Took the scope out for a few hours of observing. Scanned the area around Cassiopea to get the eyes dark adapted. First up was M103, a small open cluster located close to Ruchbah in Cassiopea. M103 is a very small open cluster with a bright star on each end. It appears to be triangular in shape and has a light glow behind it. Moving past M103 we run into the large open cluster NGC 663. NGC 663 is a large cluster with many stars scattered. Upon close observation there appears to be a group of stars forming a "Z" in shape. NGC 663 serves also as a great "post" in finding NGC 659 and NGC 654, which lay close by. By following a line of three bright stars above NGC 663 takes you to NGC 654. Upon direct observation perhaps one star is resolved with a great amount of glow behind it. Wide aversion helps to resolve more stars. When wide aversion is used the cluster seems to be on the edge of resolving itself. To the right of NGC 663 is NGC 659, another small cluster located around the large NGC 663. Under direct vision it appears as a patch of light with few stars resolved. This cluster grabs your attention when at the eyepiece. A triangle asterism of stars points toward this small cluster. Short aversion helps to resolve more stars within this cluster.
After viewing those clusters in Cassiopea I decide to move over into the constellation Gemini to look at NGC 2392, the Eskimo Nebula. I started my search at the star Wasat and simply moved the scope down untill NGC 2392 appeared in the field of view. At first the view of this nebula appeares to be almost stellar, but was obviously not a star. Increasing the maginifcation forces it to reveal more of itself. NGC 2392 appears as a bright circluar patch of light with a faint pale blue tint to it. Upon closer examination you can see that it has a much abruptly brighter center. There is a fairly bright star located just below this planetary nebula.
Moving on I decide to visit Jupiter. The Great Red Spot was easily visible to the right of the planets meridian. While I was viewing I noticed that there was a dark spot in the NEB below the Great Red Spot in the eyepiece. Io was to the right of the planet, while Europa, Ganymede and Callisto were to the left. Callisto was putting quite a distance from itself and Jupiter, as it was about 86 degrees on its trip around Jupiter.
I decided to finish the session on Jupiter, I didn't look at M42 or Saturn tonight. Oh well, they will be back again. They always will be.
February 20, 2003
Objects observed: M31, M32, M42, M43, M81, M82, NGC 884, NGC 869, Jupiter, Saturn.
The sky was cloudy mostly today, so I wasn't expecting to be able to take the scope out tonight. You know what? I was wrong. But this was a good thing. I quickly took out the scope, not knowing how long this will last. First target was M42, to get my eyes dark adapted. I stood there staring into the eyepiece, take my eye away, and look at the sky for my next target. I decided to move to NGC 884 and NGC 869, the Double Cluster.
So many stars are visible in this cluster and they both appear in the same field of view in the 25mm eyepiece. More stars became visible the longer I stared into the eyepiece as my eyes became more dark adapted. When I felt that my eyes where one hundred percent dark adapted I went back to M42 for another view. This time, much more of the nebula was visible! I put in the 6.3mm to get right in on it. When the 6.3mm is used it looks lumpy in appearance with many dark dust clouds visible. In between the M42 and M43 is the "fishmouth" also easily visible as a dark part of the nebula. But I was ready to move on, and decided to get M31 before it goes behind the trees.
M31 was much fainter than it usually is. The sky seemed to have a thin layer of haze. But however this great galaxy in Andromeda was easily visible. Its bright core and then the light haze surrounding that. M32, not too far away was also visible... but much fainter than usual. M110 was not to be seen. I guess the position in the sky was also bad, its getting fairly low now. It wont be long untill this great object is below the horizon and out of sight. I decided to move on to Saturn.
Saturn was a great sight with Titan easily visible! I couldn't find Rhea though. The planet itself was a great view with its white equatorial band easily visible. But what makes Saturn so great is not its bands or pole darkening. It is the rings! Looking at the rings the Cassini divsion is easily visible as a pencil thin black line running through the rings. But now Jupiter was high enough for me to get some decent views of it.
Moving to Jupiter I find only three moons visible... where is the fourth? Two were to the left of the planet an one was to the right. I went inside to locate the position of the fourth. The fourth and hidden moon was Ganymede, it is in front of the planet! Europa was the single moon to the right, while Io and Callisto were to the left. I went back out to see if I could see Ganymede in front of the planet. I re-aim the telescope to Jupiter. Using the 6.3mm I could see Ganymede in front of the planet, it was inbetween the SEB and NEB. Very small, looked like a tiny circle of cloud on the planet. That's the first time I ever saw one of Jupiters moons in front of the planet.
What's this? Clouds? there is a large cloud moving in taking over the sky, and I wanted to see M81 and M82 tonight! I quickly move the scope to the dipper and start searching. I found them in about one minute, the clouds were about half-way through the sky. M82 had a very interesting core. M81 was also cool, but they were much fainter than the last time I saw them... blame that on the haze and sky position. The clouds were closing and I finished viewing them. I packed up and brought the scope in... another great session tonight!
February 18, 2003
Objects observed: M1, M42, M43, Jupiter, Saturn.
After a very long wait, the sky has cleared... and now the stars shine bright again! But for how long will I get clear skies? Weather predicts it to be cloudy again untill perhaps Sunday. But, I got clear skies tonight and I had to take the opportunity to get out and view. At the start of my observations, the sky was completely dark, and the moon was no where to be seen. I started off with a great view of M42. It has been such a long time since I got a fairly dark sky view of this nebula. It shines in all its glory. But I must move, I wanted to see M1 before the moon rises and brightens the sky.
Moving up to Taurus I land the scope in the area of M1. Take a look into the eyepiece and the faint medium sized blob is easily visible. I only took a quick look. I was ready to study Saturn. Move up and to the right, and then we get a great view of the ringed wonder. The central band was easily visible, along with the Cassini division. But I decided to move on, to Jupiter.
Jupiter was the main attraction tonight and I was surprised with the views. Europa appeared to be red in color, this is the first time one of Jupiter's moons showed some color. After that I searched the bands for the Great Red Spot, and this time... I think I got it! I found a part in the Band where there seems to be a hole, the band below it was perfect with no gaps, when the one above it and to the right in the band had a gap in it. I came in and checked the GRS's position, and it matched in the exact location of the "gap" in the band! I will have to see if I can find this gap again and know for 100% if it is the GRS. Overall a very nice mostly planetary session, decided to come in when the moon was easily visible in the trees.
February 10, 2003
Objects observed: The Moon.
Finally, clear skies again! The clouds have moved on, an in their wake, are clear skies so I may gaze upon the stars above once more. Shining down upon me so bright, the moon. Time to say hello, to our next door neighbor. Set up the scope, and prepare myself for about two hours of non-stop moon watching mania. Eyepieces of choice are the Orion 6.3mm Sirius Plossl and the Celestron 25mm. First glance through the 6.3mm yields some fairly bright views, time for the moon filter! I screw the moon filter into the bottom of the eyepiece, now lets take a look! Much better, the moon is much easier to look at and more detail is visible upon its cratered surface.
First I scan the Terminator area to soak in all the great views. Ahhh, look over there... it's Clavius! Clavius, such an intriguing crater this one is. It's large and easy to observe, but the special thing about Clavius is its little craters within it. When you first view Clavius the thing most likely to catch your eye will be the craters within this crater. They form a curve in shape, and go from small to big.
But now, lets move just a little bit. Then we run into Tycho, another lunar marvel. This crater jumps out at you when viewed. It is very bright, and is easily visible to the naked eye on a night of the full moon. It is one of the greatest craters on the moon, atleast on my list! The crater seems to be on a elevation, because there are slopes all the way around it, that gradually level out with moon. Tycho is also surrounded by a ring of fairly large craters.
Lets move just a little bit more, to Orontius. Oriontius is another strange looking crater. It has a crater overlapping it, and then the crater that is overlapping Orontius, has one overlapping it! It is three craters that form a line. And then, off of the third is another large crater with central peak. This is only three craters I viewed tonight, I would tell you about all the ones I viewed, but that would fill up this whole page. If the sky is clear tomorrow, I will be sure to continue with my Lunar Observations. I end my session with a fair well view of the moon through the 25mm. Pack up, and head into the warmth of the indoors.
February 05, 2003
Objects observed: M44, M51, M65, M66, M81, M82, M97, M108, Virgo Cluster, Jupiter.
Early morning observations, I was still awake at 1:00 and took a look outside to see how the clouds were doing. Take a step out, look up... no clouds, just crisp clear skies! Could you guess what I did next? Out came the scope! Setting up I decide I want to look at M51 first, as it is one of my favorites. I move the scope to the star on the dippers end star of the handle. And from there we do just a tiny bit of hopping. Bingo! There it is! It appears as a circular patch of light with a close companion. I then log all this down into my Messier Log. I looked at M51 very closely to see if I could get any spiral structure... but it seemed it wasn't giving any. Next up? How about we hop all the way over to Leo, for a sneak peek at the M65 and M66? Sounds good, lets go. Ahhh, there they are, both of them in the same field of view! NGC 3628 also seemed to make an appearance, but I didnt want to take the time to verify that. It will be up again, and I am in a rush to get back in so I can sleep. Next I went to M97 and M108, back in Ursa Major.
Took a few minutes of searching but I spotted M97 first. I looked like a fairly big circular patch of light in the 20mm. But now for a bit of a challenge, M108. It turned out that M108 wasn't that much difficult at all. I looked around M97, and spotted a faint patch of light near a "Y" of stars that kept catching my eye. So I go check the charts, and they matched. So, it was M108 that kept grabbing my attention. I like to do that when looking for faint objects... it helps you to be able to locate them easier. Well time was ticking and I was ready to find M81 and M82 again.
After a few minutes of searching I located M81 and M82. M81 had a very bright core with light fuzz surrounding it. Tried to get the spiral structure, but didn't get. Tried different magnifications on it, all the way up to the 6.3mm. But I still didnt get a look at its spiral structure. So I turn my focus to M82, a irregular galaxy. This galaxy seemed to be giving more structure than M81. Looking towards M82's core, I could clearly see some kind of structure! And then the rest of the galaxy appeared in its elongated shape. I found M82 to be more impressive than M81, but they are both great galaxies. But now I was ready to get my feet wet in the Virgo Cluster!
After locating the area of the Virgo Cluster in the sky, I point my scope to the dead center. Move my eye to the eyepiece. Already one Galaxy in the visible! Move a little bit, two, three, four! I saw about seven or so galaxies total just by browsing aroun in the cluster! I haven't been able to identify them yet, but that will come in time. I spent about twenty minutes just looking around, getting used to the area. For I am sure that I will spend alot of time here, once it enters the evening sky!
After browsing the Virgo Cluster, I decided to have a look at Jupiter. As always atleast two to three bands were visible, darkening towards the poles, and all four moons. I was getting tired, but I thought I would finish the session with a look at The beehive, M44. Many bright stars scattered all through out this large cluster. It is a nice cluster, and visible to the naked eye in my backyard as a fuzzy patch of light in the sky. An excellent session.
February 02, 2003
Objects observed: M31, M36, M37, M38, M42, M44, M45, Saturn.
Decided to use the binoculars mostly tonight. However I did set up the scope to finish off the Auriga trio of open clusters! M38 was the target for the scope, and was also a target for the binoculars! First viewed it with the scope. In the telescope M38 looked like a large cluster, easily picked out from the surrounding star field. But now I will take a quick peek at Saturn. Cassini divison was visible, although not as clear as yesterday. Equatorial band and pole darkening were also easily visible. Now I lower the tripod to the scope and take the binoculars out of the case.
First up for the binoculars was the M36, M37 and M38. Took a few minutes of browsing but I eventually found and identified the three. All three appeard as fuzz spots in the binoculars of a fair size. I think I saw some stars resolved but I couldn't hold the binoculars steady enought to see them that well. Next up for the Binoculars was M31. M31 appeared as a elongated patch of light, and took up its fair share of the 5 degree field of view. After M31 I decided to see another easy object and look at M42. M42 looked like a patch of nebulosity with many stars surrounding it. It was a nice view, and it is nice to zoom out and see what surrounds what I usually see in the scope. Next up was M45, great like they always are. When viewed with binoculars many more stars are revealed. It is a great view! One of the best binoculars provide. After that I headed over to M44 to explore the bee hive. A great view in the binoculars with many stars visible! A large cluster also! And after that the haze was getting all over the sky and getting more dense, so I decided to come back in... the sky will clear again, I know it will.
February 01, 2003
Objects observed: Comet NEAT C/2002 V1, M1, M31, M32, M36, M37, M42, M43, M44, M45, M52, M67, M76, M78, M103, M110, Jupiter, Saturn.
The sky was getting dark and I was preparing my self to search for comet NEAT. Eventually the sky darkened enough for Pegasus to be visible, thats when I set up the scope. Taking all my stuff into the front yard so that the comet would be above the tree tops, I start searching. Take a look into the eyepiece, nope not there, so I keep searching. About 15 minutes later I catch sight of a bright object.... the comet. Oh, my this was a great sight indeed. I was expecting it to be like Kudo-Fujikawa... but this was by far better! You could see a bright circular core with lots of light fuzz around it. Looking below the core, you get a faint view of the tail. The comet as a whole looks like a candle flame... except not red and that bright. It was an amazing view, and the best comet I have seen with my telescope yet!
Ok now the sky was getting even darker, and I had some hunting to do! I planed to view alot of messiers tonight to put towards the Astronomical League Messier certificate I am working for. So, first on the list was to look at M31, M32, and M110. Ahh, there it is big and bright... that descibes M31! M32, a little "star" with some fuzz around it. And then theres M110, this is the most difficult of the trio. But it is fairly easily visible. Looks like an Elongated patch of light, pointing towards M31. Ok I finished logging thouse three into the book, where to now? How about some Clusters in Cassiopea? Off I go...
First up for the Cassiopea clusters is M103. M103 is a small but easily seen cluster. It appears to be a triangle in shape... and has a light glow behind it. Not much to look at so I move on to M52. Here we go... this is a much better cluster! It is small compact and dense! There is one bright star located in the cluster. This cluster is easily picked out from the surrounding field! Times passing by, and theres alot more objects to view, so now we must move on.
I decided to go across the sky and view M45, The Pleiades in Taurus. This is one big cluster!! Easily visible to the naked eye. It has many members and is a great view! The bright stars form a dipper shape. Next up is M1, The Crab Nebula, located just above the bulls lower horn. Looking into the eyepiece, we see a faint oval patch of light, the nebula. It is fairly large... and hard to see to the first few time you look for it. Every time I look at it, it seems to be easier to see.
Well, now lets go explore the constellation of Orion! First target? M42 of course! There it is, in all its glory. You will never get tired of this nebula... the view is too great. Next up, we go in search for M78, a reflection nebula. And there it is! It is a fairly small nebula with two stars resolved in it. It dose seem to closely resemble a comet. It appears to be a little elongated in shape. After another quick swing by M42 and M43 I head out for more.
Then we head back in Taurus for a quick view of Saturn. Titan, Rhea and Dione were visible. Along with the equatorial band and pole darkening. Cassini very easily visible tonight. But we must move on... we have more hunting to do. Off we got to Auriga, which is right overhead! We take in the M36, and M37, two great open clusters... but whats this? M38 is too directly over head so I can't point the scope at it!! Oh, well there will be other nights for this one. But now I can clearly see Jupiter over the house calling for me. I head out to explore. Whoa, there it is, three bands visible, and the North and South regions appear much darker than the usually creamy white surface. All four of its moons were also easily visible. But now we must move on once more, clouds are starting to claim the sky piece by piece, and I wanted a few more messiers before I was done tonight! So lets move on.
But where to go? How about into some "new" territory. We are in seach of M44, the Beehive Cluster! Wow, this is a large cluster!! Many bright stars, and it appears to look somewhat like a swarm of bees! But we cant stay here too long, one more tonight and then im gone. Lets try for another new one to me, M67. Wow there it is and the clouds are closing in! A small compact cluster. With many stars easily resolved, and then the whole image slowly dims.. clouds. So I decided it is time to pack up and come in from the cold of the night.
