the night of 25 August
There wasn’t a single forecast promising something apart from an all-nighter. Satellite tv for pc imagery agreed: nothing inbound to spoil what was undoubtedly going to be an excellent observing run.
To profit from the evening forward, I used to be exterior and away from mild sources even earlier than the beginning of nautical twilight. Each bit of additional time for darkish adaptation was welcome. As quickly as astronomical twilight had come and gone, I needed to be able to deal with the various faint objects in my plan.
Settled behind my scope, eyepieces sorted and about to start out splitting some doubles in Aquila, a really lengthy and shiny, vividly blue, vertical streak rising shortly over the western horizon caught my eye. Its shade was unmistakable. Passing just about straight via the zenit, a prepare of satellites, two-by-two, might be seen simply previous the streak. A mesmerizing sight and a really surprising one at that. Utilizing my telephone, I wasn’t capable of seize any photographs that aptly painting its look, however it was shiny sufficient for some fast snaps.
The next day I browsed the net searching for its origin, totally anticipating it to be certainly one of SpaceX’s Starlink launches, however it wasn’t. As a number of publish on to socials taught me, it was of Chinese language origin as a substitute. A Long March 8A rocket, launched simply an hour or so earlier, dumping gas and deploying satellites whereas streaking over midwestern Europa. It was sighted from many international locations.
Again to the session, that I kicked off with Struve’s STT’s. With the third one, STT370, being the only exception, 7 out of 8 had been first time observations.
I preferred the primary two greatest, STT362 and 368: particularly STT368.
STT362
16mm Nagler T5: AB cut up, C will not be seen. Fairly a pleasant double.
A is shiny yellow-orange, a definite shade, B is a pinprick NNW of A.
9mm Nagler T6: As with 16mm., C will not be seen.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification and AV C is clearly seen. ABC cut up.
STT368
16mm Nagler T5: AB not cut up (sep. 1.2″ WDS2025.8), AB-C cut up, C is on the restrict of visibility with out AV.
AB is shiny white, C is faint and colorless.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification AB is “kissing”.
A is shiny white, B is mild grey-blueish, fairly a definite shade of B and fairly clearly contrasting.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification AB is clearly cut up. A lovely double.
A is white, B is mild blue, clearly contrasting.
With these doubles within the bag, I put in my filter slider and got down to observe planetary nebulae. For starters, one in Hercules. Or so I assumed…
Kronberger 66 selected to not cooperate. That faint and tiny one could be a problem below any skies, however this evening it was clear to me right away that it was going to stay out of attain. Additionally, I used to be unable to make out the magazine. 14.9 and 15.0 stars near the north-northwest and north, respectively, and that advised me all I wanted to know. Higher transparency than this morning, however nonetheless not optimum.
The three that adopted in Ophiuchus had been nicer to me. The primary one, Abell 43 – the “Flying Soccer” is a faint one, however it’s not too small and utilizing averted imaginative and prescient together with filters it even gave away delicate element. The pictures under are from CSOG’s Abell Nebulae version.
17mm Nagler T4: An especially faint, spherical glow, solely discernible with AV and on the restrict of visibility. The central star is seen, roughly magazine. 13.5. On the ENE edge is a magazine. 14 star (star 4UCAC504-070147). With AV the magazine. 15 star 4UCAC504-070143 is seen on the southern edge.
To the NNW is a magazine. 11.5 star, west thereof is a pale orange magazine. 10 star (TYC1011-00799-1).
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Subtly clearer utilizing this filter, in comparison with the unfiltered view, a faint spherical glow, subtly brighter on the south aspect. Utilizing this filter the southern half is barely bigger than it’s with use of the OIII filter.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is clearer than it’s with use of the UHC filter, the nebula is brighter within the southern half. With out AV the nebula is on the restrict of visibility.
12mm Nagler T4: Utilizing this magnification, unfiltered and with use of the UHC or the OIII filter, the nebula is seen however the view is healthier with 17mm.
NGC6572 – the “Emerald Nebula” is a shiny one. It is small, however its shade is unmistakable. Even so, it was not the one factor protruding within the subject of view. To the west-northwest I seen a definite group of stars, its form considerably reminding me of M38. I described it and because it seems, it an asterism often known as Patchick 52. Good bonus statement to go together with the planetary, that BTW featured as a Webb Deep-Sky Society Object of the Season in spring 2015. I additionally added it to the Starnights 2025 Observing Program.
The nebula had its personal shock in retailer: faint extensions, to the north-northwest and south-southeast, that might be discerned at larger magnifications, even with out using filters.
17mm Nagler T4: A small, fairly shiny, clear turquoise coloured sphere, a really distinct shade. A really stunning nebula.
To the ENE is a magazine. 10.5 star, at equal distance to the ESE is a magazine. 11.5 star. Along with these two stars the nebula types an elongated triangle with the nebula within the tip pointing west.
1/3 FoV to the WNW is a notable group of magazine. 12 and fainter stars, the sharpe is paying homage to the open cluster Messier 38 (NGC1912, het “Letter Pi Cluster”) in Auriga. A parallelogram, barely tapering in direction of the NW containing a number of stars (= asterisme Patchick 52).
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: The impact of this filter is excellent, the nebula is barely bigger and is centrally brighter.
17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is stronger than the impact of the UHC filter is however the nebula is extra even in brightness, subtly brighter within the northern half.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is subtly elongated north to south and is subtly brighter within the northern half.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula is barely bigger however is even in brightness.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is barely stronger than the impact of the UHC filter is, however the nebula stays even in brightness. There are extensions seen, very faint, in direction of the NNW and SSE with the SSE extension being barely longer than the NNE is.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification, unfiltered, the extensions as described with 9mm. and the OII filter are discernible.
5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification the extensions are barely clearer and the nebula total is clearly barely elongated NNW to SSE, centrally spherical.
5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter and AV is is evident that there’s an outer halo that stretches out on either side and that tapers barely on either side.
Cannon 3-1 featured as a Deep Sky Discussion board Object of the Week in 2024. At first look it was stellar. Filters clearly had an impact. Oddly sufficient, I famous the star TYC1014-00122-1 to the south to stay clearly seen with use of an OIII filter, too. At larger magnifications the nebula was now not stellar and on the highest magnification used (5mm., 570×) is got here throughout as brighter in what I described as a notable “3/4 Moon-shape”. Additionally, the central star displayed a ‘brightening’ impact much like that what I had beforehand seen 11 years in the past in NGC7094 in Pegasus.
16mm Nagler T5: Stellar, resembles a magazine. 12 star and isn’t discernible from the star subject. In a row of magazine. 12 and fainter stars aligned south to north, is the northermost “star” earlier than the row curves in direction of the NNE.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula stays clearly seen.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the nebula stays clearly seen.
What’s notable utilizing this primary, is that the southernmost star within the row of stars as described stays clearly seen, too, That can also be the case with use of the UHC filter however the impact of the OIII filter is stronger. That’s notable as it’s to be anticipated that this star would now not be seen.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is stellar with out AV. With AV the nebula is simply not stellar, a small, faint, spherical glow that’s centrally brighter.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula clearly will not be stellar, with AV a stellar heart level is discernible.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is barely extra delicate than that of the UHC filter, however the nebula is clearly bigger than it’s with use of the UHC filter. The central, stellar heart level is evident, particularly with AV. It is not clear to me whether or not that is the central star and whether or not the filters impact it, as I’ve seen that earlier than when observing NGC7094 in Pegasus (statement 23 September 2014, 0:08 hours).
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula clearly will not be stellar with out AV, a small, spherical glow, during which the central star is clearly seen, regularly brighter within the center.
5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula is even in brightness, the unfiltered view is healthier.
5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: This filter at this magnification ha a barely higher impact than the UHC filer does, the nebula is subtly brighter within the NE 2/3 half and is sort of instantly fainter within the 1/3 SW half. The central star is on the WNW fringe of the brighter half that isn’t a “half moon” however fairly a “3/4 moon form”, which is notable.
I actually preferred this statement and it as soon as once more confirmed what magnification can reveal on small however not-too-faint planetaries.
Losing no time, I proceeded with three extra in Aquila. First two had been Kohoutek’s: 3-26 and 3-36. Neither is stellar, however neither reveals any element.
16mm Nagler T5: Solely seen with AV, a small, faint, spherical glow of even brightness.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula is seen with out AV, even in brightness, very faint.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is barely higher than that of the UHC filter and the nebula is barely bigger, however stays even in brightness, small and faint.
11mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is clearly seen with out AV.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC, OIII: Utilizing this magnification the impact of the filters is similar to 16mm.
16mm Nagler T5: Solely seen with AV, a small, very faint, spherical glow, even in brightness, no element seen.
To the SSW is a magazine. 14 star, to the NW are 2 magazine. 13 stars aligned SE to NW.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula is clearer and barely bigger, with out AV on the restrict of visibility.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is barely higher than the impact of the UHC filter is, however the nebula is barely bigger and is subtly elongated NW to SE, however could be very faint.
11mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is seen with out AV.
11mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula is barely clearer than it’s unfiltered, however not as clear because it was with 16mm.
11mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter with this magnification is barely higher, the nebula is clearly seen, however is spherical and even in brightness.
One which did reveal element and no scarcity at that, was Peimbert-Costero 22. Displaying elongation and irregularity, at larger magnifications. The Peimbert-Bátiz & Peimbert-Costero Planetary Nebulae will probably be a brand new CSOG version, coming (very!) quickly.
16mm Nagler T5: The nebula is clearly seen, a faint NE-SW clearly elongated glow, subtly brighter within the center.
Immediately NE is a magazine. 14 star.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: This filter has impact, the nebula clearly is extra instantly brighter within the center, the central half is barely elongated in the identical route (NE-SW).
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: The impact is that this filter is comparable however subtly higher than that of the UHC filter.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is clearly very elongated. With AV subtly irregular and regularly brighter within the center.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: At this magnification this filter has a barely higher impact than the OIII filter has, the nebula is subtly irregular.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the nebula is barely clearer than it’s within the unfiltered view, however the nebula is extra even in brightness than it’s with use of the UHC filter and it’s now not irregular.
5mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is barely irregular with AV.
5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC, OIII: Utilizing this magnification and these filters the nebula is even in brightness.
The elongated form of the nebula is evident with use of all magnifications and all filters. Not a shiny nebula, however a pleasant one.
Persevering with my observations in Sagitta, I discovered Whitelock-Menzies 1 stellar and Preite-Martinez 1-295 a faint, evenly shiny glow.
16mm Nagler T5: Stellar, resembles a magazine. 14 ster.
To the WSW is a magazine. 12.5 star, barely farther to the WNW is a magazine. 13 star.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC, OIII: Utilizing filters the nebula stays seen, however is far fainter. The impact of the OIII filter is barely higher.
11mm Nagler T6: As with 16mm., stellar.
16mm Nagler T5: Solely seen with AV, a small, extraordinarily faint, spherical glow of even brightness.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula is barely clearer, however could be very faint and is even in brightness.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the nebula is on the restrict of visibility with AV however is barely bigger even when a lot fainter. An especially faint, spherical glow of even brightness. The impact of the UHC filter is healthier, the unfiltered view is greatest.
The Arrow’s upstairs neighbor is a Fox and it was in that constellation the place I logged 4 extra planetaries.
Minkowski 1-91 a.ok.a. Minkowski 4-15 is a troublesome one. A tiny sliver that I may solely detect with a bit a magnification however with out use of a filter. The pictures under are from CSOG’s Minkowski Nebulae version.
16mm Nagler T5: Utilizing this magnification the nebula will not be seen.
11mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification and AV a particularly faint, ENE-WSW elongated streak is seen to the WSW of a magazine. 13 star. Solely discernible with AV, on the restrict of visibility, faint and really flattened, clearly very elongated. A outstanding form however a tough object.
11mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC, OIII: Utilizing filters the nebula will not be seen.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula generally jumps into view however can’t be held.
Minkowksi 2-48 was simpler. Elongated, like its predecessor, however bigger and a bit brighter.
16mm Nagler T5: Solely seen with AV, a really faint, barely east-west elongated glow, subtly brighter within the center.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula is on the restrict of visibility with AV.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is less complicated to look at with AV, clearer than it’s within the unfiltered view. Even in brightness.
11mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is on the restrict of visibility with out AV.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula will not be seen.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula is faintly seen with AV, the elongated form is evident, even in brightness.
Henize 1-6, one other Deep Sky Discussion board Object of the Week (in 2023) was related, flanked by the double star Pourteau 4342.
16mm Nagler T5: A small, faint glow, seen with out AV however on the restrict of visibility, no element seen. With AV barely elongated NE-SW, even in brightness.
To the SE are a magazine. 12 (NNE) and a magazine. 13.5 (SSW) star aligned NNE to SSW (double star Pourteau 4342). To the WNW is a flattened triangle of magazine. 11 and fainter stars pointing NW.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter and AV the nebula is subtly clearer.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: The impact of this filter is barely higher than that of the UHC filter, the nebula is subtly brighter within the center.
11mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification the nebula is seen with out AV.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula is subtly clearer, because it was with 16mm.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula is faint with AV however is clearly barely elongated NE to SW and is subtly brighter within the center.
An statement I had actually, actually been wanting ahead to for a really, very very long time, was for the “Little Blue Fox”, formally often known as Patchick 15. I bear in mind the announcement of its discovery by Dana Patchick coming in on the (then Yahoo) Deep Sky Hunters Group. I attempted for it over 10 years in the past, then utilizing a 12″ SCT within the French Alps, however got here up empty. This time round with a bit extra aperture together with extra observing expertise, I lastly bagged it.
11mm Nagler T6: The nebula will not be seen, solely the magazine. 13.5 star 4UCAC566-109006 on the SW edge is seen.
11mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter the nebula is subtly discernible, however it’s clearer with use of the OIII filter.
11mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter and AV a faint, spherical, non-stellar glow is seen surrounding the magazine. 13.5 star. I’m unable to discern if the star is on the sting of the glow.
9mm Nagler T6: Utilizing this magnification, unfiltered, the nebula could be very subtly discernible utilizing AV.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this magnification and this filter the nebula will not be seen.
9mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this magnification and this filter then nebula is faint however clear and it is clear that the magazine. 13.5 star is to the SW of the center of the glow.
Time for one more Abell, this time in Lyra: nr. 46. This one, too, made it as a Deep Sky Discussion board Object of the Week and did so fairly just lately.
16mm Nagler T5: An especially faint, spherical, comparatively giant glow, even in brightness, no element seen. solely discernible with AV. The central star (V477 Lyrae) is clearly seen, roughly magazine. 14.
To the east is a magazine. 15 star, twice that distance to the west is a magazine. 14.5 star.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon UHC: Utilizing this filter and AV the glow is clearly seen, the central star and stars within the neighborhood should not seen. The nebula is brightest in a semi-circular arc north of the place of the central star, which is brightest within the NW half.
16mm Nagler T5, Lumicon OIII: Utilizing this filter the nebula is extra even in brightness.
Simply as I had ETHOS 1 in my Nagler (… see what I did there?) and noticing its faint extensions right away, observing buddy Han referred to as out: “What’s that..?!” It wasn’t one other rocket streaking by, sadly. It was clouds. “You’ve got be to sh!tting me”, was my reply. Getting up from my observer’s seat, wanting northwards over the home, much more of it might be seen approaching from the northwest. That was not speculated to occur…
I shortly made it again to my scope however as I used to be about to press the button on my memo recorder to start out logging my statement for the ETHOS planetary, it slowly vanished in entrance of my eyes. Déjà vu: not the planetary, however the phenomenon. From this very same location and once more when trying to file a primary statement for a planetary. Again then it was Simeis 22 that managed to elude my observing log by mere seconds…
We sat it out till 3 within the morning, however the cloud cowl solely grew thicker. Bummer.
– Blog continues below the observations table –
Observations
13 planetary nebulae
1 asterism
9 double stars
Whole: 23 observations
First time observations: 21 objects
Particulars of the objects noticed on this session are within the desk under.
The nights of the twenty fifth (morning and night) could be all this astrotrip produced. Solely 87 observations logged, albeit for 53 first-timers.
Let’s examine the place the subsequent journey will take me.
