Andromeda Galaxies

[Bigzmey]

10/16/20

Location: Anza desert site, Bortle 3.5
Equipment: Celestron 9.25” Edge HD SCT and Stellarvue 102ED on SW SkyTee 2 manual AltAz mount.

I have arrived to Anza at sunset on this fine Friday evening. I often hear folks in Southern California complaining about lack of four seasons. I think most of them never leave costal cities. One hour drive to the desert or mountains and you can enjoy the seasons. Mountains will be closer to your typical expectations, but deserts have them to. To me this scene has the autumn feel to it.

Jupiter and Saturn
I have started the session soon after sunset with Jupiter and Saturn. Seeing was poor and I had to step down power even for 102mm frac. Views were smallish but pleasant. GRS was in transit on Jupiter. Edge 9.25”/Pentax XW20 (118x), SV102ED/TV Delite 5mm (143x). As you see, early in the session larger SCT was more affected by bad seeing than small refractor.

At the onset of darkness ~19:30 Milky Way became well structured above the head. It is not often I can see it stretching all the way to Cassiopeia – a welcome sight! Time to hunt some galaxies.

Andromeda (all targets are galaxies observed with the Edge 9.25”, unless stated otherwise).

NGC 13 – narrow faint edge-on with AV, brighter central area. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 29 (aka NGC 21) – very faint oval with AV. Pentax XW14 (168x).
NGC 39 – very faint small disk with AV. Pentax XW10 (235x)
NGC 68 – faint oval with AV. Pentax XW14 (168x).
NGC 108 – lens with brighter core. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 160 and NGC 169 – two faint narrow ovals in the same FOV. Pentax XW14 (168x).
NGC 233 – faint oval with brighter central area. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 252 – faint oval with brighter core. Pentax XW20 (118x).

NGC 272 – OC – 4 stars in semicircle. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 280 – faint small oval above star. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 393 – small relatively bright oval with compact core. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 477 – faint narrow spec with AV. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 523 (aka NGC 537) – narrow lens with AV. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 551 – extremely faint narrow spot with AV, shaking EP for detection. Pentax XW20 (118x) and XW14 (168x).
NGC 679 – small faint oval with brighter core. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 687 – faint oval with AV. Pentax XW20 (118x).

NGC 703, NGC 704, NGC 705 and NGC 708 – tight group of galaxies, all are AV faint ovals. NGC 708 is the largest of the group. Pentax XW10 (235x).
NGC 709 – small AV spec. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 797 – faint oval. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 801 – narrow lens with AV, same FOV with NGC 797. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 818 – faint elongated oval with brighter central area. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 828 – faint oval with AV. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 834 – faint small oval. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 841 – elongated oval with brighter core. Pentax XW20 (118x).

NGC 898 – narrow oval with AV. Pentax XW14 (168x).
NGC 910 – small AV oval. Pentax XW14 (168x).
NGC 956 – OC – U shape formed by brighter and fainter stars. Pentax XW14 (168x).
NGC 980 and NGC 982 – two faint specs with AV in the same FOV. Pentax XW20 (118x).
NGC 7707 – AV oval next to star. Pentax XW20 (118x).

Mars
Mars was the last target for the evening. Seeing has improved and the views were sharp in both scopes. Edge 9.25” with Pentax XF 8.5mm (276x) and Baader Contrast Booster filter had an advantage over SV102ED this night.

[kt4hx]

Andrey, a fine outing in Andromeda. It is really rich in galaxies, which unfortunately can be overlooked because of the M31/32/110 triumvirate. Not to negate their beauty and the value of observing them, but the constellation is certainly far more than just a three-trick pony!

I haven't been out since my report of the 13th. Hopefully some time soon though.

[Bigzmey]

Andrey, a fine outing in Andromeda. It is really rich in galaxies, which unfortunately can be overlooked because of the M31/32/110 triumvirate. Not to negate their beauty and the value of observing them, but the constellation is certainly far more than just a three-trick pony!

I haven't been out since my report of the 13th. Hopefully some time soon though.

Thanks Alan! Yes, it is rich in galaxies and has a few nice open clusters to.

[DEnc]

As usual I'm a fan of your secondary observations about flora and fauna--not to detract from your astronomical observations!

[Bigzmey]

As usual I'm a fan of your secondary observations about flora and fauna--not to detract from your astronomical observations!

Thanks DEnc! As you can tell, I enjoy both day seeing and night seeing. The drive to Anza is very scenic to.

[John Baars]

Another great haul of galaxies in the Anza desert.

[Bigzmey]

Another great haul of galaxies in the Anza desert.

Thanks John!

[Peter802]

Hi Andrey.
Another great session in the desert.
Thank you for sharing it with us.

[helicon]

Nice haul Andrey. In addition to all of the galactic goodies, I enjoy the large open cluster NGC 752 with an estimated population of 400 stars. It forms a nice view in both 15x70 and 25x100 binoculars.

[Bigzmey]

Hi Andrey.
Another great session in the desert.
Thank you for sharing it with us.

Nice haul Andrey. In addition to all of the galactic goodies, I enjoy the large open cluster NGC 752 with an estimated population of 400 stars. It forms a nice view in both 15x70 and 25x100 binoculars.

Thanks Peter and Michael! Agree, NGC 752 is a nice looking cluster.

[Makuser]

Hi Andrey. Another superb visit report from Anza and the Andromeda Galaxies. Wow, what a great cache of NGC objects. And, I agree with DEnc, as you get the best of both worlds there. Great terrestrial sights during the day and dark sky viewing at night. Thanks for your latest fun read report Andrey, and the best of wishes on your next trip to Anza.

[Juno16]

Great report Bigz!

Lots of wonderful targets from a beautiful piece of earth.

Very good to read your report of a very successful evening!

[Bigzmey]

Thanks Marshall and Jim! Looks like winter storm season has arrived to SoCal, so it could be awhile before I go back to Anza.

[terrynak]

Another fine galaxy session Andrey! Checking my database, I've only logged 8 galaxies in Andromeda so far.

Might finally get a shot at some dark sky observing next month, my first this year - we'll see. Little rain on my side of So Cal so far - only two brief showery outbursts since the beginning of this year...

[Bigzmey]

Another fine galaxy session Andrey! Checking my database, I've only logged 8 galaxies in Andromeda so far.

Might finally get a shot at some dark sky observing next month, my first this year - we'll see. Little rain on my side of So Cal so far - only two brief showery outbursts since the beginning of this year...

Thanks Terry! We had a major storm last weekend. At least 2 inches of rain and snow in the local mountains. I may get out next weekend if weather cooperates.

[j.gardavsky]

Hello Andrey,

this is an absolutely comprehensive observing session on "all galaxies you can see reprted" in Andromeda.
Just incredible!

Thank you very much for sharing,
JG

[Bigzmey]

Hello Andrey,

this is an absolutely comprehensive observing session on "all galaxies you can see reprted" in Andromeda.
Just incredible!

Thank you very much for sharing,
JG

Thanks JG! The winter is upon us, so it will be a few months before I go back to galaxies. However, I have a quite few open clusters on my list and they can be observed from my backyard.