Observing Report for 03 February 2021 - no brass monkeys were harmed during the making of this report
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:46 pm
Since the moon has gotten out of the way and a single clear night presented itself, I headed over to the dark site to take advantage. Though the forecast was for clear skies and excellent transparency, seeing was projected to be horrendous. High elevation winds were wreaking havoc as were gusty winds closer to the ground. Upon stepping out, the sky, while beautiful, was a mass of scintillation.
Another issue was the cold. When I arrived at the house, there was still about four to five inches of snow on the ground and I had to shovel out my normal observing position so I didn’t have to slog around in the dark. About 1830 hours I set my gear up and aligned the finders, then returned to the house to get something quick and hot to eat. Before 1930 hours I finally stepped out. The temp was around 26° (F) with a “feels like” temp of 13° (F). Let the games begin!
(Equipment used)
17.5 inchf/ 4.5 dobsonian
ES 82 18mm (110x, 0.7° TFOV, 4.0mm exit pupil)
Ethos 13mm (152x, 0.7° TFOV, 2.9mm exit pupil)
XW 10mm (199x, 0.4° TFOV, 2.2mm exit pupil)
(Treasure found)
NGC 2392 (Gemini, planetary nebula, mag=9.2, size=0.8’x0.7’, SBr=8.2):
My first port of call would be Gemini for a couple of this month’sDSO challenges. Turning to chart 30-left in Interstellarum, I set off on the evening’s hunt. This planetary, popularly known as the Eskimo Nebula, was swept up at 110x as a very bright and somewhat large (for a 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 ofNGC 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. I found it quite enchanting and pretty.
NGC 2492 (Gemini, lenticular galaxy, mag=12.7, size=1.0 x1.0’‘, SBr=12.6):
Being the galaxy hunter that I am, it was time to pursue those denizens of the deep. Next to the border with Cancer I located my first one. Swept up with 110x, it presented a slightly bright small round glow with a bright non-stellar center. Using 199x it was an obvious round diffuse glow. Interestingly the central brightness initially noticed seemed less pronounced. (New)
NGC 2481 (Gemini, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.0, size=1.4’x.05’, SBr=12.4):
Over 3° south of the previous galaxy, and about 16.5’ ENE of a wide pair of field stars (7th and 8th mag). It was picked up at 110x as a small and dim elongated homogenous stripe. Viewing with 199x it was an obvious object within the field, and now displayed an intermittent stellar core. I did not however pick up mag 13.8NGC 2480 in the same field just to the northwest. (New)
IC 2199 (Gemini, barred spiral galaxy, mag=13.2, size=1.1’x0.6’, SBr=12.5):
IC 2196 (Gemini, elliptical galaxy, mag=12.7, size=1.4’x1.1’, SBr=12.9):
I had previously observed this pair of galaxies a few years ago with the 10 inch from the dark site. However, there were two other dimmer galaxies nearby that I didn’t detect, so I returned to the field, about half a degree south of Castor. With 110x I first located the primary pair.IC 2196 was obviously brighter and larger than its field mate about 12.5’ to the southeast. IC 2199, though smaller and dimmer was still obvious at 110x. Both were homogenous ovals, and overall small in extent.
IC 2193 (Gemini, spiral galaxy, mag=13.4, size=1.0’x0.6’, SBr=12.6):
Studying the field northwest ofIC 2196, I confirmed the presence of this small and dim oval at 199x. Its envelope was generally homogenous in appearance. (New)
IC 2194 (Gemini, spiral galaxy, mag=13.9, size=1.1’x0.3’, SBr=12.4):
Then moving just south ofIC 2196, still using 199x, I studied the field intently at 199x. After a bit, my eye finally detected this very small and very dim diffuse oval. (New)
UGC 3829 (Gemini, spiral galaxy, mag=12.9, size=1.0’x0.8’, SBr=12.5):
Northwest of Castor I pulled down this spiral at 110x. It appeared as a dim and very small rounded puff with an intermittent stellar core. With 199x the galaxy was more obvious and the stellar core was seen steadily. (New)
NGC 2389 (Gemini, barred spiral galaxy, mag=12.9, size=2.0’x1.4’, SBr=13.8):
Northeast of the previous object there is a small grouping of eight galaxies (NGC 2389 Group). Under the prevailing conditions I picked up the brightest three of this group. The brightest of the lot and its namesake was this barred spiral. At 110x it was a modestly large and slightly bright homogenous oval. Viewed with 152x and 199x, it remained homogenous but was obvious in the field. (New)
NGC 2379 (Gemini, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.5, size=0.9’x0.8’, SBr=12.9):
About 20’ WSW ofNGC 2389 I spotted this dimmer and smaller round homogenous glow at 110x. At 152x and 199x it was more obvious but remained evenly illuminated across its disk. (New)
NGC 2375 (Gemini, barred spiral galaxy, mag=13.6, size=1.3’x1.0’, SBr=13.6):
Just under 4’ WNW ofNGC 2375 and in the same field of view, I picked up this small and dim out of round homogenous glow. At 152x and 199x it was easier, but remained the weakest of the three I picked up. (New)
NGC 2418 (Gemini, elliptical galaxy, mag=12.2, size=1.8’x1.8’, SBr=13.2):
Turning over to chart 48-left in the IDSA, I located the mag 5.0 star 74 Geminorum. About 42.5’ WNW of the star I swept up this small round glow with 110x. Fairly bright to the eye, it displayed a non-stellar central brightness. Also viewed with 152x and 199x it was quite obvious in the field with its concentrated core brightness embedded within a diffuse envelope. (New)
NGC 2411 (Gemini, elliptical galaxy, mag=13.8, size=0.9’x0.6’, SBr=12.7):
Next up was this elliptical about 37.5’ northwest of the previous object. Initially at 110x, I only suspected its presence in the field as a fleeting dim mote. It was confirmed using 152x as a very small and very dim homogenous oval. Looking with 199x while more obvious it remained weak. I suspected a very intermittent stellar core within the disk. (New)
NGC 2407 (Gemini, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.4, size=1.1’x1.0’, SBr=13.2):
Another 38’ west of the last object I nailed down my next. Interestingly, despite its brighter listed magnitude (grain of salt here), it was more difficult thanNGC 2411. I hunted for it with 152x and only suspected its presence in the field a few minutes WSE of an 8th mag field star. However, I confirmed its presence at 199x as a small and dim round glow with an intermittent stellar core in its center. (New)
NGC 2406 (Gemini, elliptical galaxy, mag=14.2, size=0.7’x0.6’, SBr=13.0):
Just southwest of the previous galaxy, and in the same field of view, I also suspected this very small and dim dust bunny at 152x. It took 199x to confirm its presence and it remained weak, but an intermittent stellar core was picked up as seeing shifted. (New)
NGC 2359 (Canis Major, diffuse nebula, mag=8.0, size=10.0’x6.0’, SBr=13.3):
Taking a break from galaxy hunting 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 8x50RACI 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.
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 theRACI . 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.
NGC 2532 (Lynx, barred spiral galaxy, mag=12.4, size=1.9’x1.4’, SBr=13.2):
I now returned to the program already in progress – finding some new galaxies! Just into Lynx from the northeastern corner of Gemini I scooped up this somewhat bright oval using 110x. Slightly large, it displayed a broadly brighter core. Dropping in the XW10 (199x) the galaxy was bright and obvious within the field. (New)
NGC 2543 (Lynx, barred spiral galaxy, mag=11.9, size=2.3’x1.2’, SBr=12.7):
Turning to chart 24-left of the IDSA, I next targeted this barred spiral. Pretty bright and somewhat large oval at 110x, it displayed a broadly brighter central region. Viewing at 199x it was quite obvious in the field, plus something about its disk really piqued my curiosity. Studying it for a little bit I found its envelope to be unevenly illuminated. There seemed to be two dimmer sections on either side of the core and framed by brighter ones at the outer edges.
As is typical, when I note something of interest in a galaxy, I always make a note to check it later to see if there are any structural details that might account for what I saw. So after the session, I checked some images of the galaxy. What I found was this is a two armed barred spiral and images showed darker dusty areas on either side of the central bar, between it and the two spiral arms. That was a pleasing revelation indeed. (New)
IC 2227 (Lynx, lenticular galaxy, mag=14.1, size=0.7’x0.7’, SBr=13.1):
Just over 1° west of the previous object is a very wide east-west line of three stars. Between the eastern-most (8th mag) and center star (7th mag) of this line I searched for this dim fuzz-bot. Nothing was seen at 110x, but at 199x I confirmed its presence as a very small and dim round homogenous dust bunny. Overall it was weak, but readily seen. (New)
IC 2225 (Lynx, barred lenticular galaxy, mag=13.9, size=0.9’x0.7’, SBr=13.1):
Nearly 21’ SSW of the center star of the aforementioned line of three, I was able to pick up another very small and dim smudge of light with 199x. Though to my eye it was slightly dimmer thanIC 2227, it was still clearly seen. (New)
NGC 2484 (Lynx, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.0, size=0.9’x0.8’, SBr=12.4):
Next up was this lenticular, which lies just over 1.5° northwest of the western-most star (6th mag HD 66175) in the previously mentioned line of three. This galaxy was located northeast of a pentagon pattern of 7th and 8th mag stars. First picked up with 110x, it presented a very dim and small round glow. Viewed with 152x and 199x it was obvious within the field, still small in extent and remained homogenous in appearance. (New)
NGC 2444 (Lynx, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.2, size=1.1’x0.8’, SBr=13.0):
NGC 2445 (Lynx, irregular ring galaxy, mag=13.3, size=1.4’x1.1’, SBr=13.6):
This interacting pair, though overall dim were easily spotted at 110x as a very elongated perturbed glow. The two galaxies were distinct, but in contact. The northern one (NGC 2444) displayed a stellar core, while the southern one, NGC 2445, was more diffuse. Another galaxy, MCG +7-16-15 (mag 14.9), just northwest of the pair was not seen. This duo are also catalogued as Arp 143 and VV 117. (New-2)
NGC 2691 (Lynx, spiral galaxy, mag=13.1, size=0.9’x0.6’, SBr=12.0):
Turning the page over to chart 23, I next targeted this spiral 2.5° SSW of magnitude 4.0 HD 76943. Found with 110x, it was a small and dim homogenous oval. Even at 152x and 199x it remained weak and diffuse looking. (New)
NGC 2759 (Lynx, lenticular galaxy, mag=13.0, size=1.0’x0.7’, SBr=12.4):
I star hopped over to mag 4.6 HD 77912 about 2.5° to the southeast in search of my final object for the evening. Almost 1° to the SSE of this star I located my quarry. Small and dim, this oval was evenly illuminated across its disk at 110x. Viewing with 152x it remained weak but was still readily seen in the field. Using 199x it became obvious, though still homogenous in appearance. (New)
I decided that I’d finally had enough of the cold and tough seeing, so I packed it in around 2230 hours. Back inside warming up, I checked the conditions, and found it was now 20° (F) with a feels like of 9° (F). When the surface winds were calm, it wasn’t too bad, but when they gusted – brrrrrrrrrrr! Anyway, thanks for coming out and braving the cold with me. I hope you get a chance soon to get out under a clear (warmer) night sky.
Another issue was the cold. When I arrived at the house, there was still about four to five inches of snow on the ground and I had to shovel out my normal observing position so I didn’t have to slog around in the dark. About 1830 hours I set my gear up and aligned the finders, then returned to the house to get something quick and hot to eat. Before 1930 hours I finally stepped out. The temp was around 26° (F) with a “feels like” temp of 13° (F). Let the games begin!
(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)
(Treasure found)
My first port of call would be Gemini for a couple of this month’s
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
Being the galaxy hunter that I am, it was time to pursue those denizens of the deep. Next to the border with Cancer I located my first one. Swept up with 110x, it presented a slightly bright small round glow with a bright non-stellar center. Using 199x it was an obvious round diffuse glow. Interestingly the central brightness initially noticed seemed less pronounced. (New)
Over 3° south of the previous galaxy, and about 16.5’ ENE of a wide pair of field stars (7th and 8th mag). It was picked up at 110x as a small and dim elongated homogenous stripe. Viewing with 199x it was an obvious object within the field, and now displayed an intermittent stellar core. I did not however pick up mag 13.8
I had previously observed this pair of galaxies a few years ago with the 10 inch from the dark site. However, there were two other dimmer galaxies nearby that I didn’t detect, so I returned to the field, about half a degree south of Castor. With 110x I first located the primary pair.
Studying the field northwest of
Then moving just south of
UGC 3829 (Gemini, spiral galaxy, mag=12.9, size=1.0’x0.8’, SBr=12.5):
Northwest of Castor I pulled down this spiral at 110x. It appeared as a dim and very small rounded puff with an intermittent stellar core. With 199x the galaxy was more obvious and the stellar core was seen steadily. (New)
Northeast of the previous object there is a small grouping of eight galaxies (
About 20’ WSW of
Just under 4’ WNW of
Turning over to chart 48-left in the IDSA, I located the mag 5.0 star 74 Geminorum. About 42.5’ WNW of the star I swept up this small round glow with 110x. Fairly bright to the eye, it displayed a non-stellar central brightness. Also viewed with 152x and 199x it was quite obvious in the field with its concentrated core brightness embedded within a diffuse envelope. (New)
Next up was this elliptical about 37.5’ northwest of the previous object. Initially at 110x, I only suspected its presence in the field as a fleeting dim mote. It was confirmed using 152x as a very small and very dim homogenous oval. Looking with 199x while more obvious it remained weak. I suspected a very intermittent stellar core within the disk. (New)
Another 38’ west of the last object I nailed down my next. Interestingly, despite its brighter listed magnitude (grain of salt here), it was more difficult than
Just southwest of the previous galaxy, and in the same field of view, I also suspected this very small and dim dust bunny at 152x. It took 199x to confirm its presence and it remained weak, but an intermittent stellar core was picked up as seeing shifted. (New)
Taking a break from galaxy hunting 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
Now moving into Lynx, I quickly spotted the field for this distant globular in the
I now returned to the program already in progress – finding some new galaxies! Just into Lynx from the northeastern corner of Gemini I scooped up this somewhat bright oval using 110x. Slightly large, it displayed a broadly brighter core. Dropping in the XW10 (199x) the galaxy was bright and obvious within the field. (New)
Turning to chart 24-left of the IDSA, I next targeted this barred spiral. Pretty bright and somewhat large oval at 110x, it displayed a broadly brighter central region. Viewing at 199x it was quite obvious in the field, plus something about its disk really piqued my curiosity. Studying it for a little bit I found its envelope to be unevenly illuminated. There seemed to be two dimmer sections on either side of the core and framed by brighter ones at the outer edges.
As is typical, when I note something of interest in a galaxy, I always make a note to check it later to see if there are any structural details that might account for what I saw. So after the session, I checked some images of the galaxy. What I found was this is a two armed barred spiral and images showed darker dusty areas on either side of the central bar, between it and the two spiral arms. That was a pleasing revelation indeed. (New)
Just over 1° west of the previous object is a very wide east-west line of three stars. Between the eastern-most (8th mag) and center star (7th mag) of this line I searched for this dim fuzz-bot. Nothing was seen at 110x, but at 199x I confirmed its presence as a very small and dim round homogenous dust bunny. Overall it was weak, but readily seen. (New)
Nearly 21’ SSW of the center star of the aforementioned line of three, I was able to pick up another very small and dim smudge of light with 199x. Though to my eye it was slightly dimmer than
Next up was this lenticular, which lies just over 1.5° northwest of the western-most star (6th mag HD 66175) in the previously mentioned line of three. This galaxy was located northeast of a pentagon pattern of 7th and 8th mag stars. First picked up with 110x, it presented a very dim and small round glow. Viewed with 152x and 199x it was obvious within the field, still small in extent and remained homogenous in appearance. (New)
This interacting pair, though overall dim were easily spotted at 110x as a very elongated perturbed glow. The two galaxies were distinct, but in contact. The northern one (
Turning the page over to chart 23, I next targeted this spiral 2.5° SSW of magnitude 4.0 HD 76943. Found with 110x, it was a small and dim homogenous oval. Even at 152x and 199x it remained weak and diffuse looking. (New)
I star hopped over to mag 4.6 HD 77912 about 2.5° to the southeast in search of my final object for the evening. Almost 1° to the SSE of this star I located my quarry. Small and dim, this oval was evenly illuminated across its disk at 110x. Viewing with 152x it remained weak but was still readily seen in the field. Using 199x it became obvious, though still homogenous in appearance. (New)
I decided that I’d finally had enough of the cold and tough seeing, so I packed it in around 2230 hours. Back inside warming up, I checked the conditions, and found it was now 20° (F) with a feels like of 9° (F). When the surface winds were calm, it wasn’t too bad, but when they gusted – brrrrrrrrrrr! Anyway, thanks for coming out and braving the cold with me. I hope you get a chance soon to get out under a clear (warmer) night sky.