Embedded Files
Steve Boerner
Chesterfield, MO 63017
sboerner@charter.net
Caldwell Silver Certificate #: 223
Requirements:
To qualify for the Imaging – Caldwell Award, you need to image and record your observations for either 70 objects or all 109 objects. A description is required in addition to the image. Any telescope is acceptable.
All objects must be imaged to earn this certification.
a. Date and Time of observations (local time or UT)
b. Latitude and Longitude of observations. The Aperture size of the telescope. Details of imaging equipment used.
e. A description of the Caldwell objects.
Imaging locations:
See the bottom of this page.
Details of imaging equipment used:
Imaging scope Seestar S50 Dwarf II (used for large targets)
Aperture 50 mm 24 mm
Focal ratio f/5 f/4.2
Focal length 250 mm 100 mm
Optical lens Apochromatic triplet four-element one ED glass component
Mount type Alt-azimuth Alt-azimuth
Camera information
Sensor IMX462 IMX 415
Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels 3,840 × 2,160 pixels
Exposure length 10 seconds/image varies up to 15 seconds (15 seconds used)
Gain 80 varies (80 used)
Image scale 2.37 arcsec/pixel 2.98 arcseconds/pixel
Pre crop FOV 1.29º x 0.73º 3.2° × 1.6°
Filter(s) LP & UV/IR cut UHC light-pollution UV/IR cut
Pixel size 2.9 μm 1.45 μm
Binning 1x 1x or 2x (1x used)
Other information for both SeeStar S50 and Dwarf II
Image calibration System software as part of the process
Mount Control Samsung Android tablet running free App
Stacking Mount software
Post-processing GraXpert, Siril v 1.24-1.4, PhotoShop CS2
The vertical pictures below were taken with the SeeStar S50 and the horizontal pictures were taken with the Dwarf II.
What I'd Like to Accomplish
I've been both an imager and a visual observer since last century. I've practiced the ideas behind Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) for over a decade and know that even with exposures less than thirty seconds, you can see more in an image than at the eyepiece on a really big scope. Even with that, it seems like I need to drive for an hour to be able to really "see" things. I'm getting too old to drive all night and schlep the equipment. I need a change.
In the past year, smart telescopes have become the rage. My wife bought me a SeeStar S50 for our anniversary this past June (2024). It is minimal in size, easy to set up and use, and seems almost a foolproof turn-key system. I was astounded to see what a five-minute stack of 10-second exposures could do from my Bortle scale 7-8 front yard. I've decided to use it to capture the Caldwell Objects.
I plan to image the Caldwell Catalog using my SeeStar from locations near my house. The house lacks views between the SE and NW, so I'll need another location to get the entire sky. My first choice is the parking lot of the Sachs Library near the intersection of I64 and Clarkson Rd. A SeeStar's default exposure is 10 seconds with a gain of 80. Targets will be allowed to stack the exposures for at least five minutes, but never more than one-half hour. I'll adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation with the SeeStar and post-process the SeeStar frames with GraXpert and Siril for better results.
SeeStar S50s are far from perfect. They are built to display on a vertical cell phone screen using a sensor that is 1089 (H)x1920 (V) pixels and have a 0.73°x1.29° field of view. The large FOV means many targets will be small in the frame and the low resolution won't be much help in zooming in. Add to that the field rotation that comes from the Alt/Az mount means you won't see many (any?) in the photo section of the Reflector or other Astronomy magazines. Still, what can be captured is much better than what can be seen visually in a much bigger scope like my 12" SkyWatcher Dobsonian, particularly in the light-polluted areas I plan to use.
I should mention that I'm very red/green colorblind. The colors below look good to me, but to people with normal vision, they may be a bit strange. Siril does have photometric color calibration so hopefully color won't be an issue.
Capture and Post-Processing
Most of the images below come from the saved stacked by the SeeStar or Dwarf II fit files. A Dwarf II is used for the larger targets. The images are loaded onto a Win11 laptop via USB3, GraXpert is used to remove gradients, remove noise, and save a stretched file. Siril 1.26 is used for photometric color calibration, to remove green noise, and to stretch with Histogram Transformation and/or Generalized Hyperbolic Stretch Transformation. The AstroBBQ_SharpenMedium script is run followed by saving the resulting image.
Caldwell number: C 1 Count: 1/70
NGC/IC number: 188
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Cep
Magnitude: 8.1
Size: 14 arcminutes
RA: 00 44.4 (H M S)
Dec: +85 20 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/11/2024
Time: 12:18 am CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: This is the most northern of all the Caldwell objects and it is well above the plane of the Milky Way. It is fairly old as open clusters go because the above the plane location means that gravity doesn't cause it to spread apart
rapidly. The image shows many concentrated stars with a wide range of brightness. My estimated Trumpler classification is II 2 r.
Caldwell number: C 2 Count: 2/70
NGC/IC number: 40
Common name:
Object type: PN
Constellation: Cep
Magnitude: 11.6
Size: 0.6 arcminutes
RA: 00 13.0 (H M S)
Dec: +72 32 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 11:33 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: C2 is also known as the bow-tie nebula. It is oblong with the long axis pointing towards the north-northeast. There are two additional pairs of lobes around the poles, which correspond to
additional ejections from the star. Published pictures look more bluish
than my image.
Caldwell number: C3 Count: 3/70
NGC/IC number: 4236
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: Dra
Magnitude: 9.7
Size: 21 x 7 arcminutes
RA: 12 16.7 (H M S)
Dec: +69 28 (D M)
Image data
Date: 5/15/2025
Time: 09:39 PM CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50-eq
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Note: Eq mode 20 second exposure
Description: Caldwell 3 is an example of a barred Magellanic spiral galaxy because it has only one arm. The structure really didn't show up when I did the Visual Caldwell OP where I said it was a "dim blob", but it really shows up well in this image.
Caldwell number: C 4 Count: 4/70
NGC/IC number: 7023
Common name: Reflection Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Cep
Magnitude: 6.8
Size: 18 x 18 arcminutes
RA: 21 01.8 (H M S)
Dec: +68 12 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/10/2024
Time: 10:06 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 15 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: C4 is also called the Iris Nebula. This nebula reflects light from Mira-type variable star T Cephei, and the variable star Beta Cephei (Alfirk). My image shows several dark nebula in the image too. Zooming in shows a fair amount of detail.
Caldwell number: C 5 Count: 5/70
NGC/IC number: IC 342
Common name:
Object type: SBcG
Constellation: Cam
Magnitude: 9.2
Size: 18 x 17 arcminutes
RA: 03 46.8 (H M S)
Dec: +68 06 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/10/2024
Time: 10:50 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 180
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: C5 is also know as the Hidden Galaxy because it is difficult to differentiate it from the background Milky Way. A bit of its spiral structure can be seen in my SeeStar image. I particularly like the straight chains of stars in
the image to the right and below.
Caldwell number: C 6 Count: 6/70
NGC/IC number: 6543
Common name: Cat’s Eye Nebula
Object type: PN
Constellation: Dra
Magnitude: 8.8
Size: 0.3/5.8 arcminutes
RA: 17 58.6 (H M S)
Dec: +66 38 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 08:26 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 61
Total exposure: 10.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: The shape is there, but no detail or color in the image. I tried twice, but the second time looked the same. It is almost as if the image were overexposed.
Caldwell number: C 7 Count: 7/70
NGC/IC number: 2403
Common name:
Object type: ScG
Constellation: Cam
Magnitude: 8.9
Size: 18 x 10 arcminutes
RA: 07 36.9 (H M S)
Dec: +65 36 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 10:31 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: This is a really nice looking bluish spiral galaxy with very prominent dark lanes.
Caldwell number: C 8 Count: 8/70
NGC/IC number: 559
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Cas
Magnitude: 9.5
Size: 4 arcminutes
RA: 01 29.5 (H M S)
Dec: +63 18 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/10/2024
Time: 11:00 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: C 8 is also called Ghost's Goblet as the center of the star cluster is reminiscent of a still photograph of a jeweled goblet that is about to vanish in a ghostly manner. It is I2m on the Trumpler Classification. It is a significantly detached cluster with strong central concentration (I), a moderate range in brightness (2), and is medium-rich in star count (m).
Caldwell number: C 9 Count: 9/70
NGC/IC number: Sh2-155
Common name: Cave Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Cep
Magnitude: 7.7
Size: 50 x 10 arcminutes
RA: 22 56.8 (H M S)
Dec: +62 37 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/10/2024
Time: 11:39 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 150
Total exposure: 25 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: The Cave Nebula has it all. It is a diffuse nebula within a larger nebula complex containing emission, reflection, and dark nebulosity. Apparently, Patrick Moore was the first to coin the name.
Caldwell number: C 10 Count: 10/70
NGC/IC number: 663
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Cas
Magnitude: 7.1
Size: 16 arcminutes
RA: 01 46.0 (H M S)
Dec: +61 15 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/10/2024
Time: 11:47 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: C10 is a Trumpler Classification III2r open cluster. It is detached from the surrounding star field with no noticeable central concentration, has a moderate range of brightness among the stars, and is a fairly rich cluster, often noted as having around 400 stars.
Caldwell number: C 11 Count: 11/70
NGC/IC number: 7635
Common name: Bubble Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Cas
Magnitude: 7
Size: 15 x 8 arcminutes
RA: 23 20.7 (H M S)
Dec: +61 12 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/11/2024
Time: 12:48 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 187
Total exposure: 31.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: The bubble really shows up well in the zoomed image. Considering how underwhelming my description from my visual description on the right was, imaging is the way to see this. There are a number of dark nebula in the area.
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.
Caldwell number: C 12 Count: 12/70
NGC/IC number: 6946
Common name:
Object type: ScG
Constellation: Cep
Magnitude: 9.7
Size: 11 x 9 arcminutes
RA: 20 34.8 (H M S)
Dec: +60 09 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 09:00 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: C12 is also referred to as the Fireworks Galaxy, is a grand design, face-on intermediate spiral galaxy with a small bright nucleus.
Caldwell number: C 13 Count: 13/70
NGC/IC number: 457
Common name: Phi Cas Cluster
Object type: OC
Constellation: Cas
Magnitude: 6.4
Size: 13 arcminutes
RA: 01 19.1 (H M S)
Dec: +58 20 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 11:42 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 33
Total exposure: 5.5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: C13 us aksi known as the Dragonfly Cluster, E.T. Cluster, Owl Cluster, Kachina Doll Cluster or Phi Cassiopeiae Cluster)[2] is an open star cluster in the constellation Cassiopeia.
In this picture, poor E.T. is standing on his head with his legs and feet in the air.
Caldwell number: C 14 Count: 14/70
NGC/IC number: 869/884
Common name: Sword Handle
Object type: OC
Constellation: Per
Magnitude: 4.3
Size: 30 and 30 arcminutes
RA: 02 20.0 (H M S)
Dec: +57 08 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/20/2024
Time: 10:48 pm CDT
Location: Home
Scope: Dwarf II
# frames: 50
Total exposure: 12.5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Pass
Description: The Double Cluster is big enough that it doesn't fit into a SeeStar S50's field of 76.5 x 43 arc minutes. I resorted to a Dwarf II's larger 3.2° × 1.6° field. At the time of imaging, the open clusters were almost directly above/below each other. Neither of the two smart scopes has the ability to rotate so I was stuck with this orientation.
Caldwell number: C 15 Count: 15/70
NGC/IC number: 6826
Common name: Blinking Nebula
Object type: PN
Constellation: Cyg
Magnitude: 9.8
Size: 0.5/2.3 arcminutes
RA: 19 44.8 (H M S)
Dec: +50 31 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 07:30 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 10 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: Not much blinking going on in a single frame still image. Back when I did the Visual Caldwell, my observations said "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."
There are dark nebulae in the field.
Caldwell number: C 16 Count: 16/70
NGC/IC number: 7243
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Lac
Magnitude: 6.4
Size: 21 arcminutes
RA: 22 15.3 (H M S)
Dec: +49 53 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 9:48 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: This large open cluster has many stars of mostly equal brightness. It is well detached from the field. My estimate of Trumpler Classificaiton: III1r
Caldwell number: C 17 Count: 17/70
NGC/IC number: 147
Common name:
Object type: dE4G
Constellation: Cas
Magnitude: 9.3
Size: 13 x 8 arcminutes
RA: 00 33.2 (H M S)
Dec: +48 30 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 11:03 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 122
Total exposure: 20.33 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: Caldwell 17 is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy. Back when I saw it visually with a 12" dob I said, "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." At least with imaging, I'm able to see the rough outline of the galaxy and nucleus.
Caldwell number: C 18 Count: 18/70
NGC/IC number: 185
Common name:
Object type: dE0G
Constellation: Cas
Magnitude: 9.2
Size: 12 x 9 arcminutes
RA: 00 39.0 (H M S)
Dec: +48 20 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 11:01 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 44
Total exposure: 7.33 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: This is just east of C17 (above). With a larger FOV both should be in the same field. 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.
Caldwell number: C 19 Count: 19/70
NGC/IC number: IC 5146
Common name: Cocoon Neb
Object type: BN
Constellation: Cyg
Magnitude: 10
Size: 12 x 12 arcminutes
RA: 21 53.5 (H M S)
Dec: +47 16 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 11:35 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: This colorful target is a combintion reflection and emission nebula surrounded by a dark nebula. It is really impressive
Caldwell number: C 20 Count: 20/70
NGC/IC number: 7000
Common name: North American Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Cyg
Magnitude: 6
Size: 120 x 100 arcminutes
RA: 20 58.8 (H M S)
Dec: +44 20 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/29/2024
Time: 06:33 PM CST
Location: Home
Scope: Dwarf II
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 15 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Note: Eq mode 20 seconds
Description: Once again, a very large target whosethe size exceeds a SeeStar S50. I resorted to a Dwarf II image rather than a SeeStar's mosaic. I really like the contrast between the Hydrogen emission and dark nebula in the image.
Caldwell number: C 21 Count: 21/70
NGC/IC number: 4449
Common name:
Object type: IG
Constellation: CVn
Magnitude: 9.4
Size: 5 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 12 28.2 (H M S)
Dec: +44 06 (D M)
Image data
Date: 5/15/2025
Time: 10:48 PM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50-eq
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Note: Eq mode 20 second exposure
Description: A nice irregular Magellanic galaxy that jumps out from the background. It is so bright that I even made notice of how well it looked when I did the Visual Caldwell Program "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. "
Caldwell number: C 22 Count: 22/70
NGC/IC number: 7662
Common name:
Object type: PN
Constellation: And
Magnitude: 9.2
Size: 0.3/2.2 arcminutes
RA: 23 25.9 (H M S)
Dec: +42 33 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 09:17 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 54
Total exposure: 9 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: C 22 is also known as Blue Snowball Nebula or Snowball Nebula. I think I see a touch of blue color in the image but no detail.
Caldwell number: C 23 Count: 23/70
NGC/IC number: 891
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: And
Magnitude: 9.9
Size: 14 x 2 arcminutes
RA: 02 22.6 (H M S)
Dec: +42 21 (D M)
Image data
Date: 4/8/2025
Time: 8:25 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 180
Total exposure: 0 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: C23 is also known as Silver Sliver Galaxy, or the Outer Limits Galaxy. It is a beautiful needle galaxy that shows a prominent dark lane separating the upper and lower halves.
Caldwell number: C 24 Count: 24/70
NGC/IC number: 1275
Common name: Per A radio source
Object type: Seyfert Gal
Constellation: Per
Magnitude: 11.6
Size: 2.6 x 1 arcminutes
RA: 03 19.8 (H M S)
Dec: +41 31 (D M)
Image data
Date: 4/8/2025
Time: 9:07 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 180
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: Caldwell 24 or Perseus A is a tiny galaxy. A labeled, plate-solved image shows the location along with many other galaxies in the field. It is too small to really see in the visual, but it is one of the brightest radio astronomy sources.
Caldwell number: C 25 Count: 25/70
NGC/IC number: 2419
Common name:
Object type: GC
Constellation: Lyn
Magnitude: 10.4
Size: 4.1 arcminutes
RA: 07 38.1 (H M S)
Dec: +38 53 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 11:24 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 32
Total exposure: 5.33 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: A somewhat dim globular cluster with not much detail or sharpness in the image. It does make an interesting line of three "stars."
Caldwell number: C 26 Count: 26/70
NGC/IC number: 4244
Common name:
Object type: SG
Constellation: CVn
Magnitude: 10.6
Size: 16 x 2.5 arcminutes
RA: 12 17.5 (H M S)
Dec: +37 49 (D M)
Image data
Date: 5/15/2025
Time: 11:57 PM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50-eq
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Note: Eq mode 20 second exposure
Description: C26 is an impressive needle galaxy with a small nucleus in CVn. I'm surprised that it doesn't have a common name.
Caldwell number: C 27 Count: 27/70
NGC/IC number: 6888
Common name: Crescent Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Cyg
Magnitude: 7.5
Size: 20 x 10 arcminutes
RA: 20 12.0 (H M S)
Dec: +38 21 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 8:11 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 121
Total exposure: 20.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: The Crescent Nebula is an emission nebula that shows color. It is lighter and denser towards the lower right and more wispy towards the left.
Caldwell number: C 28 Count: 28/70
NGC/IC number: 752
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: And
Magnitude: 5.7
Size: 50 arcminutes
RA: 01 57.8 (H M S)
Dec: +37 41 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 11:46 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 24
Total exposure: 4 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: C28 is a fairly unimpressive open cluster. Its Trumpler Classification is III 1 m, indicating a loose concentration of stars with a moderate range in brightness and a rich cluster containing about 50-100 stars.
Caldwell number: C 29 Count: 29/70
NGC/IC number: 5005
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: CVn
Magnitude: 9.8
Size: 5.4 x 2 arcminutes
RA: 13 10.9 (H M S)
Dec: +37 03 (D M)
Image data
Date: 5/15/2025
Time: 10:47 PM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50-eq
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Note: Eq mode 20 second exposure
Description: C29 is a spiral galaxy with a large nucleus and a fairly bright disk. There are a few dark lanes in the disk.
Caldwell number: C 30 Count: 30/70
NGC/IC number: 7331
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: Peg
Magnitude: 9.5
Size: 11 x 4 arcminutes
RA: 22 37.1 (H M S)
Dec: +34 25 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/10/2024
Time: 110:11 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: I was surprised to see a second galaxy (NGC 7335) below C30 in the image. I thought I'd look to see what else was in the neighborhood and found all of these. Many can be made out as dots in the image.
Caldwell number: C 31 Count: 31/70
NGC/IC number: IC 405
Common name: Flaming Star Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Aur
Magnitude: 6
Size: 30 x 19 arcminutes
RA: 05 16.2 (H M S)
Dec: +34 16 (D M)
Image data
Date: 11/7/2024
Time: 09:53 pm CST
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: IC 405 is an emission and reflection nebula in the constellation Auriga. To do much better, I'd need to do a very long exposure.
Caldwell number: C 32 Count: 32/70
NGC/IC number: 4631
Common name:
Object type: ScG
Constellation: CVn
Magnitude: 9.3
Size: 15 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 12 42.1 (H M S)
Dec: +32 32 (D M)
Image data
Date: 5/16/2025
Time: 12:47 AM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50-eq
# frames: 90
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Note: Eq mode 20 second exposure
Description: C32 is also known as the Whale Galaxy because the left side looks like the head of a whale and the right side narrows more and looks like the tail. There's detail in the image, but the nucleus isn't well defined. Two for one in this image. NGC 4657 (Hockey Stick and puck) is in the upper left. There is another smaller galaxy (NGC 4627) just below the Whale.
Caldwell number: C 33 Count: 33/70
NGC/IC number: 6992/5
Common name: East Veil Nebula
Object type: SN
Constellation: Cyg
Magnitude: 0
Size: 60 x 8 arcminutes
RA: 20 56.4 (H M S)
Dec: +31 43 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/7/2024
Time: 10:00 PM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: Dwarf II
# frames: 132
Total exposure: 22 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: The Veil is huge, so I had to resort to the Dwarf II's larger field. It did a good job of separating the Eastern Veil from the background. This is a better view than I've ever seen through a large scope or binoculars from a dark site. Considering it was taken from my house with a streetlight 30 feet away...wow!
Caldwell number: C 34 Count: 34/70
NGC/IC number: 6960
Common name: West Veil Nebula
Object type: SN
Constellation: Cyg
Magnitude: 0
Size: 70 x 6 arcminutes
RA: 20 45.7 (H M S)
Dec: +30 43 (D M)
Image data
Date: 10/21/2024
Time: 08:45 PM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: Dwarf II
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 10 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: The Western Veil is huge so I had to resort to the Dwarf II's larger field. It did a good job of separating it from the background. This is a better view than I've ever seen through a large scope or binoculars from a dark site. Considering it was taken from my house with a streetlight 30 feet away...another wow!
Caldwell number: C 35 Count: 35/70
NGC/IC number: 4889
Common name: Brightest in cluster
Object type: E4G
Constellation: Com
Magnitude: 11.4
Size: 3 x 2 arcminutes
RA: 13 00.1 (H M S)
Dec: +27 59 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/23/2025
Time: 11:20 PM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: Considering C35 is a SuperGiant elliptical galaxy, no detail should be present in the bright glow. The image was taken at Danville, so the background sky shows more than from my house.
Caldwell number: C 36 Count: 36/70
NGC/IC number: 4559
Common name:
Object type: ScG
Constellation: Com
Magnitude: 9.8
Size: 10 x 4 arcminutes
RA: 12 36.0 (H M S)
Dec: +27 58 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/23/2025
Time: 10:50 pm CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: There's just a hint of dark lanes in the enlarged image of this spiral galaxy. It almost looks like a fat arrow with the three bright stars as a tip and the darker area at the other end being the notch.
Caldwell number: C 37 Count: 37/70
NGC/IC number: 6885
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Vul
Magnitude: 5.7
Size: 7 arcminutes
RA: 20 12.0 (H M S)
Dec: +26 29 (D M)
Image data
Date: 5/16/2025
Time: 01:11 AM CDT
Location: Home
Scope: SeeStar S50-eq
# frames: 45
Total exposure: 15 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Note: Eq mode 20 second exposure
Description: This is a Trumpler I 3 p open cluster. It has a detached cluster with strong central concentration. The stars have a wide variety of brightness. There are fewer than fifty stars in the cluster.
Caldwell number: C 38 Count: 38/70
NGC/IC number: 4565
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: Com
Magnitude: 9.6
Size: 16 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 12 36.3 (H M S)
Dec: +25 59 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/23/2025
Time: 10:00 PM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: C38 is an impressive edge on, needle, spiral galaxy. It is at least six times longer than wide. You can even see a dust lane that runs across the nucleus. Wow!
Caldwell number: C 39 Count: 39/70
NGC/IC number: 2392
Common name: Eskimo Nebula
Object type: PN
Constellation: Gem
Magnitude: 9.9
Size: 0.2/0.7 arcminutes
RA: 07 29.2 (H M S)
Dec: +20 55 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/9/2025
Time: 09:47 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 31
Total exposure: 5.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: The enlargement is at the maximum zoom possible with Google Sites. You can see the surrounding fuzzy fur, but no eyes, nose, or mouth on the face. Zooming in on my laptop faintly shows a darkening of the eyes.
Caldwell number: C 40 Count:40/70
NGC/IC number: 3626
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: Leo
Magnitude: 10.9
Size: 3 x 2 arcminutes
RA: 11 20.1 (H:min)
Dec: +18 21 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 2/9/2026
Time: 08:37 PM CST
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 157
Total exposure: 26.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Notes:
Description: A fairly small lenticular galaxy, I'm sure Moore had a reason to include it on his list.
Caldwell number: C 41 Count: /70
NGC/IC number: —
Common name: Hyades
Object type: OC
Constellation: Tau
Magnitude: 1
Size: 330 arcminutes
RA: 04 27.0 (H M S)
Dec: +16 00 (D M)
Image data
Date: 4/7/2025
Time: 8:38 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: Dwarf II
# frames: 40
Total exposure: 0 minutes
Filter(s): none
Description: This is a two-frame mosaic from a Dwarf II because the Hyades is so large. Even this doesn't cover the entire open cluster. The FOV is 3.18 x 3.13 deg. Aldebaran is the bright star at the top and Theta1 and Theta2 Tau are the bright double.
North is 306.8 degrees E of N.
Caldwell number: C 42 Count: 42/70
NGC/IC number: 7006
Common name: Very distant globular
Object type: GC
Constellation: Del
Magnitude: 10.6
Size: 2.8 arcminutes
RA: 21 01.5 (H M S)
Dec: +16 11 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/24/2025
Time: 02:50 AM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: A small globular cluster where I cant see much of the interior for a Shapley-Sawyer estimate. My is drawn to three curves of stars above and to the left rather than the GC itself.
Caldwell number: C 43 Count: 43/70
NGC/IC number: 7814
Common name:
Object type: SbG
Constellation: Peg
Magnitude: 10.5
Size: 6 x 2 arcminutes
RA: 00 03.3 (H:min)
Dec: +16 09 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 10/21/2025
Time: 10:20 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: Also known as the Little Sombreo Galexy, this spiral also has a dark lane stretching its length.
Caldwell number: C 44 Count: 44/70
NGC/IC number: 7479
Common name:
Object type: SBbG
Constellation: Peg
Magnitude: 11
Size: 4 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 23 04.9 (H:min)
Dec: +12 19 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 11/13/2025
Time: 07:44 PM CST
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20.00 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: Caldwell 44 is also known as the Superman Galaxy because of the S shape. It is a barred spiral with a small bright nucleus.
Caldwell number: C 45 Count: 45/70
NGC/IC number: 5248
Common name:
Object type: ScG
Constellation: Boo
Magnitude: 10.2
Size: 6 x 4 arcminutes
RA: 13 37.5 (H M S)
Dec: +08 53 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/23/2025
Time: 11:50 PM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: A face on spiral galaxy with a a moderately small nucleus and whispy arms that show a few dark lanes.
Caldwell number: C 46 Count: 46/70
NGC/IC number: 2261
Common name: Hubble’s Variable Neb.
Object type: BN
Constellation: Mon
Magnitude: 10
Size: 2 x 1 arcminutes
RA: 06 39.2 (H M S)
Dec: +08 44 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/9/2025
Time: 09:55 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 32
Total exposure: 5.33 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: I've always liked the distinctive swooped V shape of this bright nebula. There look to be some dark nebula in the field too.
Caldwell number: C 47 Count: 47/70
NGC/IC number: 6934
Common name:
Object type: GC
Constellation: Del
Magnitude: 8.9
Size: 5.9 arcminutes
RA: 20 34.2 (H:min)
Dec: +07 24 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 7/24/2025
Time: 02:20 AM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: I'm a subscriber to Slooh Telescopes. This globular cluster is on the Globular Cluster Observing Program list. This SeeStar image looks better to me than the one I captured with Slooh's Chile Four scope.
Slooh image below
Caldwell number: C 48 Count:48/70
NGC/IC number: 2775
Common name:
Object type: SaG
Constellation: Can
Magnitude: 10.3
Size: 4.5 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 09 10.3 (H:min)
Dec: +07 02 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 2/9/2026
Time: 7:41 PM CST
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 183
Total exposure: 30.5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Notes:
Description: A spiral galaxy with what is called a tail stretching up and to the right, just visible in the enlarged image. The core is distinct and bright. I can't see any detail in the arms.
Caldwell number: C 49 Count: 49/70
NGC/IC number: 2237-9
Common name: Rosette Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: Mon
Magnitude: 0
Size: 80 x 60 arcminutes
RA: 06 32.3 (H M S)
Dec: +05 03 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/10/2013
Time: 08:15 PM CST
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: T2i/Apogee
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): none
Description: Caldwell 49 is the bright nebular portion of the image. There's much detail in the cloud as can be seen in the second picture that even shows Bok globules.
Caldwell number: C 50 Count: 50/70
NGC/IC number: 2244
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Mon
Magnitude: 4.8
Size: 24 arcminutes
RA: 06 32.4 (H M S)
Dec: +04 52 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/10/2013
Time: 08:15 PM CST
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: T2i/Apogee
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 30 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut
Description: Caldwell 50 is the open cluster in the middle and associated with the larger bright nebula. It is a Trumpler II 3 p n open cluster.
It is a detached cluster with little central concentration, has a wide range of star brightness, fewer than 50 stars, and does show nebulosity.
Caldwell number: C 51 Count: 51/70
NGC/IC number: IC 1613
Common name:
Object type: IG
Constellation: Cet
Magnitude: 9
Size: 12 x 11 arcminutes
RA: 01 04.8 (H:min)
Dec: +02 07 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 11/13/2025
Time: 08:26 pm CST
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 181
Total exposure: 30.17 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: This target is just at the limit of visibility from the light polluted sky of Chesterfield. It is fairly large and can be seen in the image between the bright star at the bottom center and a double that is above and to the right.
Caldwell number: C 52 Count: 52/70
NGC/IC number: 4697
Common name:
Object type: E4G
Constellation: Vir
Magnitude: 9.3
Size: 6 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 12 48.6 (H M S)
Dec: -05 48 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/23/2025
Time: 09:30 PM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: An elliptical galaxy about 2x longer than wide. Ellipticals don't show detail, so none here. I do like the star field.
Caldwell number: C 53 Count:53/70
NGC/IC number: 3115
Common name: Spindle Galaxy
Object type: E6G
Constellation: Sex
Magnitude: 9.1
Size: 8 x 3 arcminutes
RA: 10 05.2 (H:min)
Dec: -07 43 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 2/9/2026
Time: 09:31 PM CST
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 187
Total exposure: 31.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Notes:
Description: The AL information says Elliptical while WikiPedia says Lenticular. I'll go with Lenticular since have a bright central bulge and a flattened disk, but they lack the distinct spiral arms of spiral galaxies.
Caldwell number: C 54 Count: 54/70
NGC/IC number: 2506
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Mon
Magnitude: 7.6
Size: 7 arcminutes
RA: 08 00.2 (H M S)
Dec: -10 47 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/9/2025
Time: 09:36 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: This is a Trumpler I2m open cluster. The center is highly concentrated and has a moderate range of brightness in its members. There are between 50 and 100 stars. It looks to be slightly longer on the upper left/lower right diagonal than the other direction.
Caldwell number: C 55 Count: 55/70
NGC/IC number: 7009
Common name: Saturn Nebula
Object type: PN
Constellation: Aqr
Magnitude: 8.3
Size: 2.5/1 arcminutes
RA: 21 04.2 (H M S)
Dec: -11 22 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/24/2025
Time: 01:50 AM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: The maximum enlargement just shows the "ears" on the planetary nebula. The disk seems a bit overexposed to make them visible.
Caldwell number: C 56 Count: 56/70
NGC/IC number: 246
Common name:
Object type: PN
Constellation: Cet
Magnitude: 8
Size: 3.8 arcminutes
RA: 00 47.0 (H:min)
Dec: -11 53 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 10/21/2025
Time: 10:01 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 67
Total exposure: 11.17 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: C56 is sometimes known as the Scull Nebula. The only time I'd see this was when I did the visual Caldwell Program. My view there didn't prepare me for how well it looks in an image. My visual description said "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". As PN go, this is outstanding.
Caldwell number: C 57 Count: 57/70
NGC/IC number: 6822
Common name: Barnard’s Galaxy
Object type: IG
Constellation: Sgr
Magnitude: 9.3
Size: 10 x 9 arcminutes
RA: 19 44.9 (H M S)
Dec: -14 48 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/24/2025
Time: 01:00 AM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: This is a large barred irregular galaxy. I caught an airplane in the image too.
Caldwell number: C 58 Count: 58/70
NGC/IC number: 2360
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: CMa
Magnitude: 7.2
Size: 13 arcminutes
RA: 07 17.8 (H M S)
Dec: -15 37 (D M)
Image data
Date: 03/09/2025
Time: 09:20 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 31
Total exposure: 5.17 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
lter(s):
Description: C58 is also known as Caroline's Cluster. Caroline was William Herschel's sister. She greatly helped him was he was doing his observations. The Trumpler classification is II2m. It is a detached cluster with little central concentration. and a moderate range in brightness of the stars. The cluster contains 50–100 stars.
Caldwell number: C 59 Count: 59/70
NGC/IC number: 3242
Common name: Ghost of Jupiter
Object type: PN
Constellation: Hya
Magnitude: 8.6
Size: 0.3/21 arcminutes
RA: 10 24.8 (H M S)
Dec: -18 38 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/9/2025
Time: 10:03 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 33
Total exposure: 5.5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: It's called the Ghost of Jupiter because the shape and brightness resemble the planet. In the image, the PN is everexposed with no detail showing. I went back and played with it for a while in Siril and was able to bring out some detail showing it as a round outer shell and a brighter elliptical interior. The entire PN was less than 20 pixels high/wide, so small that it wouldn't look much better if I spent ony time on it. What's presented is pretty much out of the box SeeStar.
Caldwell number: C 62 Count: 60/70
NGC/IC number: 247
Common name:
Object type: SG
Constellation: Cet
Magnitude: 8.9
Size: 20 x 7 arcminutes
RA: 00 47.1 (H:min)
Dec: -20 46 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 10/21/2025
Time: 09:47 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 10.0 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Description: Caldwell 62 is commonly known as the Claw Galaxy. It is an intermediate spiral galaxy. There's a dark area in the bottom left.part of the spiral. It has a small, tight nucleolus.
Caldwell number: C 63 Count: 61/70
NGC/IC number: 7293
Common name: Helix Nebula
Object type: PN
Constellation: Aqr
Magnitude: 6.5
Size: 13 arcminutes
RA: 22 29.6 (H M S)
Dec: -20 48 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/24/2025
Time: 03:40 AM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 28 degrees
Description: C63 looked good on my tablet screen when SeeStar imaging so I stopped the exposure at 20 minutes. The image after post-processing on my laptop, not so much. The color can be see but the faint outer parts on the left and right could be stronger. Lots of noise too. Oh well.
One issue about Caldwells is that they are ordered from north to south. At some point the targets get fairly low in the south. C80 is pretty much the limit here in St. Louis and at least one observer I know had to lay on the ground and look up into his eyepiece to be able to see it. From here on out I'll include the altitude of the target when it was imaged. The lower the target, the harder it is to get good data. Images less than 20 degrees are going to be very poor.
Caldwell number: C 64 Count: 62/70
NGC/IC number: 2362
Common name: Tau CMa Cluster
Object type: OC
Constellation: CMa
Magnitude: 4.1
Size: 8 arcminutes
RA: 07 18.8 (H M S)
Dec: -24 57 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/9/2025
Time: 09:22 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 23 degrees
Description: Tau Canis Major shines brightly in the center of this open cluster. The Trumplar classification is I 3 r n. The cluster has a highly concentrated, detached cluster and containing a wide range of star magnitudes. It has more than 100 stars and there is a bit of associated nebulosity.
Caldwell number: C 65 Count: 63/70
NGC/IC number: 253
Common name: Sculptor Galaxy
Object type: SG
Constellation: Scl
Magnitude: 7.1
Size: 25 x 7 arcminutes
RA: 00 47.6 (H:min)
Dec: -25 17 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 10/21/2025
Time: 09:22 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 60
Total exposure: 0 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 23 degrees
Description: Caldwell 65 is also known as the Silver Coin or Silver Dollar Galaxy. It is a spiral galaxy with a small bright nucleus, a bright central bulge and arms that show clumps of light
Caldwell number: C 67 Count:64/70
NGC/IC number: 1097
Common name:
Object type: SBbG
Constellation: For
Magnitude: 9.2
Size: 9 x 6 arcminutes
RA: 02 46.3 (H:min)
Dec: -30 17 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 1/21/2026
Time: 06:33 PM CST
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 121
Total exposure: 20.167 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 20 degrees
Description: Caldwell 67 is a barred spiral galaxy. My image doesn't show the highly curved arms at all. The nucleus is bright.
Caldwell number: C 68 Count: 65/70
NGC/IC number: 6729
Common name: R CrA Nebula
Object type: BN
Constellation: CrA
Magnitude: 9.7
Size: 1 arcminutes
RA: 19 01.9 (H M S)
Dec: -36 57 (D M)
Image data
Date: 7/24/2025
Time: 12:20 AM CDT
Location: Danville
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 120
Total exposure: 20 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 12 degrees
Description: Lots going on in this image. The target NGC 6729 is the small double star-like patch to the left of the center. NGC 6726 is the larger, brighter nebusloity above it. HR 7170 is the bright area (double star) below and to the right.
Caldwell number: C 69 Count: 66/70
NGC/IC number: 6302
Common name: Bug Nebula
Object type: PN
Constellation: Sco
Magnitude: 12.8
Size: 0.8 arcminutes
RA: 17 13.7 (H:min)
Dec: -37 06 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 8/6/2025
Time: 09:56 CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 19 degrees
Description: C69 is also known as the Butterfly Nebula. It is a bipolar planetary nebula with the lobes looking like wings. The close-up is at maximum zoom, so this is as good as it gets.
Caldwell number: C 70 Count: 67/70
NGC/IC number: 300
Common name:
Object type: SdG
Constellation: Scl
Magnitude: 8.1
Size: 20 x 13 arcminutes
RA: 00 54.9 (H:min)
Dec: 37 41 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 11/13/2025
Time: 09:05 PM CST
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 115
Total exposure: 19.17 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 13 degrees
Description: Only 13 degrees above the horizon when imaged and you can only see the very faintest patch. It was 17 degrees out and I was cold. Too cold for a longer exposure.
Caldwell number: C 71 Count: 68/70
NGC/IC number: 2477
Common name:
Object type: OC
Constellation: Pup
Magnitude: 5.8
Size: 27 arcminutes
RA: 07 52.3 (H M S)
Dec: -38 33 (D M)
Image data
Date: 3/9/2025
Time: 09:28 PM CDT
Location: Sachs Library
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 30
Total exposure: 5 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 9 degrees
Description: C71 is also known as the Termite Hole Cluster (don’t you love some of these names?) It is a Trumpler II3r open cluster. It is a detached cluster with little central concentration and a moderate-to-large range of brightness. It has more than 100 stars. It looks like a loose globular cluster.
Caldwell number: C 72 Count: 69/70
NGC/IC number: 55
Common name: Brightest in Scl Cluster
Object type: SBG
Constellation: Scl
Magnitude: 8.2
Size: 32 x 6 arcminutes
RA: 00 14.9 (H:min)
Dec: -39 11 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 10/21/2025
Time: 09:02 PM CDT
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 89
Total exposure: 14.83 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 10 degrees
Description: C72 is also known as the String of Pearls Galaxy. It is a somewhat edge on spiral with a tiny core and arms that reach out more than five times the galaxy's width. THere's a tiny nucleus and some internal structure.
cCaldwell number: C 73 Count:70/70
NGC/IC number: 1851
Common name:
Object type: GC
Constellation: Col
Magnitude: 7.3
Size: 11 arcminutes
RA: 05 14.1 (H:min)
Dec: -40 03 (Deg:min)
Image data
Date: 2/9/2026
Time: 09:31 PM CST
Location: Brommelsiek
Scope: SeeStar S50
# frames: 65
Total exposure: 10.83 minutes
Filter(s): IR Cut & LP
Altitude: 5 degrees
Description: C73 is an impressive globular cluster that I'm not sure I've ever seen before. The center is very concentrated and as a result, the Shapley-Sawyer value should be less than III. For as low as it was then imaged, I'm surprised it looks so good.
Imaging Locations:
Home - 33 targets
(38.631, -90.552)
No views to the SE to W because of tall trees in the back yard. I have to go elsewhere for the many southern views needed for the Caldwell List.
Typical south facing sky from Home and Sachs Library.
The yellow star on the DarkSky Finder map is Home. The blue star is Chesterfield Mall and Sachs Library.
Sachs Library - 15 targets
Sachs Library Lot at #3 in the picture on the right. It does have a good view (with light pollution) to the south.
Sacks Library
(38.652, -90.566)
My original plan was to image at the abandoned Chesterfield Mall about five minutes from my house (#1 & #2 in the picture). I imaged many Messier targets there but was asked to move because of liability. I moved to the street by Sachs library (#3) for the Caldwell targets.
Brommelsiek Park - 12 targets
(38.723, -90.815)
Brommelsiek Park is about a 25-minute drive from my house. On a good night, the Milky Way can be seen. The Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri uses the Park for weekly Friday Night Outreach.
Brommelsiek is on the left edge of the map to the right, and Sachs Library is in the lower right-hand corner.
Danville CA -10 targets
(38.868, -91.514)
Danville Conservation Area is the most frequently used dark sky site by St. Louis astronomers. It is a 70 mile drive from the house.
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