Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

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Bigzmey United States of America
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Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#1

Post by Bigzmey »


11/5/2022

Location: home, Bortle 7.0
Equipment: SW 180mm Mak and Stellarvue 102ED on iOptron AZMP. EPs: TV Delites set, TV Plossl 32mm, ES62 26mm, ES68 24mm.

Except the light pollution (man-made and from near-full Moon) conditions were good this evening. Clear skies and crisp dry air. Seeing was better than average and as a result I got the best views of the season for Jupiter and Saturn.

19:15. Jupiter
Since AZMP has used Jupiter for alignment, I have started with Jupiter. I was able to push the power productively to 208x in 7” Mak/Delite 13mm and 143x in SV102/Delite 5mm. Two scopes have delivered monochromic but sharp views with similar level of details. South Equatorial Belt was resolved in two portions and South Temperate Belt was well defined. GRS was transiting, grayish in color but clearly seen. North Equatorial Belt was not resolved in two sub-belts but fine structure was evident.

19:45. Saturn
The best view of Saturn in 7” Mak was achieved again with Delite 13mm (208x). I was able to push SV102 to a bit higher power with Delite 3mm (238x). Both scopes provided similar level of details, but the view in SV102 appeared sharper. Cassini division was well defined. Shadows of the rings on the globe and the globe on the rings were dark and sharp. North Equatorial Belt and North North Temperate Belt were thin dark sharp lines across the globe and North Polar Region was evident as shaded area.

I really wanted to see Mars, but this season it rises behind a huge tree in my backyard. I need to look for another location to observe it. So, I went to the main course of the evening – splitting doubles. Nearly full Moon was climbing in the east. I looked for the unobstructed portion of the sky away from its glow. That happened to be Cassiopeia.

20:00. Cassiopeia Doubles.

WZ Cas – 7.4, 8.3, 9.6, 10.4, ab57.7”, ac155”, ad181.4” – real gem! Rich copper-colored A and bright greenish B are a well-known stunning pair. This evening I came back to log C and D components, two yellow stars wide apart from the main double. Together they make beautiful quadruple for any scope size. SV102 (39x), 7” Mak (84x).

STF 3053 – 6.0, 7.2, 11, ab15.3”, ac98.7” – another showcase system, richly golden A and bright blue B. I have logged this pair a few years ago, but came back to pick silvery spec of C. SV102 (39x), 7” Mak (84x).

HJ 1913 – 8.0, 10.7, 22.8” – dark silverly dot of secondary was immediately evident next to copper-colored main in 7” Mak at lowest power (TV Plossl 32mm, 84x), but not in SV102 at 39x. Nice contrast.

ES 611 – 8.4, 10.1, 9.9” – golden main and faint brown secondary, nice contrast. 7” Mak(84x).
ES 2576 – 8.6, 8.7, 76.8” – wide pair of equal orange stars, SV102 (39x), 7” Mak (84x).
ARY 8 – 8.1, 8.6, 8.3, ab39.3”, 104.7” – neat narrow triangle of identical white stars, SV102 (39x).
STF 7 – 8.0, 8.5, 1.3”, uneven yellow pair, split with some space, 7” Mak (300x).
STT 1 – 7.5, 9.5, 1.6”, white, light blue, 7” Mak (300x, 386x).

STF 9 – 9.3, 9.3, 20.1”, white pair, SV102 (39x).
STF 10 – 8.0, 8.6, 11.1, ab17.5”, ac55.4”, AB – pair of white stars with fainter silvery C some distance away, SV102 (39x).
ES 2578 – 8.0, 10.1, 16.3”, golden, bluish, SV102 (39x), 7” Mak (84x).
V377 Cas – 8.2, 9.4, 2.3”, yellow, blue, clean split with 7” Mak (245x).
HDS 44 – 8.9, 10.3, 12.3”, white, silver, 7” Mak (84x).

STT 7 – 9.2, 9.8, 8.6, 7.8, ab0.9”, ac48.5”, ad109.1”, all white. A, C and D - wide apart in 7” Mak (84x). AB – tight clean split 7” Mak (386x).
ES 42 - 8.4, 9.4, 7.1”, yellow, silver, 7” Mak (84x).

FOX 106 – 6.6, 10.9, 11.9, ab82.5”, bc9.9” – bright white main and a pair of faint grayish stars some distance away, 7” Mak (180x). This was my 2,000th double! :banana-dance:

STF 30 – 7.0, 8.9, 11.7, ab12.8”, ad149.1”, white, bluish, silver, 7” Mak (84x).
BU 394 AB – 8.5, 8.8, 0.8”, white pair, snowman split, 7” Mak (300x).

ES 2 – 9.0, 9.5, 5.9”, uneven white pair, 7” Mak (180x).
HJ 1033 – 10, 10, 6.9”, white pair, 7” Mak (180x).
HU 511 – 9.0, 10.3, 4.5”, white, blue, 7” Mak (180x).
BU 108 – 7.8, 10.6, 12.1, ab4.5”, af35.9”, white, silver, gray, 7” Mak (180x).

By 23:00 I had my good share of doubles. Checked Mars again. Nope, still behind that tree. Next time I will bring out extra-light grab-and-go setup and look for location around the property to see it.
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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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Congratulations on the milestone and good luck with viewing Mars :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

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Post by John Baars »


Congratulations on the 2000th double and your nice report!
If I read it well the SV102 delivered on planets similar views to the 7"Mak, which in his turn was used for the doubles. Well done by both!
More or less the same testing-results I achieved in a comparison between a Vixen 102mm ED and a 140mm Mak.
Thanks for you very readable report!
I hereby nominate it for a VROD!
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, planets and my 2,000th double

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Post by Juno16 »


I really enjoyed your report Bigz!

Just amazing that you have observed 2k doubles!!!!!

I don't know the number, but I probably only have observed several hundred doubles. How to you catalog your observations (keep track) and how do you sort them? How do you know what is new when you have observed so many?

I know, very basic stuff probably, but I am behind the times!

I robbed many of your observations for my own observing list in Skysafari. Not sure I will be able to observe them with my backyard obstructions, but I am going to give it a shot next time out!

I enjoyed your fine report sir!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#5

Post by helicon »


Great report Andrey and it sounds like you had some nice views of the gas giants. It's weird how the GRS is less prominent than it used to be. As nominated, you are the winner of today's VROD!
-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
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#6

Post by kt4hx »


Very well done Andrey. I dub thee the king of seeing double at TSS! :) One of these days perhaps I will make myself get into doubling, but so far my interest is more of a passive interest. Excellent on reaching the 2K level, a notable benchmark my friend. Congrats on the very well deserved VROD for today Andrey!
Alan

Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
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"Astronomers, we look into the past to see our future." (me)
"Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt." (William Herschel)
"What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

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Post by kt4hx »


Juno16 wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:22 pm I really enjoyed your report Bigz!

Just amazing that you have observed 2k doubles!!!!!

I don't know the number, but I probably only have observed several hundred doubles. How to you catalog your observations (keep track) and how do you sort them? How do you know what is new when you have observed so many?

I know, very basic stuff probably, but I am behind the times!

I robbed many of your observations for my own observing list in Skysafari. Not sure I will be able to observe them with my backyard obstructions, but I am going to give it a shot next time out!

I enjoyed your fine report sir!

Not to answer for Andrey, but I will offer how I keep track of my observations Jim. I utilize an Excel spreadsheet. The main sorting is done by constellation in alphabetical order, then within each constellation the objects observed are sorted in alphabetical order by their primary catalogue identifier. There are various ways to keep track of what we observe of course. One can also log within some of the software programs, such as Sky Safari, and my chosen one Sky Tools 4 (I utilize Windows based apps). I do not do this personally but its certainly another tool at one's disposal. I also of course have my observing notes which I post as reports here and keep in my archives.

At this point, I am approaching 5,000 DSOs observed in 87 constellations, with my galaxy total approaching 3,500 of those. Though I've observed since the 1960s, I did not start keeping a formal log until about 10-11 years ago. Going so long without documenting my exploration was a tremendous mistake and I encourage all to keep a log of their observing activities, even if its a simple list. Its the best way to know where you've been and get a sense of how you are improving as an observer. Good luck buddy! :)
Alan

Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Astronomers, we look into the past to see our future." (me)
"Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt." (William Herschel)
"What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
"No good deed goes unpunished." (various)
Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?” (Scarecrow, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#8

Post by Juno16 »


@kt4hx

Thanks for the info and methodology Alan!

Your numbers are staggering!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

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Post by Butterfly Maiden »


A great report Andrey and an impressive milestone reached :Clap:

Congratulations on receiving the TSS VROD award for your effort.
Vanessa

Nikon D82 Fieldscope with 30x/45x/56x angled eyepiece.
Olympus DPS-1 10x50 binoculars.
Leica 8x32BN binoculars.
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

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Post by John Baars »


Congratulations on the VROD!
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, planets and my 2,000th double

#11

Post by Unitron48 »


Very nice collection of doubles, Andrey! Congrats on your VROD recognition and your impressive milestone :sprefac:

Dave
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"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#12

Post by Bigzmey »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:20 am Congratulations on the milestone and good luck with viewing Mars :)
Thanks Gabby! I am working on that. :)
John Baars wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 9:40 am Congratulations on the 2000th double and your nice report!
If I read it well the SV102 delivered on planets similar views to the 7"Mak, which in his turn was used for the doubles. Well done by both!
More or less the same testing-results I achieved in a comparison between a Vixen 102mm ED and a 140mm Mak.
Thanks for you very readable report!
I hereby nominate it for a VROD!
Thanks Johns! Yes, SV102 and 7" Mak produced similar (as the same level of details) views, seeing been the limiting factor. I have used both scopes for doubles, but in this case 7" Mak had clear advantage over SV102 in resolving tight doubles and faint components.
Juno16 wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 12:22 pm I really enjoyed your report Bigz!

Just amazing that you have observed 2k doubles!!!!!

I don't know the number, but I probably only have observed several hundred doubles. How to you catalog your observations (keep track) and how do you sort them? How do you know what is new when you have observed so many?

I know, very basic stuff probably, but I am behind the times!

I robbed many of your observations for my own observing list in Skysafari. Not sure I will be able to observe them with my backyard obstructions, but I am going to give it a shot next time out!

I enjoyed your fine report sir!
Thanks Jim! My approach for doubles and DSOs is similar to Alan's. I will provide some double-specific details. I have started keeping Excel log of observed targets early in my observing carrier. At that time my source for new doubles where books and printed atlases. I would have a printed copy of my log and cross-reference it with targets I am observing.

Eventually, I run out of doubles from books and atlases and decided to take a more systematic approach. Using Stelle Doppie interface

https://www.stelledoppie.it/index2.php? ... by=cst_ASC

I have created a subset of WDS double catalog suitable for observing with scopes I had on hands at that time. I have exported it into Excel and merged with my log. From that point on I am using this master list which contains all observed targets and those I have not observed yet. It is sorted by constellation and RA within each constellation.

Added benefit of using WDS is that SkySafari contains a full copy of it. So, I can find any double on my list even the most obscure.

I have similar master lists for DSOs. Both lists are work in progress. Recently I have expended my double list to contain fainter doubles and DSO list to contain fainter galaxies.
helicon wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:33 pm Great report Andrey and it sounds like you had some nice views of the gas giants. It's weird how the GRS is less prominent than it used to be. As nominated, you are the winner of today's VROD!
Thanks Michael, much appreciated! 2022 Jupiter season is weird in a sense that the belts and GRS completely lack color, while in previous years they were different shades of brown, orange and red.
kt4hx wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:47 pm Very well done Andrey. I dub thee the king of seeing double at TSS! :) One of these days perhaps I will make myself get into doubling, but so far my interest is more of a passive interest. Excellent on reaching the 2K level, a notable benchmark my friend. Congrats on the very well deserved VROD for today Andrey!
Thanks Alan! John Fitzgerald is ahead on doubles at >2,600, but I have noticed that he is mostly reporting on CN lately. However as you know we are not doing this for numbers, but since we are keeping the observing logs, the stats are easily extractable. :D
Butterfly Maiden wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:03 pm A great report Andrey and an impressive milestone reached :Clap:

Congratulations on receiving the TSS VROD award for your effort.
Thanks Vanessa!
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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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#13

Post by Bigzmey »


John Baars wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:06 pm Congratulations on the VROD!
Unitron48 wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:14 pm Very nice collection of doubles, Andrey! Congrats on your VROD recognition and your impressive milestone :sprefac:

Dave
Thanks John and Dave!
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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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#14

Post by Makuser »


Hi Andrey. Another great observing report and this time from your Bortle 7 skies at home. Some very nice observations of Jupiter and Saturn and reaching the 2K double stars split achievement. Thanks for your well written and descriptive report Andrey and congratulations on receiving yet another well deserved TSS VROD Award today.
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
Kamakura 7x35 Binoculars and Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars. ZWO ASI 120MC camera.
>)))))*>
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#15

Post by kt4hx »


Bigzmey wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:29 pm
kt4hx wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:47 pm Very well done Andrey. I dub thee the king of seeing double at TSS! :) One of these days perhaps I will make myself get into doubling, but so far my interest is more of a passive interest. Excellent on reaching the 2K level, a notable benchmark my friend. Congrats on the very well deserved VROD for today Andrey!
Thanks Alan! John Fitzgerald is ahead on doubles at >2,600, but I have noticed that he is mostly reporting on CN lately. However as you know we are not doing this for numbers, but since we are keeping the observing logs, the stats are easily extractable. :D

You are indeed correct Andrey. Ultimately the numbers are just that - numbers. They do give us a sense of progression as an observer, and are part of setting goals for ourselves. That process can provide us with a feeling of success, but also of humility. When they are not attained, we can turn that humility into motivation to keep pushing ourselves to become better observers.
Alan

Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
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"Astronomers, we look into the past to see our future." (me)
"Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt." (William Herschel)
"What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
"No good deed goes unpunished." (various)
Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?” (Scarecrow, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#16

Post by Bigzmey »


Makuser wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 7:31 pm Hi Andrey. Another great observing report and this time from your Bortle 7 skies at home. Some very nice observations of Jupiter and Saturn and reaching the 2K double stars split achievement. Thanks for your well written and descriptive report Andrey and congratulations on receiving yet another well deserved TSS VROD Award today.
Thanks Marshall!
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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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#17

Post by Razz »


Excellent report! I'm going to have to learn to keep logs better than just this is what I used and this is what I saw and the time. Anyway, I can't even imagine the time you spent observing 2000+ doubles. I've seen 2... :lol: ... and congrats on the well deserved VROD!
Telescopes: SvBony SV503 80mm, Apertura AD10, Daystar SS60DS,Bresser AR-127s, 6" GSO Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph
Mounts: Skywatcher AZ-GTe, EQ6-R Pro
EPs: Baader Q turret with 32mm Classic Plossl and 18mm, 10mm, 6mm Classic Orthos and Q Turret barlow 2.25x
Baader Hyperion Mark IV 8-24mm zoom, Hyperion zoom barlow 2.25x
Filters: Celestron Variable Polarizing, SvBony F9131A UHC, Baader O III 10nm, Classic Lumicon O III, homemade solar filter with Baader OD 5.0 film, Optolong UV/IR cut
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i, ASI 224 mc
Guiding: iOptron iGuider 30mm scope/camera
Binoculars: Celestron Upclose G2 10x50

Bill
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#18

Post by Bigzmey »


Razz wrote: Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:57 pm Excellent report! I'm going to have to learn to keep logs better than just this is what I used and this is what I saw and the time. Anyway, I can't even imagine the time you spent observing 2000+ doubles. I've seen 2... :lol: ... and congrats on the well deserved VROD!
Thanks Bill! It has been 6 years since I have started keeping logs, so that the time it took. :)
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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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#19

Post by terrynak »


Andrey, congrats on your crossing the 2000 mark on double stars! It took me exactly 7 yrs. to observe, log and sketch 2000 DSO's with scopes of 4.5" (114mm) or less.

WZ Cass looks particularly interesting, but I'll have to try it with my larger 'fracs (90 or 102mm) because of my Bortle 9 skies - a 60mm 'frac won't cut it.

Really fine descriptions of the surface details and shadows seen on Jupiter and Saturn. I'll need to look for these when I get my 6" F/8 out again.

I've not seen Mars yet either - looking forward to doing so the next chance I get.
Scopes: Reflectors, refractors, and 1 catadioptric. Ranging in aperture from 50mm to 150mm.
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Re: Cassiopeia, planets and my 2,000th double

#20

Post by Bigzmey »


terrynak wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2022 3:44 am Andrey, congrats on your crossing the 2000 mark on double stars! It took me exactly 7 yrs. to observe, log and sketch 2000 DSO's with scopes of 4.5" (114mm) or less.

WZ Cass looks particularly interesting, but I'll have to try it with my larger 'fracs (90 or 102mm) because of my Bortle 9 skies - a 60mm 'frac won't cut it.

Really fine descriptions of the surface details and shadows seen on Jupiter and Saturn. I'll need to look for these when I get my 6" F/8 out again.

I've not seen Mars yet either - looking forward to doing so the next chance I get.
Thanks Terry! I did another observing session on Friday (report is to follow). This time I had my 80ED on photo tripod. After waiting and trying a few spots around the backyard I did managed my first view of Mars.
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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