I got everything adjusted and ready to go, then started around 2100 hours just a few minutes before astronomical darkness. With whatever time the sky would allow me, I turned to chart 123 in Uranometria, my plan was to do some more foraging of
Anyway, let’s get started on my second night of galaxy hunting. For those that know much about me at all, they know that hunting these sometimes small and dim denizens of the deep is the fire that drives my astronomical pursuits. I of course enjoy easy, bright and detailed
It is difficult to explain sometimes, so that others fully understand why I feel that way. But I like to observe not only with my eyes, but also my mind. I enjoy capturing only a few photons from a barely there galaxy and contemplating on the amount of time and distance that feeble light has traveled to reach my eye in that moment. It speaks to me directly and in a visceral manner as to the vastness of the universe. I have seen a galactic disk over one billion light years distant, and some less than a thousand light years away. Some that wow and impress, and others that make the eye strain and ache trying to catch a glimpse of them. They are all stupendous to me in their own way, and that is why I do what I do.
(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)
Starting out on chart 123 in Uranometria, I aimed the scope at mag 2.9 Beta Aquarii (Sadalsuud ) to begin the hunt. First up was this little spiral. Picked up using 152x I found it small but slightly bright to my eye. The oval disk contained a small non-stellar brightness in the core. Using 199x and 283x it was an obvious object within the view. Sitting only a couple of arc minutes east of a 10th mag field star, its oval envelope contained a small brighter inner lens surrounded by a small and diffuse outer halo. (New)
This elliptical was a little more challenging, but not difficult. Picked up with 152x it revealed a small and fairly dim oval that was evenly illuminated across its dimension. It remained weak at both 199x and 283x, but not difficult. An intermittent stellar core was also glimpsed. I also noticed some interference from those little fingers of clouds as the field of view was dim from time to time. This galaxy carries a second identifier in the New General Catalogue, as
This one was a little more challenging still. It was picked up at 152x, but presented a very small and very dim rounded homogeneous glow. Using 199x and 283x it remained fairly dim, but was clearly seen as a slightly more elongated oval that was smooth and even in light distribution. (New)
Small and dim, this homogeneous oval was not overly difficult to discern initially at 152x. Seen at 199x it was a little easier to hold steady in the view, while at 283x an intermittent stellar core was picked up within its generally smooth disk. (New)
This small and fairly dim dust bunny was seen at 152x, weakly. Evenly illuminated, it was weak but not overly difficult to discern. Using 199x it seemed a bit more oval in shape, and though generally homogeneous, at times I felt I could detect some subtle broad brightness in the core. Going to 283x a definite stellar core was seen, and in general the galaxy was not difficult. (New)
I now switched over to chart 103 in Uranometria to continue. Fairly small and dim, this lenticular was picked up using 152x. It remained a dim homogeneous oval at 199x, then at 283x a very fleeting stellar core was glimpsed at its center when seeing steadied. (New)
I now moved across the border from Aquarius into Pegasus in pursuit of a northest-southwest string of four galaxies. On the way to that grouping I stopped by this previous observed galaxy for a quick look. At 152x I found it a somewhat bright and subtly large homogeneous oval.
Moving on, I found the field for this string of four near a very widely separated (36.5’) pair of 8th magnitude field stars. This elliptical was picked up using 152x and I found it to be a small, but slightly bright evenly illuminated oval. Seen with 199x and 283x it was quite obvious in the field, remained small and now revealed an intermittent stellar core. (New)
Spotted in the same field as the previous object at 152x, it presented a very small and fairly dim homogeneous oval glow. Viewing at 199x it was weak, but not particularly difficult, while at 283x, a stellar core was glimpsed occasionally. (New)
Just over 14’ SSW of
In the same field of view and just over another 4’ SSW of the previous object I just managed to glimpse this small diffuse glow at 152x. With 199x it remained fairly weak and small, but not significantly difficult. Finally at 283x I was catching flashes of a stellar core embedded within the dim diffuse envelope. (New)
Moving back into the celestial water bearer, I now swept up this little spiral using 152x. Slightly bright and small diffuse oval, a pair of field stars (10th and 11th mag) pointed the way to its easily seen disk. It was very obvious to the eye at 199x and 283x, and remained evenly illuminated across its envelope. (New)
Another easily picked up at 152x as a small and slightly bright homogeneous oval. At 199x it remained even and smooth, and was obvious in the view. An intermittent stellar core was picked up at 283x. (New)
Another small and slightly bright smooth oval disk at 152x, it was easy and obvious in the field. Using 199x I was picking up a dim 13th mag foreground star involved in the halo near the western tip. This star was more apparent at 283x, and the galaxy was very obvious. (New)
Easily picked up with 152x, this small and slightly bright oval was homogeneous in appearance. It was located between two dim field stars (11th and 12th mag). It remained smooth and diffuse at 199x, but an intermittent stellar core was popping through when I moved to 283x. (New)
This small round dust bunny was found using 152x and presented a dim homogeneous oval between two dim field stars of 11th and 12th magnitude. Viewing with 199x and 283x it remained a bit to the weak side visually, but was not difficult. Its envelope remained smooth and evenly illuminated. (New)
I now moved to chart 102 in Uranometria and diverted into southern Pegasus. Picked up with 152x this small elongated oval displayed a smooth homogeneous appearance. It sits 8’ northeast of a 10th mag field star. In the field of view at both 199x and 283x it was an obvious evenly illuminated elongated oval glow. (New)
Almost 34’ NNW of the previous object I easily located this spiral. Though small and a little dim, it was not difficult Presenting an oval disk, it revealed a very intermittent stellar core at 152x. Viewing with 199x and 283x it remained a little weak but not difficult. The suspected stellar core was still seen but never held steadily. (New)
Dipping into Pisces now on chart 102, I swept up this small and slightly dim homogeneous oval using 152x. Though it remained a little dim still at 199x and 283x it was not difficult, but remained a smooth even oval. (New)
The clouds were starting to increase so I knew my time was limited, but I pressed on. I pinned down this very small lenticular using 152x. It appeared as a very small and dim rounded dust bunny. It displayed a very weak and elusive stellar core. It remained a dim and weak object at 199x and 283x, and its stellar core likewise was poorly evident. I had the general perception of the field stars dimming slightly within the field of view at times – from high thin clouds. I was concerned that the end was nigh. (New)
This object seemed easier at 152x than the previous one, and the general view seemed brighter as if the high thin clouds were not impacting this particular field. It was seen as a small but subtly bright oval with a broadly brighter core area. Viewed with 199x and 283x it was very obvious within the field of view, and contained an inner lens of brightness surrounded by a small diffuse outer halo. (New)
Easily swept up with 152x this barred spiral displayed a small and fairly bright thick oval envelope with a stellar core pinned to its center. Its appearance at 199x was similar and it really stood out well in the view. I didn’t look up as I switched eyepieces as I moved to 283x. But when I put my eye to the lens I had a blank canvass. I then looked up to see that the area where my scope was aimed was now covered with clouds. Looking around the sky told the story. It was just before 0000 hours and the clouds had unceremoniously put an end to the evening earlier than anticipated. (New)
The end came fairly quickly and a little sooner than I expected. So though I didn’t get to run my session to around 0100 hours as intended, it was still supremely successful. Galaxies were found and observed so I was happy. All in all, the two night trip to the second house was very successful and once again I was thankful to have a place of refuge from the proliferation of light pollution that so many have to endure, and what we’ve experienced at home. Thanks again for following along, and I wish you good luck with your future outings and hope to see you all out there again soon.