I set the scope out to cool with only a few clouds in the sky. When I got back out? It was cloudy! However Jupiter was visible in a gap of the clouds and I pointed the scope to it. To my amazement, I instantly spotted the Great Red Spot. There was light detail actually visible within the Great Red Spot. The band following the Great Red Spot was very turbulent. The clouds eventually went in front of Jupiter and I brought the scope in. The Views I am getting of Jupiter make it worth the scope itself.
April 28, 2003
Objects observed: M13, M51, M81, M82, M95, M96, M105, Jupiter.
Telescope Used: 254mm Dobsonian Reflector.
Set the scope out to cool and noticed that Jupiter was already visible in the sky. I point the finder to it and insert a 25mm Plossl eyepiece. All four moon were off to the left of the planet through the scope. Using the 6.3mm added much magnification. About 4 or 5 bands were visible. As well as few darker areas. The Great Red Spot was not transiting and I am yet to see Jupiter when it is transiting with the 254mm.
After that I came back inside for about a half hour to let the sky darken and the scope to cool. When the time was up I headed back out and first found myself heading to M51. In the 25mm I could clearly see each galaxies nucleus. There is a bit of fuzz that appears upon aversion that looks like it could be the spiral arms. The fuzz that appears seems to also connect the two galaxies, which I am assuming is one of the Spiral arms. I tried using the 10mm but got about the same results. I think I could possibly get it if my neighbors would turn off their porch light. One thing special happened while viewing M51 that has never happened before. A meteor flew by while I was observing M51! As soon as it appeared, it disappeared. Quite amazing.
Then I was off to M81 and M82. I have been returning to these two alot recently. I used higher maginification on M81 but all I basically got a bigger (but dimmer) version of what I get in the 25mm. After that I decided to head to Leo and try for M105 and others again.
When I was looking for M105 I ran into two fairly bright galaxies close to each other. Almost seeming as close as M51 and NGC 5195 as in the telescope. I checked my charts and couldn't get them to match with any of the stars, and this couldn't be M105 with a galaxy so close, or could it? I checked on the computer and found that infact, M105 has two fairly close galaxies. And not only that, but the stars surrounding them matched. I couldn't find the thrid galaxy to go along with them. I'd say that the galaxy I did see along with M105 was NGC 3384, however I cannot confirm because of how close NGC 3389 is. NGC 3384's magnitude is about 10, which is brighter than NGC 3389 which is at nearly 12. So I am assuming it was NGC 3384 that I saw along with M105. Eventually finding my way I located M96, which appeared to be round in shape and bright. It wasn't too far from M105. Moving more I found M95 it appeared to be smaller than M96 and also fainter. Also round in shape with perhaps a bit of elongation. This group of galaxies gave me trouble in the 114mm, but the 254mm showed them clearly.
For the last object I decided to goto M13. Although not high I could resolve it all the way to its core using aversion in the 10mm Plossl. Very nice Globular Cluster and I cannot wait untill it gets into higher and more stable skies. A great night!
April 27-28, 2003
Objects observed: M3, M51, M53, M81, M82, M109.
Telescope Used: 254mm Dobsonian Reflector.
Started off the session with M51. It seems the more I look at this galaxy the more apparent its spiral structure becomes. Using aversion M51 becomes much more readily visible and I think I can make out the spiral arm between M51 and NGC 5195. Something is definately visible. I'm just having a bit of trouble to be sure that this is infact the spiral structure that is lightly popping out.
Next I moved over to M81 and M82. M82 still is more interesting than M81 in my opinion. It has to be all the structure visible in M82 that makes it such a great target.
Next I found M109 for the first time. M109 is close to the star Phecda in the "dipper section" of Ursa Major. It appeared elongated in shape and was fairly easily visible, not difficult.
Now I was off to confirm if infact that was M3 that I saw last night. I was going to start off with M53 and then head to M3. However, on my way to M53 I ran into a bright object. Obviously not a Globular it looked much like a galaxy. I think this object was M64; the black eye galaxy. I spent a few minutes trying to confirm this but couldn't. Perhaps another target to confirm another clear night. Moving over I did finally find M53. Obviously a Globular but not what I saw last night. M53 appeared to be Granular in appearance with perhaps a few stars resolved.
Moving yet again, I landed on M3. This is what I saw the previous night. And now I know for sure it wasn't M53. Checking the map to make sure the surrounding stars matched with that in the scope, they did. This is a great Globular. Using aversion I could resolve it all the way to the core! Quite a great Globular and gets me ready for M13!
April 27, 2003
Objects observed: The Sun.
Telescope Used: 114mm Newtonian Reflector.
The Sun was very interesting today with many large spots spread through out its face. The most interesting spots were 334, 337, and 345.
"SOHO (ESA & NASA) MDI"
344 is to the center top in the above image. 337 is toward the center bottom right. And 345 is in the bottom left.
April 26-27, 2003
Objects observed: M13, M44, M51, M65, M66, M81, M82, M97, M104, M108, NGC 5195, "Virgo Cluster", Jupiter.
Telescope Used: 254mm Dobsonian Reflector.
I recieved the new Orion XT 10" in the mail yesterday. I assembled it yesterday and since it was cloudy didn't get to take it out. So tonight when the sky was clear?? I was out. First up for the new 254mm is Jupiter. Even with only the 25mm I could already tell a difference. The planet was much brighter and the bands stood out much more than any time previously. Using the 4mm gave a great view. The two main equatorial bands were reddish brown in color. There was also many smaller bands visible. About four or five in total, perhaps more. Also visible was a shadow from a moon inbetween the SEB and NEB. Next up, and easily visible in the finder is M44. Through the 25mm the Open Cluster fills the field of view. Many stars were visible and the clusters size was quite large.
I next viewed M65 and M66 in Leo. The sky hadn't fully darkened nor had my eyes fully dark adapted but they were visible instantly. I took a quick search for the third galaxy located close, but I was in a hurry to get to M81 and M82. So, then next target?? M81 and M82!
Wow, these two were instantly visible and quite bright. M81 had a very bright nucleus and a light fuzz surrounding it. I tried to pull out some structure but I couldn't perhaps in time. And then M82. Its cigar shape was very easily seen. Using higher magnification made the galaxy dimmer, but much larger. I was amazed at how much magnification the galaxies could take now. M82's central core region was showing a bit of detail as the outer parts of the galaxy eventually ended.
M51 was very easily seen, and NGC 5195, its companion was also very easily seen. The two galaxies seemed to have a bit more individual resolution instead of almost clumping together as in the 114mm. It feels as if though I was on the edge of bringing out the Spiral Structure. When I would use aversion on M51 the galaxy would seem to "fuzz up" and begin to be more visible. However, at the same time it was fairly difficult to pick out the shape of the fuzz that would appear. However, it was still an excellent sight and I'm sure I will get the spiral structure out of this one some day. I just need more practice with the new scope.
Next I visited M108. M108 appeared much brighter than in the 114mm. I would categorize it as easily visible. It was a fairly small, quite bright elongated patch of light. Not too far away is M97, the Owl Nebula. The Owl Nebula looked mostly the same as in the 114mm however in the 254mm it was much brighter, also easily seen. Using higher magnification didn't reveal anymore detail or Structure in M97.
Next I found M104 for the first time. I was surprised at how small this galaxy was. I guess I was expecting the sombrero to be big. However M104 could take the magnification! The dark dust band was visible just below the nucleus of the galaxy. Overall this galaxy was quite impressive and quite bright in the 254mm.
Took a quick walk through the Virgo Cluster. Many galaxies were visible randomly spread throughout the galaxy cluster. It is going to be tough Identifying these galaxies as there are very few guide stars within the cluster. It is going to take some nights dedicated to identification only.
I also took a look at what I believe was M3... however M53 is fairly close and I'm not going to assume anything yet. This Globular Cluster was resolved!! Quite astonishing. There were many stars visible around the outer edges of the Globular Cluster as well as some within the cluster towards the core.
The last object I saw was M13 on its way up. Although fairly low in the horizon I was still able to get stars resolved!! It is going to be quite spetacular when it has risen more. Overall a very great session. I love this scope. It is amazing. Provides some very wonderful views of the cosmos.
April 22, 2003
Objects observed: The Sun.
The Sun was very interesting today with one spot very detailed. Sunspot 337 in the large bottom left spot was quite prominent and has a "halo" of smaller spots surrounding it. Limb darkening was very evident. A group of spots 338 to the center right in the image was also was quite intriguing.
"SOHO (ESA & NASA) MDI"
April 13, 2003
Objects observed: Mercury.
My first look at Mercury! I was outside for about an hour watching the planets appear. Jupiter, then Saturn later. I was waiting to see if I could Mercury as it is approaching its highest point for this year. I finally did spot it in the west. A lone "star" glowing in the still fairly bright sky. I quickly got the binoculars to confirm that it was actually Mercury. Viewing through the binoculars I saw a very red star. I was sure it was it! I went back inside and took out the scope quickly as it was just a little bit above my neighbors house. I pointed the scope and inserted the 6.3mm eyepiece. It was Mercury and I could even make out its phase! It was in about half phase and a orange whitesh red color tint to it. It was also small. But I'm glad to have finally viewed the inner most planet. A great session.
April 12, 2003
Objects observed: Jupiter, Moon.
Started the session with a view of the Moon in the 20mm eyepiece. With this eyepiece you get a view of the whole moon. Many craters and much detail along the terminator. Increasing to the 6.3mm give a much better view. Alot of detail is visible within the craters at this magnification. Especially the crater Gassendi. The Moon was in a Waxing Gibbous phase with 80% of its face visible.
Jupiter was showing moderate detail. The Great Red Spot was not transitting. Io, Ganymede and Callisto were to the left of the planet while Europa was to the right in the telescope. The SEB and NEB were showing nice detail. A few spots that appeared to be darker than the rest of the band. The limb darkening was also quite prominent.
