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Location: Anza desert site, Bortle 4.
Equipment: Celestron 9.25” Edge HD SCT and Stellarvue 102ED on SW SkyTee 2 manual AltAz mount.
7/8/2020
NEOWISE comet is all the news now. Unfortunately, it is hiding behind the mountains to the east presently. However, there were a couple of other comets accessible with binos or small scopes:
C/2019 U6 (Lemmon) – comet in Leo, mag: 7.1, size: 8.5’. This is bright and easy to find comet; obvious even in 102mm refractor with XW 14mm (51x), gorgeous in Edge 9.25” with XW 20mm (118x). Looks like a large unresolved glob.
88 P/Howell – comet in Virgo, mag 10.5, size: 3.9’. Tougher to resolve; faint round spot in Edge 9.25” with XW 20mm (118x).
The rest of the evening was devoted to hunting galaxies in Ursa Minor. This area was tough going last dark cycle, but the sky looked much better tonight.
Ursa Minor galaxies (all with Edge 9.25”).
NGC 5452 – extremely faint oval with averted vision (AV), moving EP for detection. Pentax XW 10mm (235x). NGC 5712 - extremely faint AV oval. Pentax XW 10mm (235x). NGC 5819 – small narrow shape with AV. Pentax XW 20mm (118x), XW 14mm (168x). NGC 5832 - faint oval with brighter central area. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 5836 – narrow shape. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 5912 and 5909 – two faint ovals next to each other. NGC 5912 is a bit brighter. Pentax XW 10mm (235x). NGC 6011 – faint narrow shape next to star. Pentax XW 10mm (235x). NGC 6048 – small wide oval with brighter core. Pentax XW 20mm (118x).
NGC 6068 – faint oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6068A – tiny narrow faint spec next to star. Pentax XW 10mm (235x). NGC 6071 – faint small narrow oval. Pentax XW 14mm (168x). NGC 6079 - faint oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6094 – faint wide oval with AV. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6251 – faint round disk. Pentax XW 20mm (118x), 14mm (168x) and 10mm (235x). NGC 6252 – extremely faint spot with AV below NGC 6251, shaking EP for detection. Pentax XW 10mm (235x). NGC 6324 – faint oval with AV. Pentax XW 14mm (168x). NGC 6331 – extremely faint small spot with AV, shaking EP for detection. Pentax XW 10mm (235x).
The Ring Nebula
I had a few minutes before Moon comes out and decided to take my first look with Edge 9.25” at M57. Oh boy what a view! Gorgeous, large and bright, with ton of details. However, there was no colors other than overall greenish tint. In the past I have seen red to blue color transition with 8” SCT and was expecting the same if not better. I will revisit on other nights.
I watched moonrise at ~23:30 and went to the last leg of the evening – shootout between Celestron Edge 9.25” and Stellarvue 102ED on Jupiter.
Jupiter
Callisto shadow transit was in progress and the sharp black little circle was well defined in both scopes. GRS was visible to, but barely resolved. The seeing was below average – typical for this season, however at the moments of calmer air multiple belts on Jupiter were coming in focus. I have tried different EPs and filters in both scopes. The amount of resolved details was about the same in both scopes. I could push to higher power with 9.25” Edge/Pentax XW 10mm (203x, 1mm exit pupil), but the glare of Jupiter was more intense in it. Jupiter image was larger but softer and with less contrast. With SV102ED the best views were achieved with TV Delite 5mm (143x, 0.7mm exit pupil), Jupiter disk was smaller, but the belts looked sharper and contrastier.
On a good night in the past I was able to push my plain 8” SCT above 300x for some fantastic views of Jupiter. I am sure 9.25” Edge should do even better. However, on average night it seems that there is no advantage of pulling anything larger than 4” ED doublet.
7/11/20
On the second night of the week I have selected Draco as my hunting grounds.
Draco galaxies (all with 9.25” Edge).
NGC 2908 – faint oval with averted vision (AV). Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 4391 – small oval with stellar core. Pentax XW 14mm (168x). NGC 4441 – faint elongated oval. Pentax XW 14mm (168x). NGC 4545 – faint round disk with brighter central area. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 4572 – small elongated oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 4589 – bright small disk with round core. XW 20mm (118x). NGC 4648 – small oval with stellar core. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 4693 – extremely faint small spot, shaking EP for detection. Pentax XW 14mm (168x).
NGC 4749 – AV oval in Pentax XW 20mm (118x), not detected in XW 14mm (168x). NGC 4857 – FAIL. NGC 5667 – small narrow oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 5777 – sharp edge-on. XW 14mm (168x). NGC 5881 – small faint oval with AV. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 5894 – faint narrow edge-on. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 5963 – large relatively bright wide oval next to NGC 5965. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 5987 – small narrow lens. Pentax XW 20mm (118x).
NGC 5989 – faint round disk. Pentax XW 14mm (168x). NGC 6088 – very faint small spot, A and B not resolved. Pentax XW 14mm (168x). NGC 6140 – wide oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6143 – faint spot with AV. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6182 – small faint oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6338 – faint oval. Pentax XW 20mm (118x). NGC 6434 – faint narrow disk with AV next to star. Pentax XW 14mm (168x).
NGC6742 – PN - faint round disk, no filters. Pentax XW 14mm (168x).
Finished with the galaxies (and one PN) around midnight. Jupiter was beckoning but the seeing was poor and no transits in progress, so I decided to call it quits.
I agree about the aperture and seeing issues. When I had my Edge 9.25 it needed better than average seeing for planetary detail to be any better than with smaller scopes.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
I agree about the aperture and seeing issues. When I had my Edge 9.25 it needed better than average seeing for planetary detail to be any better than with smaller scopes.
Thanks nFA! Waiting for that magical night which would make the Edge justice.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Looking forward to the time when I can bring one of my "big" 150mm Newts to a darker sky site and just hit galaxy after galaxy with ease, similar to what you do on these Anza nights (but with your larger aperture scopes obviously). All 3 of my 150mm Newts have not seen action away from home (one hasn't even been given a "first light" yet!). In fact, I've brought a 5" to darker sky sites just twice in my observing history (?!).
I like your comparison of Jupiter between the two scopes. Sometimes I get those moments of great seeing with the 5" Newt but many times the views aren't much different than with a 70mm F/12.9 achro. Saw the shadow transit of Callisto as well, including the time when the moon was at the limb of Jupiter.
Good catch of the two comets as well! Looking forward to seeing Neowise soon - good to see a bright comet for a change (PanStarrs was virtually invisible from my LP skies, even with 6" scopes).
Scopes: Reflectors, refractors, and 1 catadioptric. Ranging in aperture from 50mm to 150mm.
You rebel - looking at different comets than the main attraction!
Looks like a couple of great nights - glad you were able to share. I too liked the Jupiter comparison between the scopes.
-- Brett
Scope: Apertura AD10 with Nexus II with 8192/716000 Step Encoders EPs: ES 82* 18mm, 11mm, 6.7mm; GSO 30mm Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars List Counts:Messier: 75;Herschel 400: 30;Caldwell: 12; AL Carbon Star List: 16 Brett's Carbon Star Hunt
terrynak wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:52 am
A wonderful pair of sessions Andrey!
Looking forward to the time when I can bring one of my "big" 150mm Newts to a darker sky site and just hit galaxy after galaxy with ease, similar to what you do on these Anza nights (but with your larger aperture scopes obviously). All 3 of my 150mm Newts have not seen action away from home (one hasn't even been given a "first light" yet!). In fact, I've brought a 5" to darker sky sites just twice in my observing history (?!).
I like your comparison of Jupiter between the two scopes. Sometimes I get those moments of great seeing with the 5" Newt but many times the views aren't much different than with a 70mm F/12.9 achro. Saw the shadow transit of Callisto as well, including the time when the moon was at the limb of Jupiter.
Good catch of the two comets as well! Looking forward to seeing Neowise soon - good to see a bright comet for a change (PanStarrs was virtually invisible from my LP skies, even with 6" scopes).
Thanks Terry! With my skyline I have a better chance to catch Neowise in the evening and the window is coming.
KingNothing13 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 12:27 pm
You rebel - looking at different comets than the main attraction!
Looks like a couple of great nights - glad you were able to share. I too liked the Jupiter comparison between the scopes.
Thanks Brett! C/2019 U6 (Lemmon) is definitely worth seeing.
Interesting - looks like it is moving East vs. the sun so it should be up later. I may have to give it a shot - if it's ever not red here again.
Comet Chasers has it listed as being high in the sky during twilight at the end of the month - hopefully it stays bright enough to actually find!
-- Brett
Scope: Apertura AD10 with Nexus II with 8192/716000 Step Encoders EPs: ES 82* 18mm, 11mm, 6.7mm; GSO 30mm Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars List Counts:Messier: 75;Herschel 400: 30;Caldwell: 12; AL Carbon Star List: 16 Brett's Carbon Star Hunt
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:52 pm
Thanks Terry! With my skyline I have a better chance to catch Neowise in the evening and the window is coming.
Yup, looking forward to that upcoming window for Neowise after dusk!
Scopes: Reflectors, refractors, and 1 catadioptric. Ranging in aperture from 50mm to 150mm.
Very good observations!
Must have been great nights. In your case I would have done the same: " Neowise obscured?" Then another comet!"
You proved again that, given moderate to inferior seeing circumstances, the smaller aperture with moderate magnifications has an advantage above larger aperture on Jupiter. Thanks!
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX. GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets). Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5. Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS,*Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40 Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt. Amateur astronomer since 1970.
Great report Andrey. Glad that you could get out for two successful nights. Neowise is now rising in the sky after sunset and should make a good target.
-Michael Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N