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Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
I was pretty tired last night after dealing with a medical issue (my daughter was passing a kidney stone)...which included an all nighter in the ER and several sleepless nights...but was determined to take advantage of the last clear, but cold and damp, night of the year for a short session.
I set up the Stellarvue SVX127D on the Losmandy G-11 in the backyard, and decided to make an open cluster (OC) night of it. EPs included Televue 22mm Panoptic, 10mm Radian, and 5.5 mm Nagler. Before starting the OC journey, I checked out first Jupiter, and then Saturn. Jupiter was presenting a very clear Europa shadow transit, always an extra treat. Saturn, well Saturn is always Saturn...just incredible. I also took a quick peek at the two Globulars, M2 (Aquarius) and M15 (Pegasus) before they faded into the horizon.
My open cluster journey started with the Pleiades (M45) in Taurus. The best view was through the viewfinder, a 10x60mm Stellarvue. I then moved over to Auriga to check out the three OC's, M36, M37, and M38. Next up was the Double Cluster (Caldwell 14) in Perseus, and finally onto Cassiopeia to view M52 and M103.
Along the journey I also took in a few double stars including: Albireo (Cygnus), 15 Triangulum (a very wide orange and blue double), and Gamma and Lambda Aries.
Not an exciting session, but it gave me my "fix" until the next time! Looking forward to seeing everyone next year!
With that, I'd like to say "thank you" to all of you who have submitted reports this year, almost 300 individual awards were handed out. I can't say how much I enjoy writing the daily VROD blurb and recognizing our diverse membership. Onward and upward in 2024!
-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
Nice session and scope Dave. I laughed when I read your best view of the Pleiades was through your viewfinder; I've often though the same looking through my 8X50! The views through your SV127 must be fantastic though.
Congratulations on the VROD, and I hope your daughter is feeling better; she has my sympaties! I had kidney stones once about 20 years ago; how I didn't pass out from the pain is still a mystery to me
All the best to you and yours,
Mark
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D. Member of the RASC
With that, I'd like to say "thank you" to all of you who have submitted reports this year, almost 300 individual awards were handed out. I can't say how much I enjoy writing the daily VROD blurb and recognizing our diverse membership. Onward and upward in 2024!
Thanks, Michael...for all your effort in supporting this program. It really helps in spreading the word on the diversity in observing sessions.
Thefatkitty wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 3:48 pm
Nice session and scope Dave. I laughed when I read your best view of the Pleiades was through your viewfinder; I've often though the same looking through my 8X50! The views through your SV127 must be fantastic though.
Congratulations on the VROD, and I hope your daughter is feeling better; she has my sympaties! I had kidney stones once about 20 years ago; how I didn't pass out from the pain is still a mystery to me
All the best to you and yours,
Thanks, Mark! When I moved along my 5 inch Unitron, I wanted something of that aperture to replace it. I had a Stellarvue SV110ED and was really impressed with their optics and mechanical quality. I've been very happy with the SVX127D.
Here's wishing her a speedy recovery and also a Happy New Year!
-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
Outstanding Dave, as always. Certainly a nice VROD report to cap the end of 2023.
Agree with you about the Pleiades and the finder view versus the main view. Though, they do look fine through an 80mm.
Glad your daughter is doing better now. While I didn't have stones, I can sympathize about kidney issues! Hoping for a speedy recovery and return to normal activities.
Wishing you a successful observing year for 2024 my friend.
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)
kt4hx wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2024 10:22 am
Outstanding Dave, as always. Certainly a nice VROD report to cap the end of 2023.
Agree with you about the Pleiades and the finder view versus the main view. Though, they do look fine through an 80mm.
Glad your daughter is doing better now. While I didn't have stones, I can sympathize about kidney issues! Hoping for a speedy recovery and return to normal activities.
Wishing you a successful observing year for 2024 my friend.
Thanks, Alan! It certainly was a rough holiday, but ended on a positive note. Looking forward to a great 2024!
