Quick Session

[KingNothing13]

I was having some problems with the encoders for the Nexus II. After some emails and a phone call from Serge, (all the way from Australia!), it was definitely installer/user error. If anyone is curious, the set screws on the bottom aluminum plate need to be tightened all of the way possible to hold the center bolt!

I am also trying to figure out the focusing issue that cropped up at some point. I assume I need to un-collimate and start over, I just haven't had the motivation to do it yet.

AND, on top of all of that, it was colder than expected last night - so I didn't stay out too long, as I was woefully unprepared.

BUT I did manage to knock a few new objects off my list.

NGC 7009 (Saturn Nebula) - Wow - that is a small little blob. It is very blue though, and very much non-stellar. Cycling through EPs and not much help either. Doesn't help that neighbors light is on. It is possible I've seen in the past, but moved over it, not thinking it was it. It sits in a mildly interesting star field - noticeable to me are the two that are to the NW of the nebula. Hard to make out any detail on the nebula right now - not dark adapted, and I do not think I will be tonight.

NGC 6818 - Little Gem Nebula - That is small and dim - not going to try and bump mag on it - way to small, and I do not have dark adaptation tonight - so it will not help me at all. Has an orange/red star leading to the west. The nebula itself is very small - I think I can detect a little color to it, but that could be imagination.

NGC 6934 - A small glob, with a brighter non-member leading to the west. Used 18 and 11 - difficult to make out any shape or pattern to it.

Jupiter - All 4 Galilean moons to the west- pretty wild. And a shadow transit of one of them as well (Ganymede) All of the cloud bands are visible. Looking good tonight, even with some thermals passing through the view.

NGC 7662 (Blue Snowball Nebula) - Another small, blue nebula to close the night. It is there, and obviously not stellar. Blue. I can make out the blue. I think.

I also took a peek at Saturn, M 31, and M 11 but did not log them.

Bumped my H400 list count up to 26 and Caldwell to 6. While it was a quick, cold night - it was productive!

Thanks for reading.

[Lady Fraktor]

Congratulations on the new observations Brett.

[Bigzmey]

Nice collection of targets Brett, well done!

[KingNothing13]

Nice collection of targets Brett, well done!

It was definitely small nebula night - I wish I was able to get dark adapted to see them better - but it just wasn't going to happen. But they are not going anywhere, so I will have opportunities in the future!

[Bigzmey]

Nice collection of targets Brett, well done!

It was definitely small nebula night - I wish I was able to get dark adapted to see them better - but it just wasn't going to happen. But they are not going anywhere, so I will have opportunities in the future!

Using UHC or OIII filters definitely helps with emission nebulae from LPed locations.

[helicon]

Sounds like it was a pretty successful night. It seems like most of us are finding the observing nights that are clear and smoke free kind of a blessing.

[terrynak]

Vey nice session Brett - you saw a a lot, despite not being dark-adapted as you said.

However, the 10" aperture certainly helped!

[BamaDon]

It looks like you were hitting a lot of Planetary Nebulae. While you are working the H400, you might as well log them in the Astro League Planetary Nebula program as well.

The nice thing about PNs is that you don't need really dark skies for many of them. I've been working them from my back yard, and had really good success. There are some which really need dark skies, but you can still make good progress without traveling.

Anyway, nice work!