Boureuilles, 28 April – weblog 3 of 4
Monday morning. Transferring day.
After I awoke round 9, the home was already alive with astronomers packing. Some had departed a number of hours earlier, after barely any sleep. Myself, I used to be feeling fairly knackered after an ideal observing run. However with a protracted day forward of me and solely a brief drive to the city of Boureuilles, I used to be assured to get at the least of few hours of pre-stargazing nap time later within the day.
After espresso and a croissant, I lifted my scope from its pedestal, collapsed the tripod and packed the automotive. Being in no hurry in any respect, all that remained to be accomplished for the stargazers that had but to depart the premises, was to get pleasure from an excellent chat beneath the morning solar.
Round midday I hit the highway, stopping for provides within the city of Varennes-en-Argonne earlier than making my approach to my residence for the subsequent three days & nights.
This was my fourth go to to Boureuilles, however the first time visiting this home. A brand new location all the time comes with unknowns and this was no exception.
The home was good, neat and cozy. Across the nook, to the north, there’s a big (I imply massive) concrete pad, offering for loads of area to arrange my gear. On the pad, there have been all sort of ornaments that made me surprise what this setting is often used for.
Actually one of many weirdest locations I’ve ever arrange a telescope. However a cushty one, with a hedge shielding a lot of the mild from any site visitors on the highway to the west.
BUT… a lamp submit. A lamp submit immediately east.
Now, in all small cities on this area, the lights exit between 10:30 and 11 at night time. That is a given. However what if this one wouldn’t..? There was just one approach to discover out. However with my scope set and my observing plan able to go, I used to be nicely conscious that if that lamp immediately subsequent to the observing website, shining its mild straight onto me and my optics, wouldn’t swap off… Effectively, then I might be f….d.
As astronomical twilight progressed and I used to be able to kick off the session with a number of extra doubles in Ursa Main, the lamp was nonetheless on. Anxiously I sat there, twiddling my thumbs. On my observing plan for the night time, I had the time of twenty-two:35 crammed in because the time the solar could be at an elevation of -15°. As you could have learn in my earlier blogs, that is once I deem the skies to be darkish sufficient to begin observing doubles, earlier than switching to the deep sky when astronomical twilight has ended.
Then, on the actual second my telephone sounded the alarm I had set to point the beginning of the session… it was darkish.
I glanced at my watch and browse 22:35. Proper on cue.
16mm. Nagler in place and 9, 5 & 3.5mm at arms size for further magnification once I would wish it, I slewed my scope close to vertical for the primary objects of the night time. 10 Doubles within the Nice Bear have been cut up. The second, Argelander 101 (WDS11512+3322), though vast, was by far the very best. The secondary’s distinctly blue coloration was clearly contrasting the brilliant white of the first.
Different suggestions are Hussey 731 (WDS11520+4805) and Espin 2639 (WDS11596+4636).
Argelander 101
AB cut up, vast however a pleasant double.
A is vibrant white, B is blue, fairly a deep, distinct coloration of B and really clearly contrasting.
1/4 FoV to the SW is an elongated triangle of magazine. 11 and fainter stars pointing SW.
Hussey 731
16mm Nagler T5: AB not cut up however each stars are clearly seen.
A is yellow, fairly a deep coloration, fairly clearly contrasting.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification AB is cut up. Colours as with 16mm. Fairly a pleasant double.
The celebrities are of roughly equal brightness on the star of HJ842 are that I noticed earlier than this one, however with the colours mirrored.
Espin 2639
AB cut up. Fairly a pleasant double.
A is white-yellow, fairly a definite yellowish hue, B is a colorless pinprick NE of A.
At eleven o’ clock, I positioned the eyepieces used for observing doubles again within the pelicase and changed them with 17 & 12mm. ones. My most popular glass for faint fuzzies. Quickly after, the primary galaxies within the massive 12-14″ Gx-2 information for Coma Berenices have been logged. This night time was positive to grow to be one other observing bonanza, as my goal checklist was lots massive and the skies have been as darkish and clear as they’d been within the night time of 25-26 April.
Noticed as soon as earlier than, 3 years in the past from this similar city however on the different location, however undoubtedly value one other point out, is the needle of a galaxy that’s MCG+04-29-060 (PGC39432). For good causes, it made it into the Superior Observing Program for this 12 months’s Texas Star Party, too.
Fairly a big, very faint however ENE-WSW extraordinarily elongated needle, very good and a outstanding statement. With out AV solely the brighter central half is seen that’s fairly massive. With AV the galaxy is clearly bigger, extra of the faint outer components is seen and it’s clear that the brightest half is only a bit WSW of the center.
Close by NGC4245 is one other one value noting, as its vibrant core and nucleus are unmistakable. The photographs under are from CSOG’s Herschel version, the ‘by object’ information.
Fairly a vibrant, oval, NW-SE elongated glow, fairly abruptly brighter in a small, notable core that’s elongated in the identical path with a vibrant nucleus that’s clearly seen with out AV. No arms are discernible however it’s clear that the outer halo of the galaxy in direction of the NE and SW is fainter than it’s in direction of the NW and SE.
Simply over 1/2 FoV to the NE is NGC4253.
Solely half a level to the east of NGC4245 is NGC4274, the galaxy that offered for top-of-the-line observations on this session. To my shock, it revealed a small, darkish band immediately north of the core. I dubbed it a mini-M64, even when it is fairly a big galaxy.
Fairly a big and fairly vibrant, WNW-ESE elongated glow that’s irregular with out AV. Fairly abruptly brighter in a small, spherical core with a vibrant nucleus that’s clearly seen with out AV. With AV the core of the galaxy is bigger and extra of the outer areas of the galaxy are seen which make the galaxy extra elongated. With AV the galaxy is clearly irregular and north of the brighter core a small, darkish interruption is seen, a small, darkish little band that reminds of Messier 64. A outstanding statement attributable to this, too.
With AV a magazine. 15 star (4UCAC59-049478) is seen on the WSW edge, simply indifferent from the glow of the galaxy. On the jap edge, simply indifferent from the galaxy is a magazine. 14.5 star (4UCAC599-049486) that’s on the restrict of visibility with out AV.
I solely not too long ago discovered that NGC4278, the ‘A’ galaxy of the pair that goes by Holmberg 369, is nicknamed “Feeding the Monster”. Visually, I cloud not choose up any monstrosity, however its vibrant core and nucleus did make for a pleasing view. Averted imaginative and prescient revealed a little bit of elongation. NGC4283 that’s Holmberg 369B, to the northeast, is analogous in look, solely smaller and fainter. I did discover a barely offset nucleus.
Each galaxies are seen.
The WSW galaxy A – NGC4278 clearly is way brighter than the ENE galaxy B – NGC4283 is, fairly a vibrant spherical glow, step by step brighter within the center and abruptly brighter in a small, spherical core with a really vibrant nucleus that’s clearly seen with out AV. With AV the outer halo of the galaxy is barely elongated north to south.
The ENE galaxy B – NGC4283 is smaller and fainter than the WSW galaxy A – NGC4278 is, a spherical glow, fairly abruptly brighter in a small, spherical core with fairly a vibrant nucleus that’s seen with out AV, that’s a lot fainter than the nucleus of A – NGC4278 is and that seems to be only a bit south of the center of the galaxy.
To the ENE is the galaxy NGC4286.
One other vibrant one is NGC4251. It, too, confirmed a barely offset nucleus.
Fairly a vibrant, WNW-ESE (virtually east-west) elongated streak that’s fairly abruptly brighter in a core that’s barely elongated in the identical path with a really vibrant nucleus that’s simply noticed with out AV and that’s only a bit WSW of the center of the brilliant core, which is notable. With AV the brighter core is barely bigger and barely extra elongated and extra of the faint outer areas of the galaxy is seen.
About as vibrant however bigger and revealing much more element, is well-known NGC4314 – “Benedict’s Galaxy”. As a result of its extraordinarily faint arms, the general form of this galaxy is sort of spherical, which might be why catalogs don’t checklist a place angle for it. The brighter core + extensions, nonetheless, is clearly oriented northwest to southeast.
Fairly a big, fairly vibrant, irregular glow that’s abruptly brighter in a spherical core that’s clearly SE of the center of the galaxy by which the nucleus is seen with out AV. SE of the brighter core, on the jap fringe of the glow of the galaxy, a magazine. 13.5 superimposed star is seen with out AV (4UCAC600-050472).
With AV extra of the outer components of the galaxy is seen and the core is subtly irregular. The glow of the outer a part of the galaxy stretches out extra in direction of the NW, in that path the step by step turns into fainter. The galaxy is extra abruptly fainter in direction of the SE the place the half that protrudes from the brighter core is barely shorter than it’s on the NW facet. A pleasant galaxy with a notable form.
To the NW, simply indifferent from the glow of the galaxy, is a magazine. 12.5 star, to the NE is a magazine. 14 star. 1/2 FoV to the NW is the smaller and fainter galaxy NGC4308.
Once more vibrant, and revealing its irregular nature, was NGC4414. A magazine. 14 star near the galaxy’s vibrant nucleus mimics a double star and made it all of the extra attention-grabbing. Close by, I used to be capable of glimpse two very small and faint PGC galaxies, too.
NGC4414
Fairly a big, fairly vibrant NNE-SSE elongated glow, with AV oval-shape and step by step brighter within the center with a vibrant nucleus that’s clearly seen. With AV the outer components of the galaxy clearly brighten and the galaxy is subtly irregular. On the NE facet the galaxy is flattened on a line from NW to SE, the nucleus is simply west of the center of the galaxy. To the SSW of the nucleus is a magazine. 14 star (4UCAC607-047402), that star and the nucleus seem as if forming a double star. The halo of the galaxy barely stretches out extra in direction of the NNW that it does in direction of the SSE and tapers barely in direction of the NNW, is barely extra abruptly fainter in direction of the SSE. A pleasant galaxy.
1/2 FoV to the SSE are the small and faint galaxies PGC3088986 and PGC1927443.
PGC3088986
A small, faint, spherical glow, with out AV on the restrict of visibility. With AV barely bigger, even in brightness, no element seen.
To the SW is a magazine. 15 star, only a bit farther to the SE is a magazine. 13 star with the galaxy PGC1927443 ENE thereof. 1/2 FoV to the NNE is the galaxy NGC4414.
PGC1927443
A small, faint, spherical glow, smaller however barely brighter than PGC3088986 to the WNW is and simpler to watch with out AV, even in brightness. With AV barely bigger and subtly brighter within the center, no nucleus seen. 1/2 FoV to the NNE is the galaxy NGC4414.
NGC4448 revealed its spindle-shape and vibrant core. I preferred it.
Fairly a big, fairly vibrant, east-west elongated glow, actually a “spindle-shape”, abruptly brighter in a spherical core that may be discerned even with out AV, with a vibrant nucleus that’s seen with out AV. With AV the galaxy is bigger, the brighter core is barely elongated east to west and the galaxy is barely longer and tapering in direction of the west, subtly extra bulging on the east facet and barely extra abruptly fainter on that facet. The outer components of the galaxy are clearly brightest on the west facet. A pleasant galaxy.
I preferred NGC4494 equally greatest, which is sort of outstanding because it’s an elliptical galaxy.
Second to final galaxy noticed in Coma was NGC4525. Though considerably fainter than the galaxies described above, it revealed a pleasant bar, canted to the orientation of the galaxy as an entire.
Fairly a faint, NE-SW elongated glow that’s subtly irregular with out AV and that’s brightest SW of the center. With AV the central bar of the galaxy is discernible, a brighter half that’s elongated east to west and that’s barely SW of the center, which is notable and particular to watch. To the SW of the bar the galaxy is clearly brighter than it’s to the NE. On the NE facet the galaxy is sort of abruptly fainter, the galaxy tapers barely in direction of the SW.
All galaxies within the Coma Berenices information noticed, I took a half hour break. The constellation of Boötes was my subsequent playground. After an vitality drink and a chocolate bar, I used to be again at my Nagler.
The galaxies in my plan for this a part of the sky have been ‘leftovers’; objects in varied observing guides that I beforehand skipped, missed or that have been added to guides someday later. Tonight was the night time to wash up those within the southern areas of the constellation.
NGC5669 was solely the second galaxy noticed within the Herdsman and though it isn’t overly vibrant, it gave away fairly a little bit of element. Averted imaginative and prescient revealed the (begin of) two arms, with the southern one being the extra outstanding one.
An irregular, NE-SW elongated glow, with out AV brighter SW of the center. With AV the outer components of the galaxy clearly mild up and the galaxy is wider NW to SE than it’s with out AV. Subtly irregular and clearly brightest SW of the center. With AV it’s clear that the western a part of the brighter half is the brightest a part of the galaxy. West of the brighter half the galaxy is flattened on a line from north to south, south thereof (SSE of the brightest a part of the galaxy) an extension is seen ENE to WZW, that’s the begin of the southern arm of the galaxy. With AV a component is seen to the north of the brighter half that extends in direction of the NE, very delicate. A pleasant galaxy.
1/4 FoV to the WNW is the galaxy PGC51945.
NGC5827, though not too massive, isn’t too faint both and whereas tiny PGC5077032 on its west-northwestern edge remained out of sight, it did seem subtly irregular with an offset nucleus.
17mm Nagler T4: A barely NW-SE elongated, oval glow, brighter in a spherical central half however no distinct core. With AV the galaxy is subtly irregular, the brighter central half is barely bigger NE to SW and the nucleus is seen that’s only a bit to the SW of the center. With AV the galax step by step fainter in direction of the NW and barely extra abruptly faint in direction of the SE.
The galaxy PGC5077032 on the WNW edge isn’t seen.
12mm Nagler T4: As with 17mm., PGC5077032 on the WNW edge isn’t seen. Nevertheless, with use of this magnification it’s clear that the nucleus is offset.
The one Hickson group noticed this session was nr. 73, a.okay.a. “the Spider”. In my aperture, solely two have been vibrant sufficient to succeed in my retina. Members C, D & E remained out of sight, as did the 2 HII areas that go by Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 7C & 7D.
Solely galaxies A – NGC5829 and B – MCG+04-35-026 (PGC53707) are seen, C – PGC53720, D – PGC53703 and E – PGC53702 are usually not seen.
A – NGC5829 is the big galaxy, an irregular glow, step by step subtly brighter within the center. Flattened on the NW facet on a line from NW to SE. To the west, indifferent from the galaxy, is a magazine. 13 star, to the ESE is a magazine. 15 star.
With AV B – MCG+04-35-026 (PGC53707) is seen, a faint glow, even in brightness and no element seen, solely seen with AV and on the restrict of visibility.
The triple that’s Holmberg 697, shaped by NGC5851, NGC5852 & MCG+02-38-043 (PGC53961) was a lot nicer to me, with all three within the bag. Member ‘C’ of this group did require averted imaginative and prescient.
A – NGC5851 is a clearly NW-SE elongated glow, with AV barely bigger and step by step brighter within the center and brightest SW of the center, no nucleus seen.
The ESE galaxy B – NGC5852 is the brightest galaxy, an oval, barely NW-SE elongated glow, step by step brighter within the center, with out AV the nucleus is faintly seen. With AV barely extra abruptly brighter within the center however no core is discernible.
The western galaxy C – MCG+02-38-043 (PGC53961) is barely seen with AV, a small, very faint, barely NW-SE elongated streak, even in brightness and on the restrict of visibility with AV, can solely be held after a short time.
Boötes saved the very best for final, as the ultimate galaxy statement within the constellation was for the great pair NGC5857 & NGC58589 that additionally goes by Vorontsov-Vel’yaminov 1742 (included in CSOG’s KPG version as nr. 455). Each revealed distinct cores, with the one in NGC5857 barely canted with respect to the orientation of the galaxy. Additionally, there’s a small however notable distinction between the place angle of the 2 elongated galaxies, additional enhancing the view.
Each galaxies are clearly seen, not very vibrant however a pleasant pair.
The NW galaxy NGC5857 (KPG 455A) is elongated NW-SE (only a bit NNW-SSE), fairly abruptly brighter in a core that’s barely elongated in the identical path. With AV the galaxy is barely extra bulging and the brighter core is extra bulging, is only a bit WSW of the center of the galaxy and is barely canted with reference to the road of the galaxy, which is notable. No nucleus seen.
The SE galaxy NGC5859 (KPG455B) is barely fainter than the NW galaxy NGC5857 is, a clearly NW-SE elongated streak that’s step by step brighter in a really elongated core. With AV rather more abruptly brighter within the core and each the core and the galaxy total are rather more elongated.
The PA of the NW galaxy NGC5857 is only a bit smaller than the PA of the SE galaxy NGC5859 is.
The final statement in Boötes was for the faint quasar B1422+2309. A little bit of magnification together with averted imaginative and prescient was required to make it seen, mimicking a magazine. 15.5 star, however its place was a straightforward repair due to a close-by trapezium of faint stars.
17mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the quasar isn’t seen.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification the quasar is seen, however solely with AV, resembles a magazine. 15.5 star. Is to the SSE of the SE-most star in trapezium shaped by 4 stars. This statement isn’t for the star to the south of the trapezium, as that can also be seen with AV; the quasar is only a bit brighter than that star is.
The dearth of sleep within the nights previous was attending to me, however I used to be not going to surrender this night time and not using a combat. Extra galaxies, in Hercules, have been ready. After one other break, I got down to seize a number of.
Most galaxies noticed in Hercules have been small and faint. So was PGC59408, however that is undoubtedly one to suggest: it actually seems as a line, simply not as massive as MCG+04-29-060 (PGC39432) noticed earlier this night time, in Coma Berenices.
A really faint, clearly NE-SW very elongated streak, actually a line, even in brightness, no element seen and on the restrict of visibility with out AV, however a really notable form.
To the south are two magazine. 13.5 stars aligned NW to SE, SW thereof are two magazine. 12.5 stars aligned NE to SW: neither are double stars in WDS.
1 / 4 previous three, I referred to as it. One other very satisfying observing run, once more beneath superb skies. First session in 3 years by which I used to be capable of log observations for over 100 objects. I used to be undoubtedly getting again in form. Astronomy sensible 😉
Two extra nights to go.
Observations
87 galaxies & galaxy teams
1 quasar
15 double stars
Complete: 103 observations
First time observations: 63 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk under.
