the early morning of 25 August
Day of arrival was Saturday the twenty third. As custom dictates, the rituals carried out have been similar to previous visits. Firing up of grill. Establishing scope. Constantly refreshing satellite tv for pc imagery. Ready for skies to clear.
The primary night time the clouds didn’t depart. The night time of 24-25 August they did, nevertheless it was not till previous one within the morning when a persistent line had slowly handed us. Behind it, the seeing was excellent however transparency was not optimum. It wasn’t horrible, nevertheless it wasn’t nearly as good because it had been again in April on this very same city. This night time, after I had hoped to have the ability to goal nebulae in Cepheus and Cassiopeia, it quickly grew to become apparent it was higher to stay to things consisting of stars as a substitute. As was the plan of motion again in Mornans in November 2023 for a similar cause, open clusters could be the targets for the night time.
For starters, I noticed the asterism IC1363 in Cygnus. A small group of faint stars that was as soon as mistaken for a nebula. Picture under is from CSOG Cederblad version, the catalog that features this object as nr. 188. I discovered it to not be indifferent from the star area in any respect, besides two stars with ruddy hues compensated for that. Double star Smart 129, due west, made for a pleasant bonus statement.
Not indifferent, in a wealthy star area, the form of the asterism isn’t discernible until realizing precisely the place to look. Consists of magazine. 11 and fainter stars. On the WSW edge is a magazine. 11 star with a deep orange-red star to its SE, ±140°/10″, a notable shade however not a double star in WDS. Ene thereof is a curving, crooked U-/horshoe-shape of magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars with the open facet in the direction of the NE, the brightest star is on the SW fringe of that form and is magazine. 11.5 and is clearly coloured brilliant orange.
1/4 FoV to the WNW is a magazine. 11 star with a magazine. 13 star to its WNW (virtually due west), ±275°/15″ (double star Sensible 129).
A double that wasn’t a stumble-upon however one in my observing plan as a substitute, was “Lassell’s Triple Double” (Lassell 1 – WDS21348+3204), additionally in Cygnus. The character of this double was obvious immediately, with pairs AD, BD and CG forming three doubles. Elements E & D are simply tagging alongside. The picture under is from CSOG’s Named Objects version.
The group is clear immediately.
ABCDEFG cut up. AD is the western pair, BF is the NE pair, CG is the SE pair. A “triple double” with 2 additional stars near A (E & D).
A is the brightest NW star of the group, magazine. 9 and yellow, fairly a deep shade. B is the NE-most star within the group and is gray, C is the SE star and is pale white, D is pale white. E is faint and is colorless, a pinprick NNW of A. F is faint and is gray, G is faint and is colorless.
As a take a look at of the skies, I tried a number of nebulae in Cepheus. Even after I may (simply) make out the primary 2 in CSOG’s 12-14″ Neb-1 information for the constellation, I rapidly determined to go away it at that. With the skies not optimum, I knew that I might undoubtedly be returning to those objects in a future night time when circumstances are higher. So higher to avoid wasting them for later, as a substitute of logging double observations and wasting your observing time.
Lacerta contained some objects in CSOG’s 12-14″ guides that I had but to examine. Berkeley 96, with double star Stein 2801…
A small, virtually not indifferent, poor group of magazine. 10 and fainter stars, considerably recognizable as a cluster. On the ESE edge is a magazine. 10 star with a magazine. 13 star to its NNE, ±005°/4″ and barely farther to the NE, ±040°/6″ a magazine. 14 star, with AV a magazine. 15 star is seen to the WNW (the magazine. 10 star is element A of the double star Stein 2801, the magazine. 13 star is element B; element C in all probability not described). WSW of the brightest stars is a magazine. 12 star, SSE thereof is a magazine. 13.5 star, barely farther to the NW is a magazine. 13 star with a magazine. 14 star to its south.
… NGC7438 with pale carbon star TV Lacertae …
A not indifferent, barely NE-SW elongated group that’s broad on the NE facet, barely tapering in the direction of the SW the place the group is most concentrated. The NE half is considerably rectangular in form, aligned SE to NW. Centrally the cluster is poorer. Not recognizable as a cluster. WSW of probably the most concentrated half are a brilliant yellow-orange magazine. 9 star and a pale white magazine. 10 star aligned NNW to SSE: the NNW star is the carbon star TV Lacertae, a pale star, probably not recognizable as a carbon star. NW of the carbon star, 3 times the gap between the 2 stars, is a brilliant white-yellow magazine. 8.5 star (SAO34960).
… and NGC7394 with double star HJ1820.
A SE-NW elongated group, roughly 1/2 FoV in measurement in that course, barely tapering in the direction of the SE, consists of primarily magazine. 9.5 and fainter stars. On the SE edge is a brilliant white magazine. 7.5 star (SAO34870). Not very indifferent, however recognizable as a cluster as the celebrities a clearly brighter than the encompassing star area is. NW of the center the cluster is poorer, barely wider on the NW facet on a line from NE to SW.
NE of the center is a brilliant white-yellow magazine. 10 star with a magazine. 13 star to its WNW (virtually due west), ±275°/6″ (double star HJ1820).
1/3 FoV to the NE is a brilliant white magazine. 7.5 star (SAO34875).
NGC7686, NGC272, NGC752 & NGC956 have been subsequent. All 4 of those are open clusters in Andromeda that I had seen earlier than, however not but from a darkish website. I preferred NGC752 finest, even when it stuffed the entire area of view of my lowest magnification eyepiece, a 31mm Nagler. The pictures under are from CSOG’s Herschel version, the ‘by object’ information.
A wonderful, wealthy group of stars, not very concentrated. SE of the center is a yellow magazine. 7 star (SAO55138). Extra pairs of stars are seen that might be double stars. Precisely filling the FoV utilizing this eyepiece, as quickly as I extra the FoV fewer stars are seen.
Nonetheless in Andromeda and nonetheless concentrating on objects that include stars, I attempted for some globulars in M31. All of them tiny, however all making for worthwhile observations. 3 of the 4 noticed are usually identified by “G-” designations, however going by the knowledge in SIMBAD, I’m utilizing different names that (I believe…) are traditionally right. By the best way, apart from Mayall II these objects will not be within the present CSOG 12-14″ version however will likely be included within the subsequent replace. Coming (very) quickly.
I made a decision to deal with these small objects utilizing my 12 & 7mm. eyepieces. I used to be shocked to see the primary 2 didn’t seem stellar with a little bit of magnification and use of averted imaginative and prescient.
Hubble 42
12mm Nagler T4: Faint and stellar, seen with out AV, resembles a magazine. 14 star.
To the west is a magazine. 11.5 star with a magazine. 11.5 star to its SSW (virtually due south). ENE of the magazine. 11 star is a magazine. 13 star, that star is subtly brighter (roughly 1/2 magazine.) than the globular is. SE of the magazine. 13 star is a magazine. 14.5 star, that star is only a bit fainter than the globular is.
7mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the globular is stellar with out AV. With AV simply not stellar and subtly brighter within the center, a small, brighter core surrounded by a fait glow, considerably resembles a faint planetary nebula. The celebrities within the FoV don’t present this impact.
The statement of Hubble 64 was good. Not only for its non-stellar look on the increased magnification, but in addition attributable to its proximity to M31’s nucleus, precisely half a area of view to the northwest.
Hubble 64
12mm Nagler T4: Seen with out AV however stellar and really faint, resembles a magazine. 14.5 star. To the ENE (virtually due east) is a magazine. 11.5 star (4UCAC656-002733).
Is precisely 1/2 FoV SE of the nucleus of Messier 31.
7mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification stellar with out AV. With AV not stellar, a really small, faint, spherical glow, fairly all of the sudden brighter in a stellar middle. Fainter than Hubble 42 is that I noticed earlier than this one and the central half clearly is fainter. That it is not stellar is evident when in comparison with stars within the neighborhood.
The third globular noticed was the least spectacular however close by open cluster Hodge B-410 made for a nice shock, because it clearly stood out to the southeast.
Seyfert-Nassau 282
12mm Nagler T4: Stellar, equal in brightness to the magazine. 12 star 4UCAC657-002870 to the WSW.
To the SE is small, faint open cluster Hodge B-410.
7mm Nagler T6: Stellar utilizing this magnification, too.
Hodge B-410
12mm Nagler T4: A faint, north-south elongated glow, clearly not stellar. Barely irregular with AV and subtly brighter on the south facet.
To the NE is the globular cluster Seyfert-Nassau 282.
7mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the cluster isn’t irregular however it’s subtly brighter on the south facet.
Mayall II
12mm Nagler T4: A really small, faint, east-west elongated glow with a magazine. 14 star to its SSW (4UCAC648-002027) and a magazine. 14.5 star (4UCAC648-002026) to its NW. Even in brightness with out AV, with AV step by step brighter within the center.
7mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification, with out AV, fairly all of the sudden brighter within the center with a stellar middle, with AV the stellar middle is clearer.
After a brief break, I set my sights on the celestial Queen. First, two “cleanup” observations for open clusters Berkeley 102 & 103 in CSOG’s 12-14″ OC-1 information for the constellation.
When observing nr. 102, I questioned whether or not the cluster as cataloged by Setteducati and Weaver is not solely the faint, concentrated south-southeastern half. The encircling stars do fomr a bigger group, however I wasn’t certain. Re-checking the unique knowledge tells me the listed measurement is 6 minutes of arc; meaning it is bigger than simply the faint focus. The picture under is from CSOG’s Berkeley Star Clusters version.
A SSE-NNW elongated U-shape with the open facet in the direction of the NNW. Not very indifferent, however recognizable as a cluster. On the southern edge is a small, crooked, elongated triangle of magazine. 10 and fainter stars pointing south (only a bit SSW) and a brilliant white-yellow magazine. 10 star within the ENE nook of the bottom, a delicate yellowish hue (the celebrities within the triangle type the double star Sinnott 12). The jap leg of the cluster is barely poorer one a line from south to north (barely SSE-NNW). Centrally the cluster is poorer. The western a part of the cluster is barely richer.
The very faint, extra concentrated half to the SE of the center isn’t discernible; I’m wondering if that extra concentrated half is not the one half that varieties the Berkeley cluster, however in accordance with the Berkeley paper the diameter is 6′.
Nest, I pulled out the 12-14″ OC-2 information for Cassiopeia to watch a bunch extra clusters; both for the primary time ever or for the primary time underneath darkish skies.
The pictures under are from the (up to date) observing information that will likely be revealed quickly as a part of a CSOG interim replace.
Not a primary time statement however one price mentioning, was Mayer 1. Even when no hint of Simeis 21 (the “Phantom of the Opera”) might be detected round that comparatively small cluster. The picture under is from CSOG’s Simeis version.
A small, meandering, barely indifferent group, elongated SE to NW the place the cluster bulges extra and from which the cluster meanders in the direction of the ESE, then in the direction of the SE, then in the direction of the SW. The cluster considerably has an S-shape. Fairly properly recognizable as a cluster.
1/5 FoV to the SW is a brilliant white magazine. 7.5 star (SAO11134), 1/4 FoV to the SSE is a flattened triangle of magazine. 9 and fainter stars with a pale orange magazine. 9.5 star within the tip pointing SE.
Simeis 21 isn’t seen.
King 1 that adopted wasn’t a primary timer, both, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly above common.
Roughly 1/3 FoV in measurement, faint, elongated SW to NE and fairly wealthy. Fairly a number of stars resolve and a faint glow of unresolved stars is seen within the background, which is sweet. Properly recognizable as a cluster. The cluster tapers barely in the direction of the NE and barely followers out in the direction of the SW. On the NE edge is a brilliant white magazine. 9.5 star. Within the SW a part of the cluster, near the SW edge, are a magazine. 10 (NW) and a magazine. 11.5 (SE) star aligned NW to SE (the double star Stein 40). To the NW of the double star Stein 40 fairly a large department is seen that runs in the direction of the WSW, to the south a barely narrower department is seen in the direction of the SE. Barely any stars are seen to the SW of the double star.
NGC129 is an attention-grabbing one. Not a brilliant and wealthy cluster, however the element is within the jap half the place I famous an attention-grabbing funnel-feature operating southwards. The pictures under are from CSOG’s Herschel version, once more the ‘by object’ information.
Not a really indifferent group, however recognizable as a cluster, a U-shape with the open facet in the direction of the NNE (virtually due north) with a notable yellow magazine. 9 star (DL Cassiopeiae) on the NNW edge. The jap leg of the U-shape is aligned SSW to NNE, is barely richer and barely followers out in the direction of the NNE, on the south facet of which a “funnel” varieties in the direction of the south with a magazine. 9.5 star (SAO21450, not as deep a shade because the magazine. 9 star) on the NW edge. Centrally the cluster is poorer with a barely kinked form of stars aligned north to south with the kink in the direction of the east.
Inventory 21 was a primary for me. I discovered its form considerably harking back to Sagittarius’ teapot asterism.
A barely east-west elongated little group of magazine. 11.5 and fainter stars with a notable form, a considerably “teapot-shape” that’s considerably harking back to the galaxy Sagittarius, with the “spout” on the west facet pointing SW and the “deal with” on the east facet, curving from the north in the direction of the ESE. Centrally poor the place a crooked U-shape is seen with the opening in the direction of the NNE. Not very indifferent, however considerably recognizable as a cluster.
One other King within the Queen price mentioning, is nr. 14. It is a scattered group, solely considerably indifferent from the sector however nonetheless recognizable as a cluster. Total, its form is a “V”. That “V” comprises a smaller “V”, itself containing a small, crooked “U-shape” of stars –> V-V-U. Close by is brilliant white Kappa Cassiopeiae.
Fairly a scattered, considerably indifferent group in a wealthy star area, recognizable as a cluster. Has a barely triangular form, tapering in the direction of the SE and fanning out in the direction of the NW with the two/3 of the cluster having a flattened V form with the open facet in the direction of the NW. On the SW facet the cluster consists of fainter stars. Within the WNW half a really crooked U-shape of stars is seen with the open facet in the direction of the NW. Total it is a V-shape containing a smaller V-shape containing the U-shape.
Nearly one FoV to the SSE is a brilliant white magazine. 4 star (Kappa Cassiopeiae).
The cluster is a part of a bunch of three, together with NGC133 and NGC146. These collectively featured as a Webb Deep-Sky Society Object of the Month again in October 2021.
As was to be anticipated, NGC225 – the “Sailboat Cluster” ranked among the many higher observations of open clusters this night time. With it got here a pleasant bonus that didn’t depart the session fully devoid of nebula observations: to the northwest of the cluster the reflection nebula Herbig 2 made an look. The pictures under for NGC225 is from CSOG’s Herschel version …
A fairly properly indifferent group of stars, properly recognizable as a cluster. Total elongated SW to NE, richting within the SW half in a component with a triangular form pointing SE, fanning out in the direction of the NW. Poorer ENE thereof. On the east facet is a meandering line of stars operating north to south with a flattened triangle pointing west on the south facet.
To the NW of the cluster (NNW of the triangular form) the view is barely lighter surrounding a white magazine. 10.5 star, a shapeless glow (reflection nebula Herbig 2). Subtly brighter east of the star and barely bulging west of the star, barely flattened on a line from SSE to NNW to the east of the star. ESE thereof is a barely kinked form of magazine. 11 and fainter stars aligned WSW to ENE.
… the pictures for the reflection nebula Herbig 2 are from CSOG’s Herbig Nebulae version.
Of the remaining clusters noticed this session, I preferred Dolidze 13 finest. It is one other scattered group, flanked by a bright-yellow star.
A scattered group, roughly 1/2 FoV in measurement, consists of magazine. 11 and fainter star. Flattened on the NNE facet on a line from ESE to WNW, richter SW thereof. In a wealthy star area however fairly indifferent.
1/4 FoV to the NE is a brilliant white-yellow magazine. 5 star (SAO11424).
As morning astronomical twilight approached, I noticed the final of the clusters in CSOG’s 12″ OC-2 information and even managed to bag a number of additional from the OC-4 information.
Regardless of hopes for higher skies and with 2 hours gone to waste ready for the clouds to cross, I turned out to be a fruitful night time with precisely half of the 64 observations logged being first timers. Cannot complain about that.
Observations
1 carbon star
42 open clusters
4 globular clusters
1 nebula
1 asterism
15 double stars
Whole: 64 observations
First time observations: 32 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk under.
