, the winds picked up, rendering additional statement makes an attempt futile. Higher to retire and to struggle one other day. I imply night time.
Observations
63 galaxies
1 double star
Complete: 64 observations
First time observations: 47 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk under.
