Embedded Files
Caldwell Observing Program
Rules and Regulations:
To qualify for a Caldwell Award, you need to be a member of the Astronomical League, either through an affiliated club or as a Member-at-Large, and observe and record your observations on The Observers Guide - Deep-Sky Observation Form, or some similar form. This form has a place for description and drawing. Only one is required but the detail should be sufficient to convince your society's awards coordinator that you did in fact expend the time and effort to find and, hopefully, appreciate the reason that Sir Patrick selected the object for a place of honor on his list. A photo or CCD image may be added but cannot replace the visual observation. Any telescope or binoculars are acceptable, however, computer assisted and Go -To capabilities are not to be used.
To receive your certificate and pin, submit your observations to your society's awards coordinator for verification, who will then contact the League Coordinator. This is necessary to ensure AL membership requirements. Members-at-Large should send copies of their records directly to the League Coordinator. Upon verification, your award will be forwarded to your society's representative for presentation, or directly to Members-at-Large.
Seeing Scale:
1 - Chaotic: lowest power stellar images unsteady
2-3 - Severely disturbed: low power planetary/nebulae images unsteady
4-5 - Poor: medium powers unsteady
6-7 - Good: only high powers unsteady
8-9 - Excellent: only highest powers soft
10 - Superb: all powers steady
Transparency Scale:
1 - Mostly Cloudy
2-3 - Hazy; 1 or 2 Little Dipper stars visible
4 - 3-4 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way not visible
5 - 4 Little Dipper stars; Bright parts of Milky Way visible (Scutum starcloud)
6 - 5 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way visible with averted vision
7 - 6 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way visible
8-9 - Excellent: 7 Little Dipper stars; M-31 visible
10 - Superb: M-33 and/or M-81 visible
Steve Boerner
sboerner@charter.net
Comments:
Objects were located and identified using SkySafari 4
All targets were found by star hopping and the GoTo features of SkySafari, any other program, or telescope hardware were NOT used to center targets for this observing program.
No additional aid from others was used to locate and/or identify objects.
Optics:
Celestron 14 is 14" f/11 SCT with a 3900 mm focal length
SkyWatcher 12" is a 12" f/5 Newtonian with a 1500mm focal length
Orion 11x80 binoculars
Observing Locations: Bortle Latitude Longitude Elevation
Brommelsiek Park orange 38.723N 90.815W 644 ft
Danville WA green 38.868N 91.514W 823 ft
White: Memorial WA green 39.171 N 91.005 W 802 ft
About the Caldwell Catalog and my limited choices:
The Caldwell Catalogue is a list of 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The list was compiled by Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore as a complement to the Messier Catalog. Moore noted that Messier's list did not include many of the sky's brightest deep-sky objects, such as the Hyades, the Double Cluster, and the Sculptor Galaxy. Moore also observed that since Messier compiled his list from observations in Paris, it did not include bright deep-sky objects visible in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Omega Centauri, Centaurus A, the Jewel Box, and 47 Tucanae. Moore compiled a list of 109 objects – to match the commonly accepted number of Messier objects (110 minus the duplicate 102 acknowledged by Méchain) – and the list was published in Sky & Telescope in December 1995.
Moore used his other surname (Caldwell) to name the list, as the first letter of "Moore" is already used for the Messier Catalogue. Entries in the catalog are designated with a "C" and the catalog number (1 to 109).
Unlike objects in the Messier catalog, which are listed roughly in the order of discovery by Messier and his colleagues, the Caldwell catalog is ordered by declination, with C1 being the most northerly and C109 being the most southerly. Knowing that I could just see C80, Omega Centauri about 5 degrees above the horizon, limited my choices such that I needed to view seventy of the first eighty in the catalog.
My Caldwell Observation Log:
Data: Observations:
C#: 1
NGC/IC: NGC 0188
Con.: Cep
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Polaris
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 09:15 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
DIM! After reading the SkySafari description I understand why it was included...it is the oldest known open cluster. A three-FOV star hop over and one down from Polaris. It is right below three brighter stars in a line. All the stars in the open cluster are very dim and of equal dimness. There may be a central core. Possibly as many as 70 stars but difficult. Trumpler II 3 m. Part of the Open Cluster program
C#: 2
NGC/IC: NGC 0040
Con.: Cep
Type: PN
Starting Pt.: Erral at the top of Cep
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 08:51 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12 8
Powers: 47x 75x 125x 188x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
No moon was in the sky when the object was observed. Star hop five fields east and one field down from Erral at the top of Cep. Interesting-- looks like a star, but then a faint disk appears. Clearly a PN. The disk is longer than wide with a central star and brighter on the west side. There is a slight bluish color. An OIII filter was not much help in finding or seeing this object. Direct vision does a poor job of revealing any detail about the object and averted vision was definitely necessary to see the PN. There is a visible central star. In terms of magnification, viewing was better at 12mm(325x). NGC 0040 is one of the Herschel 400.
C#: 3
NGC/IC: NGC 4236
Con.: Dra
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Gianfar
Date: 10/15/2015
Time: 07:55 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x no
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
An easy star hop from Gianfar at the end of Draco's tail…three fields up and three to the west. This should be my last night working on the Caldwells with only three needed. So far deer hunters driving through Danville's parking lot make dark adaption difficult. It's been fifteen minutes since the last one drove in and out and this galaxy is still a dim blob. I know I'm in the right field because of a double and a hook of two stars just above the blob. The blob is about three times longer than wide but not distinct at all. No moon in the sky to complicate things.
C#: 4 Not seen
C#: 5
NGC/IC: IC 342
Con.: Cam
Type: SBcG
Starting Pt.: Maram in Per
Date: 10/15/2015
Time: 08:35 pm CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Easy to find the field, but oh so hard to see from Broemmelsiek. It is a small dim smudge with no detail. Revisit from a darker sky? Yep better at Danville! It's dim, but it covers the middle 1/3 of my 20mm eyepiece so it is about 18 arcminutes. It looks circular and blotchy. Even at magnitude 9.2, it seems dim. Later that evening Dan Crowson explained why it was so difficult....background dust in the Milky Way partially obscures it. Whatever the reason, it was difficult.
C#: 6
NGC/IC: NGC 6543
Con.: Dra
Type: PN
Starting Pt.: Aldhibah
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 11:33 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 8
Powers: 47x 75x 188x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Four fovs down from Aldhibah in Draco at the time of observation. This PN looked stellar at lower powers but it really popped with an OIII filter. It is blue-green in color and is a small disk with the 8mm at 188x although it was too small to estimate the size. It dims a bit after viewing for a while…blinks? Also, see as part of the Herschel 400 and PN programs.
C#: 7
NGC/IC: NGC 2403
Con.: Cam
Type: ScG
Starting Pt.: Muscida
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 11:00 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A fairly large galaxy five fovs down and five fovs over from Myscida (UMa's Bear nose). It looks to be about twice as long as wide with a small core running SE/NW. SkySafari raves about how great it is, but it wasn't too impressive tonight...maybe high clouds passing through. It is probably worth a revisit from a darker site.
C#: 8
NGC/IC: NGC 0559
Con.: Cas
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Ruchbah - delta Cas
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 08:30 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
And a third open cluster starting at Ruchbah. Starting with Ruchbah at the bottom of the field three fields to the east and one up comes this small and faint open cluster. It is less than 1/10 the FOV of the 32mm eyepiece (less than 9'). There are three brighter stars in a triangle, but the rest of the members are very dim. Possibly a Trumpler 3 II p but more stars could be below limiting magnitude for the night. All things considered, it is pretty unimpressive for this program. Seen as part of the H400
C#: 9
NGC/IC: Sh2-155
Con.: Cep
Type: BN
Starting Pt.: iota Cep
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 8:57 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Starting at iota Ceph a three FOV star hop to the double HR 8808 and then down one FOV to C9. Dan C would be so happy that I'm searching for a Sharpless. There is a faint nebulosity spread over a wide area but only with averted vision. I can't really see any shape to describe. SkySafari says "visually difficult, but with adequate exposure makes a striking image" Well my eyes don't do an adequate exposure...maybe at a black sky site, but not anywhere around here.
C#: 10
NGC/IC: NGC 0663
Con.: Cas
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Ruchbah - delta Cas
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 08:24 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
With Ruchbah at the bottom left of the field, a little more than two fields up and C10 is easily seen. This is a fairly large open cluster about 1/5th the FOV in the 32mm ep (18'). There are four brighter stars, forty or so dimmer stars some of which are quite faint. My best guess is Trumpler II 3 m. It shows up as fairly bright and easy to find and see. Also seen as part of the H400 and DeepSky Bino programs.
C#: 11
NGC/IC: NGC 7635
Con.: Cep
Common Name: Bubble Nebula
Type: BN
Starting Pt.: iota Cep
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 09:03 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I know I'm in the right location because it shares the field with M52. The Bubble Nebula is to the southwest of M52. There's a reasonably bright star that looks to have a bit of nebulosity around it (or reflecting off the nose grease on the eyepiece). No real detail is seen, but there is a faint glow. It looks to be about 1/8th the FOV of the 20 mm ep (7 arcseconds) in size and a whole lot dimmer than the listed magnitude 7.
C#: 12
Con.: Cep
Type: ScG
Common Name: Fireworks Galaxy
Starting Pt.: eta Cep
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 09:34 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I started at eta Cep for a short one-field east and one field up star hop to the Fireworks galaxy. There's a jagged line of six stars at the bottom of the field. The fireworks are easy…the bright stars in the field. The galaxy is a bit more difficult than the mag 10 seems. It is mostly round and faint with brighter stars like sparks around and over it. It's about 1/8 the fov of the 20mm ep.
NGC/IC: NGC 6946
C#: 13
NGC/IC: NGC 0457
Con.: Cas
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Ruchbah - delta Cas
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 08:13 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I've seen ET before but never like this...in some ways the best view ever. Comet Lovejoy is in the same field and it is a great coincidence. The star hop from Ruchbach was one field to the east to Lovejoy and then one down to C13. ET looks the same as at FNOHs and Glacier --two bright eyes (the left is the brightest) and then body and arms waving...almost like saying hello to Lovejoy. The open cluster looks like it stretches more in the "arms" direction than the "body" and is about 1/5th the ep (18') from one "hand" to the other. There are more than 100 stars in the cluster of unequal brightness and no clearly defined center. Trumpler II 3 r Also seen with 11x80 binos as part of the Universe Sampler, H400 program, and Deep Sky Bino programs.
C#: 14
NGC/IC: NGC 0869/0884
Con.: Per
Type: OC double
Starting Pt.: Segin - epsilon Cas
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 08:51 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
This is the Double Cluster. Tonight it is almost naked eye and it really pops out in the finder scope. I estimate that there are at least 150 stars in each of the clusters. There are many bright stars in each and they almost look like they have a central grouping. I would estimate a Trumpler classification of I 2 r. It looks best at lower powers. The Double Cluster was also seen as part of the H400, Deep Sky Binocular, and Universe Sampler Programs.
C#: 15
NGC/IC: NGC 6826
Con.: Cyg
Type: PN
Common Name: Blinking Nebula
Starting Pt.: Al Fawaris in Cyg
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 10:43 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Tough star hop because it was almost in the dob hole at the time of the observation. I used an OIII filter and did see some blinking going on. First it was there, then it was gone. Interesting! I'm pretty sure I saw the star at the center of this PN…. Nice color and is easy to pick up with the 32mm. Good with the 20mm too. It looks longer than wide and pretty small.
C#: 16
NGC/IC: NGC 7243
Con.: Lac
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Alderamin
Date: 8/15/2015
Time: 09:49 pm CDT
From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: C14
Eps (mm): 32 26
Powers: 122x 150x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
The star hop took forever but I ended up at this huge open cluster. Marker stars that I could recognize in Lacerta were few and far between in this part of the sky and glow in the NE meant not much success through the C14's poor finder. Huge = virtually filling the 26mm eyepiece and almost filling the 32mm. There are 21 really bright stars and possibly 60 in total. With that many stars, they are really spread out and there isn't a clearly defined center. Some of the count may also be stars not associated with the OC too. Three distinct doubles in the eyepiece too. I don't know this part of the sky very well.
C#: 17
NGC/IC: NGC 0147
Con.: Cas
Type: dE4G
Starting Pt.: M31
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 09:12 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A fast star hop from M31 and about 45 degrees up in the east at the time of viewing. I feel like I'm working on the H400 again looking for faint galaxies looking in a field with dim stars that don't resemble any particular shapes to mention. Both C18 and C17 are about the same size, shape and brightness. I wouldn't trust my eyes to be able to tell the difference. They both fit well into the FOV of my 32mm eyepiece but even these two look dim tonight. C17 is lower and a bit to the left in the eyepiece at the time of viewing.
C#: 18
NGC/IC: NGC 0185
Con.: Cas
Type: dE0G
Starting Pt.: M31
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 09:14 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A fast star hop from M31 and about 45 degrees up in the east at the time of viewing. I feel like I'm working on the H400 again looking for faint galaxies looking in a field with dim stars that don't resemble any particular shapes to mention. Both C18 and C17 are about the same size, shape and brightness. I wouldn't trust my eyes to be able to tell the difference. They both fit well into the FOV of my 32mm eyepiece but even these two look dim tonight. C18 is higher and a bit to the right in the eyepiece at the time of viewing.
C#: 19
NGC/IC: IC 5146
Con.: Cyg
Type BN
Common Name: Cocoon Neb
Starting Pt.: NGC7243
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 09:02 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I was taking another look at the nice open cluster C16 and did the easy two FOV east and two FOV hop up to C19. A very faint nebulosity in an area surrounding two brighter stars. It looks about 1/6th the fov of the 20mm ep (10 arcminutes). The SkySafari picture is impressive, but my eyepiece view isn't with no detail or color.
C#: 20
NGC/IC: NGC 7000
Con.: Cyg
Type: BN
Common Name: North American Nebula
Starting Pt.: Deneb
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 11:20 PM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"/11x80s
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x &11x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I couldn't see much with the 12" After looking with the 12" and not seeing much I grabbed my 11x80s. I've seen the North American before with these binoculars but the sightings were undocumented. Tonight it doesn't really stand out, but it is visible. It is about 1/2 the fob of the binoculars or about 2 degrees
C#: 21
NGC/IC: NGC 4449
Con.: CVn
Type: IG
Starting Pt.: Chara
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 09:54 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Starting at Chara in CVn it was two fields down and one field to the south at the time of observation. It stood out well in the field of the 32mm ep and was excellent in the 20mm. It was clearly irregular and didn't have much in the way of a central core. SkySafari mentioned a central bar but it wasn't seen. It is elongated about twice as long in one direction vs the other. It runs northeast/southwest. Dan Crowson even liked it.
C#: 22
NGC/IC: NGC 7662
Con.: And
Type: PN
Common Name: Blue Snowball
Starting Pt.: Scheat
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 10:50 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A really long star hop, to a nice PN with doubles all over the field in the 32mm ep. An OIII made it pop out from the rest of the field so no question that I'm there. Better under higher powers…maybe a bit blue but pretty small. Not star-like but tiny.
C#: 23
NGC/IC: NGC 0891
Con.: And
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Almach -- Gamma And
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 08:43 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Back to Almach again after C28--a little more than two fields up and one field to the east gets this dim edge-on galaxy in view. It runs from 8 o'clock to 2 o'clock and about 1/5th of the way across the 32mm view (18'). I originally thought I was looking for an open cluster and was puzzled why I didn't see it...duh...galaxy and much dimmer! It was best in the 20mm eyepiece. Dark sky is needed to see it so only try for this on good nights at the park. Also seen as part of the H400 although done with GoTo there.
C#: 24 Not seen
Description/Notes:
C#: 25
NGC/IC: NGC 2419
Con.: Lyn
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: Castor
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 09:30 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
DESCRIPTION /NOTES:
It is fully dark, but it is still very difficult to see this glob with anything other than averted vision. I'm in the right field and looking in the right place because it is at the end of a hook/arc of four stars. It shows as a small, fuzzy patch. The star hop started at Castor... two fields over to the north and two up to get to o Gem and then three over and one up to get to this guy. It is going to take a much darker sky than Danville has tonight to see much more detail here. It is fairly small even with the 20mm ep's 50 arcminute FOV. Best guess for inclusion on the Caldwell list? A glob that is far away from the galactic core.
C#: 26
NGC/IC: NGC 4244
Con.: CVn
Type: SG
Starting Pt.: Cor Coroli
Date: 3/16/2015
Time: 12:23 AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Six fields up and one field over from Cor Coroli with 6 CVn to show the way. This is an impressive edge on spiral galaxy at least 8x longer than wide with really pointed ends. It is about 1/6th the width of the 32mm ep so at least 15' long. There are two bright stars running in the same direction at the top of the field. It is part of the HII, Flat Galaxy, and Local Group programs. Really good!
C#: 27
NGC/IC: NGC 6888
Con.: Cyg
Type: BN
Starting Pt.: Sadr
Date: 10/15/2015
Time: 08:18 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A maddening star hop from Sadr! Only two fields but Dob hole and thousands of stars, I know I'm in the right field because of the seven-star pattern that overlays the Crescent. With the unaided eyepiece view, I only see a slight lightening of the background of the star pattern. With an OIII there is definitely enough lightening to say I really did see the nebulosity of the Crescent. Not great, but possible.
C#: 28
NGC/IC: NGC 0752
Con.: And
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Almach -- Gamma And
Date: 3/11/2015
Time: 8:37 PM CDT
From: Whiteside
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A huge and impressive open cluster that is three fovs east and two fovs down from Almach. It is almost a degree across and has 60-70 of similar bright magnitudes. There looks to be a concentration in the center. My Trumpler estimate is I 1 m although all the bright stars could mask many dim ones making it I 1 r. The bright stars talk your eyes into seeing many triangles, squares, and other geometric patterns. Also seen as part of the H400 and Deep Space Binocular programs.
C#: 29
NGC/IC: NGC 5005
Con.: CVn
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Cor Coroli
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 09:40 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Starting at Cor Corli this galaxy was two fields down and 1/2 a field to the south at the time of observation. It showed up easily in the 32mm ep but was much better with the 20mm's FOV. It is an elongated spiral more than twice as long as wide. It has a pretty bright core and the nebulosity extends out fairly far running east-west. It is a nice object and fairly bright against the background sky.
C#: 30
NGC/IC: NGC 7331
Con.: Peg
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Scheat
Date: 8/12/2015
Time: 12:40 AM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32
Powers: 47x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Another easy starhop to a disappointing galaxy. Three stars in a row below and two on the right show the correct field. It really is not very good. Longer than wide by 2x. Looks like an edge on spiral that is about 1/5 the diameter of the field of the 20mm ep so about 11 arcminutes long. Dim.
C#: 31 Not seen
Description/Notes:
C#: 32
NGC/IC: NGC 4631
Con.: CVn
Type: ScG
Starting Pt.: Gamma CoB
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 11:16 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I probably should have waited until later as it was getting pretty close to the dob hole. It was a pain star hopping. Five fovs up from gamma CoB and it was really apparent -- fat body, slimming down to the skinny tail. It is easily five times longer than wide, but no core that I can see. It runs pretty much east/west.
C#: 33
NGC/IC: NGC 6992/6995
Con.: Cyg
Type: SN
Common Name: East Veil Nebula
Starting Pt.: Gienah in Cyg
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 11:12 PM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Star hop is easy… two fields down from Gienah and a bit more than one west lead to the East Veil. The veil itself was a bit hard to see visually (easier than the West) but popped with an OIII. The veil ran all the way across the 20 mm ep with a very apparent arc.
C#: 34
NGC/IC: NGC 6960
Con.: Cyg
Type: SN
Common Name: West Veil Nebula
Starting Pt.: Gienah in Cyg
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 11:14 PM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Star hop easy… two fields west from Gienah and a bit more one down lead to the West Veil and the embedded star. The veil itself was a bit hard to see visually (harder than the East) but popped with an OIII. The veil ran all the way across the 20 mm ep. The brightness of the embedded star may have made it more difficult.
C#: 35 Not seen
Description/Notes:
C#: 36
NGC/IC: NGC 4559
Con.: Com
Type: ScG
Starting Pt.: NGC 4565
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 10:19 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A bit more than one fov up from the previous Needle Galaxy and not nearly as exciting. It is a fuzzy patch with little central core, a bit longer than wide. It runs a bit tilted from N/S.
C#: 37
NGC/IC: NGC 6885
Con.: Vul
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Tip of arrow
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 11:49 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Five fields west and four fields up from the tip of Sagittae. It is a fairly small open cluster of about 75 stars, most with similar brightnesses. Not very impressive.
C#: 38
NGC/IC: NGC 4565
Con.: Com
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Gamma CoB
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 10:09 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Starting at Gamma CoB this edge on spiral is one FOV to the east and two down at the time of observation. It is fairly faint with not much in the way of a central core, but it is fairly easy to see it stretched out north-south at least six times longer than wide. It is interesting, but I'm fighting clouds that drift in and out making more viewing difficult. Dan C liked it too.
C#: 39
NGC/IC: NGC 2392
Con.: Gem
Type: PN
Starting Pt.: Wasat
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 11:17 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12 8
Powers: 47x 75x 125x 188x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Two fields east and one up from Wasat in Gem. STELLAR when viewed so I'll include the description from when I viewed it as part of the PN program; Looks like it takes more magnification than I can get from my F/5 12" since the C14 at f/11 did the job at 122x 150x 195x 325x. No moon was in the sky when the object was observed. (1/19/2014 8:27 PM CST Broemmelsiek Park) Distinct pale blue/green PN. Clearly not a point source with a disk-like appearance at higher powers. It was in an awkward location in the sky for the C14 and hard to contort to see. It blinks and may have a ring. An OIII is needed to find and see the object. Direct vision does a good job of revealing detail and averted vision isn't needed to see this planetary nebula. There is a central star. The object looked best at higher magnification. NGC 2392 is one of the Herschel 400.Seen as part of the H400 and PN programs also in the Urban program.
C#: 40
NGC/IC: NGC 3626
Con.: Leo
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Zosma
Date: 3/16/2015
Time: 12:04 AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Two fields down and about half a field east of Zosma in Leo. This is a really tiny, faint spiral that shows mostly the core. NCG 3607 and NGC 3608 are on the left of the field and look to be a bit larger and brighter. This galaxy isn't very impressive when compared to other Caldwell objects seen tonight. I wonder why it was picked for the list. Also seen as part of the H400.
C#: 41
NGC/IC: --
Con.: Tau
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Aldebran
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 08:36 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: 11x80s
Eps (mm): -----
Powers: 11X
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
The Hyades... Huge--no star hop needed to find this one, just point the binos at Aldebaran. Even bigger than the 4.4-degree fov for the binoculars. Many bright stars of equal brightness with a few dimmer. Probably well over 80 spread over a big area. I'd say Trumpler II 2 m. No central concentration. Part of the Urban program.
C#: 42
NGC/IC: NGC 7006
Con.: Del
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: dolphin nose
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 11:27 PM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Easy star hop from dolphin nose… one field down and three west. Tiny... Almost missed it in the 32 mm ep. In the 12 it still looked small… I'd guess Shapley-Sawyer IV but so small that I may be wrong. I'd seen it with a C14 as part of the Globular Cluster program where I wrote: Small and a bit dim, but certainly a globular cluster and easier to see than some in the Globular Cluster Program. It might be a III.
C#: 43
NGC/IC: NGC 7814
Con.: Peg
Type: SbG
Starting Pt.: Algenib
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 09:52 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Two fields up and slightly to the west from Algenib in the great square about 45 degrees up in the east. I see three possible doubles in the field with the 20mm ep. It's a broken record.. dim, faint, small, difficult, no detail, a small blob, especially under higher magnification. I need more aperture and a darker sky. Getting some heavy dew and it's starting to drip.
C#: 44
NGC/IC: NGC 7479
Con.: Peg
Type: SBbG
Starting Pt.: Markab
Date: 9/12/2015
Time: 09:59 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A two field starhop west and up from Markab in the Great Square. There's a line of three stars that points to this galaxy. Yet another dim and small galaxy with a sky that could be a bit darker to make it see well. This galaxy looks like a small round patch with the 20mm ep and looks like a faint star with the 32s. I need to warm up the eyepieces to get rid of the heavy dew. Time for a break.
C#: 45
NGC/IC: NGC 5248
Con.: Boo
Type: ScG
Starting Pt.: Vindematrix
Date: 6/9/2015
Time: 10:00 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
An eight field starhop from Vindmatrix. Two brighter stars above it point to this galaxy. Even at 10:00 pm, it isn't fully dark, so this little galaxy is a bit hard to separate from the background. It is slightly longer than wide with a good core.
C#: 46
NGC/IC: NGC 2261
Con.: Mon
Type: BN
Starting Pt.: Rosette Nebula
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 11:06 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Three fields up and one field west of the Rosette Nebula. It is a small tear drop shaped nebulosity. I originally thought it looked a bit like coma, but that doesn't happen in the middle of a field. JT used the word "tear drop" and I like it. The top of the drop was on the upper right and ran from 2 to 8 o'clock. Part of the Bright Nebula and HII programs.
C#: 47.
NGC/IC: NGC 6934
Con.: Del
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: dolphin tail
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 11:27 PM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Easy star how from the end of the dolphin's tail. It is three fields down and one field west. Tiny. Almost missed it in the 32 mm ep too. In the 12 it still looked small… I'd guess Shapley-Sawyer VI or less but so small that I may be wrong. Small and dim and fairly uniform, lacking an area of central concentration
C#: 48
NGC/IC: NGC 2775
Con.: Can
Type: SaG
Starting Pt.: Zeta Hyd
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 10:17 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A little more than three fields east and one field up from Zeta Hyd. Nice sized spiral in CnC. It looks a bit longer than wide with a good core and a faint halo. Also seen as part of the H400.
C#: 49.
NGC/IC: NGC 2237-9
Con.: Mon
Type: BN
Starting Pt.: Betelgeuse
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 10:56 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Betelgeuse to Epsilon Mon with the finder and then one field east and one field up. Not much until I used the OIII filter and the 32mm was better. A large circle of nebulosity around a loose open cluster of 40-50 bright stars. Part of the Bright Nebula and Stellar Evolution programs
C#: 50
NGC/IC: NGC 2244
Con.: Mon
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: epsilon Mon
Date: 10/12/2015
Time: 03:18 AM CDT Broemmelsiek
From: 7
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): SkyWatcher 12"
Scope: 32 20
Eps (mm): 47x 75x
Powers: no
Moon?:
Description/Notes:
An easy two field hop east of epsilon Mon at the time of viewing. This is the open cluster in the heart of the Rosette Nebula. There are 50-60 stars of different brightness, some very bright, some very dim. There is a center concentration, but not at the center of the cluster--it is offset to the west. A surrounding ring nebulosity can be seen with an OIII but not visually. Trumpler class II 2 m.
C#: 51
NGC/IC: IC 1613
Con.: Cet
Type: IG
Starting Pt.: Alrischa
Date: 9/13/2015
Time: 03:08 am AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A long eleven starhop fields to the west of Alrischa, the brightest star in Pic the closest star I can recognize. This is a blocky-looking fuzzy patch that's faint and squareish. No detail and like the other galaxies seen tonight it has no detail. There's a double above and to the left and a really rough line of three stars below and to the right. All my equipment is dripping from the dew and I'm packing up for the night.
C#: 52
NGC/IC: NGC 4697
Con.: Vir
Type: E4G
Starting Pt.: Porrima
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 10:45 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
It was an easy four-FOV hop down and two FOV to the east from Porrima, my double star friend. This galaxy was fairly small with a bright core. It is about twice as long as wide, running from the NE to SW. Not really very impressive.
C#: 53
NGC/IC: NGC 3115
Con.: Sex
Type: E6G
Starting Pt.: Ghost of Jupiter
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 09:38 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I used the finder to move from the previous Ghost of Jupiter up to Mu Hyd and then five fields up and one east to locate the spindle. Cigar-shaped edge-on spiral galaxy that runs from 10 to 2 in the eyepiece. About 1/8 the fov of the 20mm so about 7 arc minutes long. Probably the most impressive so far tonight. It is brighter than most of the galaxies I've seen tonight. Two stars to the right and one to the left remind me of Saggita. Only six other stars in the eyepiece ¦. Poor seeing and transparency. Also seen as part of the H400.
C#: 54
NGC/IC: NGC 2506
Con.: Mon
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Proycon
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 09:59 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Small open cluster of 50 dim stars. good center mostly of equal brightness with some brighter ones thrown in on the sides. Very faint and difficult to see. I get the impression that there are many more stars that I can see. There is a good central concentration almost resembling a glob. There are a few brighter stars, but most are dim. I can see 50 stars. Estimated Trumpler I 1 m. Looks to be 1/10th the fov of the 20mm ep (6 arc min).Also seen as part of the H400.
C#: 55
NGC/IC: NGC 7009
Con.: Aqr
Type: PN
Starting Pt.: Algedi Secunda
Date: 8/12/2015
Time: 12:28 AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 12
Powers: 47x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Long starhop, past m72, used OIII. No moon was in the sky when the object was observed. Disk like, and easy to see even with lower powers. It stands out from the surrounding star field even more so with the OIII. Maybe a trace of bluish color in an oval disk running E-W. An OIII filter did not help in finding or seeing this object. Direct vision does an adequate job in revealing the object and averted vision isn't needed to see this planetary nebula. I may have seen the central star at high magnification, but I'm not sure. In terms of magnification, viewing was best at the highest powers. NGC 7009 is one of the Herschel 400
C#: 56
NGC/IC: NGC 0246
Con.: Cet
Type: PN
Starting Pt.: Deneb Kaitos
Date: 9/13/2015
Time: 02:27 AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Five fields almost straight up from Deneb Kaitos and this faint PN entered the field. Three stars in a line above and to the left with another triangle below and right shows the correct field. No detail at all, just a small fuzzy patch. An OIII filter wasn't any help at all. It seems to be about the same size as the Ring M57
C#: 57
NGC/IC: NGC 6822
Con.: Sgr
Type: IG
Common Name: Barnard's Galaxy
Starting Pt.: Algedi Secunda
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 10:59 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Starting at Algedi Secunda and seven fields to the west and one down Tough to see… I saw something, but I couldn't tell exactly what. It was fairly round and small.
C#: 58.
NGC/IC: NGC 2360
Con.: CMa
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Sirius
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 10:29 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Sirius to Gamma CMa with the finder and then three fields east and one field up. It is a pretty OC with many stars of equal brightness. At least 100 stars with a wide range of brightness and possibly a center. Also seen as part of the H400 and Deep Sky Bino programs. Really big and bright. I 3 r Trumpler. Impressive after the last few OCs. It is about 1/3 the fov of the 20 mm ep
C#: 59
NGC/IC: NGC 3242
Con.: Hya
Type: PN
Starting Pt.: Alphard
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 09:32 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): 6
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12 8
Powers: 47x 75x 125x 188x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
No moon was in the sky when the object was observed. I'm not very good in this part of the sky. I used the finder to get Alpharad down to Mu Hyd and then one field down and one west to locate this PN. It looks like a big, bright, fat, out-of-focus star until you realize that all the rest of the stars in the field are sharp. No interior detail to be seen. An easy-to-see planetary nebula. No real detail is seen even with the 8mm ep. It looks a bit oblong rather than round. Better at higher powers. An OIII filter improved the view but wasn't really needed to find or see the PN. Direct vision does an adequate job in revealing any detail and averted vision isn't necessary to see the object. No central star was visible at any magnification. In terms of magnification, viewing was better at higher powers. NGC 3242 is one of the Herschel 400.
C#: 60
NGC/IC: NGC 4038
Con.: Crv
Type: ScG
Starting Pt.: Gienah Corvi gamma Corvi
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 11:47 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Three fields west of gamma Corvi and this faint pair of merging galaxies pops into view. The same fov as NGC 4027 with the antennae galaxies on the right. Actually two galaxies NGC 4038 & 4039, but it is difficult to tell where one stops and the other starts. I can see that they are both spirals with interesting hooks on the ends. Were they passing through each other?? Also seen as part of the H400. Part of the Northern Arp program.
C#: 61
NGC/IC: NGC 4039
Con.: Crv
Type: ScG
Starting Pt.: gamma Corvi
Date: 3/15/2015
Time: 11:47 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Three fields west of gamma Corvi and this faint pair of merging galaxies pops into view. The same fov as NGC 4027 with the antennae galaxies on the right. Actually two galaxies NGC 4038 & 4039, but it is difficult to tell where one stops and the other starts. I can see that they are both spirals with interesting hooks on the ends. Were they passing through each other?? Also seen as part of the H400. Part of the Northern Arp program.
C#: 62
NGC/IC: NGC 0247
Con.: Cet
Type: SG
Starting Pt.: Deneb Kaitos
Date: 9/13/2015
Time: 02:35 AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A bit more than two fields down and one field east of Deneb Kaitos. This is a fairly good-sized galaxy about 1/6th the fov in the 32mm ep. And found in the middle of a three-star triangle. (check that) It runs north/southish and is more than twice as tall as wide.
C#: 63
NGC/IC: NGC 7293
Con.: Aqr
Type PN
Common Name: Helix Nebula
Starting Pt.: Skat / Deneb Algedi
Date: 6/4/2013 / 8/12/2015
Time: 3:15 AM CDT / 12:33 AM CDT
From: Danville (both)
Seeing (x/10): 7 & 8
Tspy (x/10): 6 & 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12" (both)
Eps (mm): 32 20` (both)
Powers: 47x 75x (both)
Moon?: yes & no
Description/Notes:
Universe Sampler: Observed just before the moon came up. Six fovs west from Skat in Aqr with the 32mm ep. Low in the southeast and difficult to pick up. An oxygen III filter helped. I've seen it with better sky and it was more impressive. This morning it was a dim, small difficult object. Second observation: five fields down and six to the east looking through the OIII filter and the large PN was apparent. A good-sized ring with darkness in the center.
C#: 64
NGC/IC: NGC 2362
Con.: CMa
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: Wezen
Date: 10/12/2015
Time: 03:58 AM CDT Broemmelsiek
From: 7
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): SkyWatcher 12"
Scope: 32 20
Eps (mm): 47x 75x
Powers: no
Moon?:
Description/Notes:
Two fields down and three fields east from Wezen in CMa is this fairly small but pretty open cluster. It is around a fairly bright star (Tau Cma) with about 40 dimmer stars of somewhat equal brightness. The entire cluster is about 1/10 the FOV diameter of my 20mm eyepiece so about 6 arc minutes. Trumpler class II 1 p. It was pretty low in the Southeast when viewed. I like it.
C#: 65
NGC/IC: NGC 0253
Con.: Scl
Type: SG
Common Name: Sculptor Galaxy
Starting Pt.: NGC 247/C62
Date: 9/13/2015
Time: 02:53 AM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A little more than three fields down from C62/NGC 24 and about 25 degrees in altitude when viewed. I've visited the Sculptor Galaxy before as part of the Deep Sky Bino and Herschel 400 Programs. It is a needle more than three times as long as wide, running from NW to SE. It's bright for a galaxy and there are two stars that are superimposed on it. Nice.
C#: 66
NGC/IC: NGC 5694
Con.: Hya
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: Zubenelgenubi
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 11:58 PM CST
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 8
Powers: 47x 75x 188x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Starting at Zubenelgenubi and then finder scope to Brachium in Lybra. From there it is a 4-5 FOV star hop to the east. You know you are getting warm when you pass a field with 4 bright stars (4 Lib, m Hya, 56 Hya, 57 Hya) This glob is in the next field. With the 32mm ep I couldn't tell it was a glob. The 20mm brought out the extended nature, and only with the 8mm could I see the glob's structure. I couldn't estimate the Shapley-Sawyer because it was so small and dim. Definitely one of the hardest globs I've seen and that's more than 70. I'll make sure I add this to my Glob Program list. (NOTE: I checked my GC logs and saw it a year ago from Mark Twain SP.. similar comments about small and difficult... maybe a VI)
C#: 67 Not seen
C#: 68
NGC/IC: NGC 6729
Con.: CrA
Type: BN
Common Name: R CrA Nebula
Starting Pt.: Ascella in Sgr
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 10:10 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Seven fields down from Ascella in Sgr and one field to the west. It is a fairly good-sized featureless fuzzy patch. It could be confused with a gob but since no stars stand out…nebula. There looks to be some other nebulosity in the area.
C#: 69
NGC/IC: NGC 6302
Con.: Sco
Type: PN
Common Name: Bug Nebula
Starting Pt.: mu 1& 2 Sco
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 09:51 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
A little more than three fields east from Mu1& Mu2 Sco and a field up. It is fairly easy to see considering the magnitude and certainly the only fuzzy thing in the eyepiece. I thought that an OIII might help, but only a little, and then only by eliminating the rest of the stars in the ep. Fuzzy...it looks like it runs more east/west than north/south. No detail or color that I could see. Tiny! For some reason, it reminded me of M1.
C#: 70 Not seen
C#: 71 Not seen
C#: 72 Not seen
C#: 73
NGC/IC: NGC 1851
Con.: Col
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: Wazn
Date: 10/12/2015
Time: 04:04 AM CDT Broemmelsiek
From: 7
Seeing (x/10): 6
Tspy (x/10): SkyWatcher 12"
Scope: 32 20
Eps (mm): 47x 75x
Powers: no
Moon?:
Description/Notes:
A pretty long star hop from Wazn...five fields down and seven fields west. Clearly a glob, but only 10 degrees above the SE horizon when seen. It was about 170 degrees in azimuth so it won't get much higher. Through the 20mm eyepiece, it is about 1/5th the diameter of the field so about 10 arc minutes in diameter. Looking through so much atmosphere made seeing individual stars impossible, but my best guess is a Shapley Sawyer VIII.
C#: 74 Not seen
Description/Notes:
C#: 75
NGC/IC: NGC 6124
Con.: Sco
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: mu 1& 2 Sco
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 09:32 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
An easy four field starhop east and three fields down from Mu 1 and Mu2 Sco. This is a pretty open cluster with more than 100 stars of widely varying mags and no center. Fourteen of the stars are brighter than the rest. It occupies more than 1/4 of the diameter of my 32mm eyepiece so it is at least 25 arcseconds in size.. The cluster looks wider east/west than north/south. Pretty little thing, but very low in the south when observed.
C#: 76
NGC/IC: NGC 6231
Con.: Sco
Type: OC
Starting Pt.: NGC 6124
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 09:41 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
This cluster is three fields east of the prior OC, NGC 6124, and it pops out of the eyepiece...really bright but only about 1/2 the size! Eight of the stars are really bright and the cluster just glows. There are about seventy-five stars in the cluster and some are really dim. The cluster looks like it extends north/south but that may be background stars in the area. There isn't a clearly defined center. Very low, impressive!
C#: 77
Con.: Cen
Type: Peculiar Galaxy
Starting Pt.: mu Cen
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 11:40 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I've been flirting with this thing all night long. Over two hours I've star-hopped it four or five times tonight from mu Cen...4 fovs west but I'm just not sure. It's really low in the south, but I think I see something. It is huge but so very dim from all the air mass it has to pass through. I see all the marker stars so I know I'm in the right place. It is possibly 1/4th the diameter of the 20mm ep. Oh so difficult.
NGC/IC: NGC 5128
C#: 78
NGC/IC: NGC 6541
Con.: CrA
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: Sargas in CrA
Date: 8/11/2015
Time: 10:01 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 7
Tspy (x/10): 8
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20 12
Powers: 47x 75x 125x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
Four FOVs east of Sargas in CrA. First time I'd ever heard of and visited this constellation. The globular is fairly large and bright. It looks to be about 1/8th the diameter of the field in my 32mm ep, so maybe about 12 arcsec in diameter. Possibly a Sawyer VI. Most of the stars are in a tight ball. The bright HR 6750 is in the same field.
C#: 79 Not seen
Description/Notes:
C#: 80
NGC/IC: NGC 5139
Con.: Cen
Type: GC
Starting Pt.: southern horizon
Date: 5/11/2015
Time: 10:29 PM CDT
From: Danville
Seeing (x/10): 8
Tspy (x/10): 7
Scope: SkyWatcher 12"
Eps (mm): 32 20
Powers: 47x 75x
Moon?: no
Description/Notes:
I'd seen omega Cen before from Danville before and knew it could be done. SkySafari gave me an idea of when it could be seen tonight so I pointed my scope at the trees in the south and swept back and forth until it popped up in the eyepiece. It is huge, showing at least 1/4th the FOV of the 20mm eyepiece but I know I'm losing a lot because it was so low (less than 5 degrees above the horizon). It is only a bright ball of fuzzy light. I can't make out any stars at all and in fact, I'm not sure that it was even in focus. Dan was impressed.
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