A Rare Northern Capture

[Unitron48]

A couple of us decided to take on Omega Centauri from our Northern Latitude (38.5 deg). We departed from our normal observing location to a spot with a better Southern horizon. Armed with 20x100 Binos and my Brandon 94 (48mm Brandon EP at 13x and 22mm Panoptic at 29x), we captured it at 9:50 PM. It was about 4 degrees above the horizon and shown as very dim and defuse. By comparison, M4 was smaller, but much brighter. Not a great viewing of this very spectacular Globular, but a rare capture just the same.

Dave

[Lady Fraktor]

Congratulations on spotting it Dave.

[OzEclipse]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your report. It is the mirror image of what I have to do to see some northern gems. M81/82 are almost out of reach unless I were to take a scope to far north of Australia, for example, at Darwin it reaches 8 degrees but that is a 7500km(~5000 mile) round trip. M51 is a little easier reaching 8 degrees from my location. Although it reaches 8 degrees, I have never tried and your post has inspired me to try. I will need to create a level spot at the top of my block in order to get a low enough north horizon to see over the trees with the 18". I should however try to tick it off with one of the smaller scopes just for giggles. The Andromeda Galaxy is a luxury by comparison at 14 degrees.

By comparison, M4 was smaller, but much brighter.

When observed without extinction, NGC 104(47 Tucanae) and Omega Centauri are both easy naked eye and each around 2 magnitudes brighter than M4 at Mv 4.8 and 4.6 respectively.
Although Omega Cen is notionally brighter than 47 Tuc, I find 47 Tuc a slightly brighter and easier naked eye object due to its greater central condensation.

Joe

[Graeme1858]

That's impressive from 38.5 North!

Regards

Graeme

[John Baars]

Quite impressive you managed to observe it.
Even M4 is a rare bird here at 52 degrees North.
Well done!

[Unitron48]

Thanks all! I have had better views of Omega over the years (Palm City, Florida most recent and Woomera, South Australia many, many years ago). While the viewing wasn't the best, just capturing it was exciting!

Dave

[helicon]

Congrats on winning the VROD Dave for being able to spot this showpiece!

I did see Omega Centauri from 20 degrees in Hawaii with a 4" Newtonian. I was eleven at the time. Here at home I am at 37.88 so technically I should be able to see it but between light pollution, trees, and a cluttered horizon I don't think it's possible. Maybe going to a place like Mt. Hamilton (4265 feet) or Mt. Diablo (3849) with a panoramic view would help.

Also, lets see how many folks who read your report also have seen it...?

[Unitron48]

Thanks, Michael. I'll bet there are plenty who have seen this showpiece!!

Dave

[turboscrew]

Nice. I haven't seen Centaurus. It's not visible here at all.

And congrats on the VROD!

[Refractordude]

A couple of us decided to take on Omega Centauri from our Northern Latitude (38.5 deg). We departed from our normal observing location to a spot with a better Southern horizon. Armed with 20x100 Binos and my Brandon 94 (48mm Brandon EP at 13x and 22mm Panoptic at 29x), we captured it at 9:50 PM. It was about 4 degrees above the horizon and shown as very dim and defuse. By comparison, M4 was smaller, but much brighter. Not a great viewing of this very spectacular Globular, but a rare capture just the same.

Dave

Hi Dave:

Was is the name and brand of your 20x100 binoculars? Thanks and nice report.

[Unitron48]

Hi Dave:

Was is the name and brand of your 20x100 binoculars? Thanks and nice report.

The binos belonged to a member of our observing party. I believe they were Celestron Skymasters.

Dave

[Bigzmey]

Nice capture Dave and congrats on VROD!

This is my favorite glob. While it rides relatively low here in SoCal, on occasion I catch spectacular views of it.

[John Baars]

Congratulations on the VROD!

[Makuser]

Hello Dave. This is a nice catch from your hefty Northern Latitude, and that is a nice photo or your Brandon 94 scope. Thanks for your interesting report Dave, and congratulations on winning the TSS VROD Award today.

[Unitron48]

Hello Dave. This is a nice catch from your hefty Northern Latitude, and that is a nice photo or your Brandon 94 scope. Thanks for your interesting report Dave, and congratulations on winning the TSS VROD Award today.

Thanks, Marshall. Seems like every trip I make to Florida ends up in cloudy/rainy weather!

Dave

[John Donne]

Nice report Dave and congratulations on the VROD.

[pakarinen]

Yowza! Quite the catch!

[Ylem]

Congratulations Dave, that is indeed quite a catch!