TheSkySearchers

I was able to get over to the dark site last night and do some observing. While there, I re-observed four of this month's objects with 17.5 inch. The full report is a work in progress and will be submitted in the reports forum. But, I wanted quickly share my notes for some of the challenge objects from last night (03 Feb).

North

NGC 2392 (Gemini, planetary nebula, mag=9.2, size=0.8’x0.7’, SBr=8.2):
This planetary, popularly known as the Eskimo Nebula, was swept up at 110x as a very bright and somewhat large (for PN) rounded orb of very pale blue light. Viewing at 152x and 199x, its disk was not smoothly illuminated, but contained a darker annulus surrounding the bright 9th mag central star. The brighter outer ring seemed diffuse and irregularly bright.

NGC 2420 (Gemini, open cluster, mag=8.3, size=6.0’, class=I2r):
Moving over to the next northern challenge object this month, I easily swept up this fine open cluster at 110x just over 2° ENE of NGC 2392. Compressed and detached from the general field, it was alive with over 30 stars with a backdrop of unresolved members. To my eye it reminded me of a mass of fireflies over a dark country field in the summer. Quite enchanting and pretty.

NGC 2419 (Lynx, globular cluster, mag=10.3, size=4.6’, class=2):
Now moving into Lynx, I quickly spotted the field for this distant globular in the RACI. The cluster is the eastern end of a line of three with a pair of 7th mag stars to its west. Taking a look with 110x and 152x, the cluster was a ghostly round glow that was granular in appearance. It was obvious in the field and presented an interesting view with the two field stars just to its west.


South

NGC 2359 (Canis Major, diffuse nebula, mag=8.0, size=10.0’x6.0’, SBr=13.3):
Taking a break before heading into Lynx, I swung down to one of this month’s challenge objects. The famous Thor’s Helmet (or Duck Nebula if you wish) was easily swept up in the 8x50 RACI finder as a tiny non-stellar dust mote. Moving to the eyepiece at 110x it was impressive without a filter. The main body of the nebular complex was bright and large, in its generally rounded shape. Its body was erratically illuminated giving the impression of movement within. Much dimmer, but also easily noticed were the “wings” emanating from the top of the helmet shape. These were very elongated and delicate wisps of nebulosity. Below the main section I also picked up the southern part (duck’s bill) streaming toward the west. This portion was dimmer than the helmet (or duck’s head) but more obvious than the streamers rising from the main section.

nice report on the eskimo nebula !

A fine read as always Alan! The three Northern targets are tiny but a smaller open cluster is more defined when it doesn't fill the field of view. I'm looking forward to a clear February night sky to have a go.

Regards

Graeme

All fine objects Alan. Checking my notes I see that I observed 2419 in 2018 though it appeared as a fuzzy orb. And the Eskimo I last observed in 2015... thanks for the report!

yobbo89 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:27 pm nice report on the eskimo nebula !

Glad you enjoyed it. Its been a while since I'd taken a closer look at it, and it never really disappoints visually.

Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:11 pm A fine read as always Alan! The three Northern targets are tiny but a smaller open cluster is more defined when it doesn't fill the field of view. I'm looking forward to a clear February night sky to have a go.

Regards

Graeme

Thanks Graeme. Small yes, but small does not mean bad in every case of course. As for open clusters, I am not really a huge fan of more visually dispersed open clusters, such as M44, M45 or Melotte 111. They can be nice in binoculars, or small apertures, but in larger apertures they loose their character, or definition as you stated. I prefer the smaller, condensed clusters as they present well in scopes of varying apertures and only get better as one increases magnification (as permitted by the conditions of course).

helicon wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:44 pm All fine objects Alan. Checking my notes I see that I observed 2419 in 2018 though it appeared as a fuzzy orb. And the Eskimo I last observed in 2015... thanks for the report!

Thanks Michael. It had been a while for me since I'd seen NGC 2419. I think it gets overlooked somewhat often by folks. It certainly isn't large nor bright for a globular, but it has an interesting visual character.

Congratulations!

I haven't had much time at the scope this month (or last for that matter). Either snow, rain, or clouds. I got a clear night last night but had to use it for 'testing' purposes so didn't get any 'explore' time.

Your reports/Challenges keep me motivated to try to get out as often as I can!

Gordon wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:20 pm Congratulations!

I haven't had much time at the scope this month (or last for that matter). Either snow, rain, or clouds. I got a clear night last night but had to use it for 'testing' purposes so didn't get any 'explore' time.

Your reports/Challenges keep me motivated to try to get out as often as I can!

Thank you Gordon. Obviously given the wide variety of geographies and weather patterns our member experiences, some folks don't get as many opportunities as others. But still we persevere. I hope you are able to get out there soon and report back on your results.

My main goal here is to inspire others to get out there and immerse themselves in the riches of our visible universe.