(Equipment used)
17.5 inch
Ethos 13mm (152x, 0.7° TFOV, 2.9mm exit pupil)
XW 10mm (199x, 0.4° TFOV, 2.2mm exit pupil)
XW 7mm (283x, 0.2° TFOV, 1.6mm exit pupil)
(Treasure found)
Starting on IDSA chart 61, I picked up my first target with 110x. It was nothing more than a very small and dim pip of non-stellar light. At both 152x and 199x it was easier but still a weak homogeneous little oval. Checking with 283x it was easier still but remained a weak diffuse little oval. It also has some much dimmer smaller companions, the collective known as Arp 327. However, none of these additional galaxies were seen. (New)
Noting a pair of galaxies just over the border in Taurus, I slipped west to their field and found the close double glow forming the apex of an eastward pointed triangle with two field stars (10th and 12th mag) to their northwest and southwest. The pair were picked up initially at 110x as an extended single glow that was homogeneous and dim. Then at 152x I had two distinct small round disks just in contact, both of which sported stellar cores. Using 199x they were easier and slightly separated, but still remained weak overall within the field. (New-2)
UGC 3192 (Orion, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.2, size=1.0’x0.8’, SBr=12.8):
Back in Orion, I located this very small and dim rounded pip using 110x. Bumping up to 152x, a stellar core came into view. Then at 199x it was easier and stronger in the field, displaying a strong stellar core within its diffuse disk. (New)
MCG +0-13-35 (Orion, spiral galaxy, mag=13.7, size=0.5’x0.3’, SBr=11.5):
Continuing my foraging I next swept up this dim and small homogeneous oval glow using 110x. Stepping through 152x and 199x its contrast in the field increased but it still remained a bit weak and homogeneous to the eye. (New)
UGC 3258 (Orion, barred spiral galaxy, mag=13.1, size=0.7’x0.6’, SBr=12.0):
Picked up with 110x as a small and faint rounded homogenous glow next to a dim field star. Though more apparent at both 152x and 199x, it remained a weak entity within the field, still small and diffuse. (New)
CGCG 395-16 (Orion, spiral galaxy, mag=13.7, size=0.5’x0.4’, SBr=11.8):
Just barely discerned at 110x as a very difficult tiny rounded mote just south of a 14th mag field star. Using 152x and 199x it was more apparent though remained fairly dim. Overall it was a weak round homogenous dust bunny. Also catalogued as PGC 16922. (New)
Just discerned as a very small and weak non-stellar pip of light at 110x. At 152x and particularly at 199x two joined knots, both with intermittent stellar cores were seen next to a dim field star. Overall a very weak duo, particularly under the prevailing conditions of the evening. (New-2)
This spiral was only suspected at 110x as a tiny non-stellar pip next to a 13th mag field star. Using 152x and 199x it was confirmed and gained in visual presence, though still weak. It presented a small rounded glow with a stellar core that popped noticeably with averted vision. (New)
MCG +0-14-20 (Orion, spiral galaxy, mag=13.7, size=1.0’x0.4’, SBr=12.4):
Located 6.5’ northeast of the mag 6.4 star HD 34878, it was a small and pretty weak oval at 110x. Viewed at both 152x and 199x it remained a challenging homogenous glow involved at the eastern end of a curve of three dim field stars, which complicated the view, (New)
Picked up at 110x, it presented a small but slightly bright thick oval. Its appearance was homogenous, and laying next to a dim 14th mag field star. Viewed with 152x and 199x it remained diffuse and was quite obvious within the general field. I also noted the 13th mag star GSC 04754-1353 about 1.5’ to the northeast that was erroneously catalogued as
Swept up at 110x, it presented a small and slightly bright homogenous oval. It lay inside of a triangle of two 10th and one 9th magnitude stars, It was strongly present in the field at 152x and particularly so at 199x. It also displayed an intermittent stellar core when viewed with averted vision. (New)
Small and just slightly bright to the eye at 110x. Oval in shape it was homogenous to the eye. At 152x a stellar core now come through, pinned to the center of the obvious oval disk. Using 199x it stood out nicely in the field. (New)
MCG -1-13-30 (Orion, spiral galaxy, mag=13.0, size=0.8’x0.8’, SBr=12.4):
Found at the southern end of a line of two dim field stars, it presented a small and slightly dim round diffuse glow. At 152x it was obvious within the field and exhibited a broader brightness within the center of its envelope. Quite obvious at 199x, its broadly brighter center dominated the disk. (New)
Moving northwest from Rigel, I aimed the scope at Mu Eridani (mag 4.0) then turned north. Four years ago I observed this galaxy, but did not pursue another galaxy only about 18’ farther north. Stopping for a momentary glance,
Moving north from the previous galaxy I encountered this much dimmer and smaller glow using 110x. Even at 152x it remained a very dim and small round homogenous dust bunny. Viewed at 199x it was easier but still a dim presence in the
Moving east from the last object, passing over a 9th magnitude field star, I crossed back into Orion. I swept up this spiral using 110x, appearing as a small and dim oval that was evenly illuminated. Moving to 152x I picked up an intermittent stellar core popping in and out in the center of the disk. Viewed with 199x it was more apparent but still remained small and dim to the eye. (New)
I now headed down into Lepus to forage just a little while conditions allowed. Over 2.5° southwest of mag 2.1 Saiph (Kappa Orionis) I located the field for this lenticular. However, I could not spot it at 110x, though 152x did the trick – barely. It appeared as a dim and small round homogenous ghost. Even at 199x it was difficult and dim. Conditions were continuing their decline. (New)
A bit further to the west, still in northern Lepus, I located the field for this interacting pair, also catalogued as Arp 123. Viewed with 110x and 152x there was a single combined elongated oval glow. Using 199x at times I could just detect a tiny rounded bump along the eastern side of the elongated disk. This became a bit more apparent most of the time when I went to 283x. The primary galaxy,
Continuing west toward the Eridanus border, I located this somewhat bright oval with 110x. Just slightly large in dimension, it exhibited a broadly brighter core region. It lay next to a curving line of three stars (11th and 12th mag). Also viewed with 152x and 199x it was a strong obvious presence in the field, just below the star at the western end of the curve. The core was a bright diffuse elongation in the major axis indicative of its central bar. (New)
I next moved just over the border into Eridanus to revisit a grouping of four galaxies that I observed over four years ago with the 12 inch from our suburban backyard. While observed the brightest three of the group, the fourth member eluded me at the time, so I wanted to claim that which was missed.
In the declining transparency, they were all weak at 199x to 283x. I could just discern four small and dim homogenous glows. The brightest,
This galaxy is one of my all time favorites so with conditions heading down the tubes, and Ursa Major rising in the NNE, I decided to give it a quick look. Easily swept up at 110x it presented a large and bright elongated oval. Though not nearly as spectacular visually as it typically is under normal or better transparency, it still showed some slight mottling and a small bright core. The sharp cut-off along its eastern edge indicative of a dark lane was also noted though not as well defined as typical. (Already)
About 1° WSW of 18 Ursae Majoris (mag 4.9), I picked up my last object for the night as conditions were slipping quickly. Found with 110x, it presented a small but slightly bright homogenous oval. Its appearance changed little at 152x and 199x other than becoming more prominent within the field of view. (New)
It was time to surrender to the worsening conditions. Simply put, the sky was turning to mush. Granted, I could still see far more stars than I can at home even on the best of nights there. But transparency was taking a major hit, which spells bad news for galaxy hunting. I was cold and tired and my good senses told me to move my gear back to the garage and head indoors before frustration set in! Thanks for following along and hope you get out there soon.