Cassiopeia Clusters

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Bigzmey United States of America
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Cassiopeia Clusters

#1

Post by Bigzmey »


11/15/20 and 11/16/20

Location: home, Bortle 6.0
Equipment: Celestron 9.25” Edge HD SCT, Celestron 150ST achro and Onyx 80ED on SW SkyTee 2 manual AltAz mount.

Week ago we had a heat wave. I have capitalized on dry warmer nights and had two back-to-back sessions in our backyard. Our new in-land home has just slightly better sky, Bortle 6.0 vs Bortle 6.5 at the former coastal location. However, there are a few improvements otherwise. I have ton of space to deploy the scopes; can setup entire fleet if I want to. :) Number of neighbors per square mile has dropped by a few orders of magnitude. They are far enough and behind the fences, so the impact from porch lights, smoking etc. is minimal. I have way more open sky, particularly south, which also happens to be the darkest portion of sky. Finally, the weather is drier and more predictable.

Here are the scopes waiting for the dark.
Scopes-111620.jpg
11/15/20
I have started with planets

Jupiter in the south was disappointing. Bad seeing affected all scopes from 9.25” to 80mm. Main belts were barely resolved.

Mars in the west was better, not the best views but not too bad. Finally saw Hellas this season. Edge 9.25” with Pentax XF 12mm EP (196x) resolved most of the details, following by Onyx 80mm ED with TV Delite 3mm (167x). View in 150mm F5 achro with Pentax XW 5mm (150x) was the softest. Dark red 25 for 9.25” and red 23A filter for 80ED and 150ST. Red filter also took care of strong CA in 150ST.

The sky is too bright here for the faint galaxies, but I got plenty of open clusters to last a few seasons.

Cassiopeia open clusters

Berkeley 1 – loose group of 6 faint stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Berkeley 2 – only 1 brighter and 2 faint stars resolved. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Berkeley 4 – crescent of 10 stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
King 16 - ~20 stars scattered over the large area. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).

150ST/TV Panoptic 27mm (28x) resolved less stars in Berkley 4 and King 16, but they were better framed in the same FOV.

Berkley 5 – FAIL – just one 13.7 mag star resolved with Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Berkeley 6 – pair of brighter stars with ~10 faint stars scattered around. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Trumpler 1 – trapezium-shaped small tight group of ~10 stars, nicely framed in Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Berkeley 7 – 2 brighter stars with 7 faint stars scattered around. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).

IC 166 – wide square of 5 faint stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Berkeley 8 – 4 very faint stars resolved. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Collinder 463 – large pentagon of stars with chains of stars coming from the corners. Best viewed at lower power. 150ST/Baader Aspheric 36mm (21x).
Berkeley 102 – 7 stars resolved. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Mlb 103 – double star in Berkley 102 - 10.9, 11.3, 5”, white pair. Clean split in Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).

11/16/20
Next night I have started again with Mars. Seeing was better than the night before. Once again Edge 9.25”/XF 12mm (196x) resolved most of fine details with Baader Contrast Booster + Moon & Sky Glow filter combo. However, I had to wait for the image to snap in focus at the moments of better seeing. Mars disk was smaller in Onyx 80ED/Delite 3mm (167x). However, the image was steadier and larger dark features easier to spot. Baader Contrast Booster + Moon & Sky Glow filer combo and Red 23A filter delivered about the same level of resolution. Surprise of the evening was 150ST/XW 5mm (150x). Image quality and level of details were similar to 80ED and Red 23A filter took care of CA.

After that I have continued where I left with

Cassiopeia open clusters

Berkeley 103 – FAIL – just one star resolved with Edge 9.25”.
Berkeley 104 – 4 brighter stars form narrow rectangle with 2 additional faint stars resolved. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Frolov 1 – 5 stars form narrow triangle. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
NGC 7788 – small patch of brighter and fainter stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Berkeley 58 – 8 stars scattered in a large area. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).

150ST/Panoptic 27mm (28x): Berkley 58 – 5 stars resolved, but better framed than in the Edge 9.25”. Frolov 1 and NGC 7788 – less stars resolved, and the view is not as good as in Edge 9.25”.

Harvard 21 – 8 stars loosely scattered. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Berkeley 60 – only 2 stars resolved. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Berkeley 61 – FAIL – no stars resolved with Edge 9.25”.
Berkeley 62 – tadpole shape formed by 10+ stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 20 (118x).
Berkeley 63 – pair of brighter stars with a few faint stars and background glow.

Berkeley 64 – very faint unresolved glow. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Berkeley 65 – 2 brighter and 2 faint stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Berkeley 66 – FAIL – nothing resolved with Edge 9.25”.
Czernik 01 - FAIL – nothing resolved with Edge 9.25”.
Czernik 03 – faint unresolved spot with averted vision. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Czernik 04 – patch of 7 stars. Edge 9.25”/XW 10 (168x).
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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messier 111 Canada
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#2

Post by messier 111 »


thank you for this very detailed report.
I LOVE REFRACTORS , :Astronomer1: :sprefac:

REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .

EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .

FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .

Mounts , berno mack 3 with telepod , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
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Jean-Yves :flags-canada:
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John Baars Netherlands
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#3

Post by John Baars »


A great setup!
Nice to have better skies and a better location, like you said you will have enough to last another few seasons. I think the number of visible( somewhat brighter) galaxies will not be so bad.
Thanks for your nice report!
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.
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#4

Post by Peter802 »


Great report, thank you for sharing your session with us.
Clear Skies.
Regards,

Peter
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Greenman Great Britain
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#5

Post by Greenman »


Smashing report, I loved the comparison and have noted the 23a for Mars, interesting I will try that on my 102 frac.
Cheers,

Tony.

Image

Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.

AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.

Celestron AVX Mount; X-cel LX eyepieces & Barlows 2x 3x, ZWO 2” Filter holder,

Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.

Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.

Binoculars: Celestron 15 x 70.

Latitude: 52.219853
Longitude: -1.034471
Accuracy: 5 m
Bortle 4 site. https://maps.google.com/?q=52.21985,-1.03447

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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#6

Post by helicon »


Great report Andrey. Quite a haul of clusters. I think you'll notice a difference, long-term between Bortle 6 and Bortle 6.5. My skies were around 6 and now because of light encroachment over the past eight years I would have to say it's about 7. If you can see the Milky Way at all then you have decent conditions.
-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
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#7

Post by Bigzmey »


messier 111 wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 3:38 am thank you for this very detailed report.
My pleasure!
John Baars wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 8:08 am A great setup!
Nice to have better skies and a better location, like you said you will have enough to last another few seasons. I think the number of visible( somewhat brighter) galaxies will not be so bad.
Thanks for your nice report!
Thanks John! At the coast I was dealing with high humidity during colder part of the year. Here the air is crisp and dry for the most part. I will put my big guns to a good use. :)

Peter802 wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:10 am Great report, thank you for sharing your session with us.
Thanks Peter!
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#8

Post by Bigzmey »


Greenman wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 1:36 pm Smashing report, I loved the comparison and have noted the 23a for Mars, interesting I will try that on my 102 frac.
Thanks Tony! Last opposition I spent good amount of time testing various filters in a few scopes on Mars. Red 23A came as clear winner for smaller apertures. It has to be a good quality filter to make a difference. Baader, Lumicon or older made in Japan Celestron, Meade, Orion, etc. stock.

helicon wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 2:51 pm Great report Andrey. Quite a haul of clusters. I think you'll notice a difference, long-term between Bortle 6 and Bortle 6.5. My skies were around 6 and now because of light encroachment over the past eight years I would have to say it's about 7. If you can see the Milky Way at all then you have decent conditions.
Thanks Michael! I used to be able to see the Milky Way at the coast, but over the years LP had worthen well past that. It was a good feeling to see albeit weak trace of the Milky Way above the head here.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Falcon 63 Australia
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#9

Post by Falcon 63 »


Excellent night Andrey!
Telescopes Saxon 10" x 1200 Dobsonian, Bresser 114 x 500 Dobsonian, Saxon 70 x 400 Refractor.
Eyepieces ES 82* 2" 18mm, 1.25" 11mm, GSO 2" 30mm superview, Seben mzt 8-24, Sky Watcher 58* 4mm and various Plossls.
Bino's Saxon 10 x 50, Carton 12 x 50, 10 x 25 ucf.
Other Skywatcher Solar System Imager
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Cassiopeia Clusters

#10

Post by Bigzmey »


Falcon 63 wrote: Mon Dec 07, 2020 3:39 pm Excellent night Andrey!
Thanks Falcon!
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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