Aurora Borealis
1st Quarter Moon

Observation #1:
Location: Stargaze Nova Scotia, near McGrath's Cove Road, Halifax
Date: 2024-10-10
Time: 6:55 PM – 10:10 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, iPhone 13 Pro Max
Seeing: not recorded
Transparency: not recorded

We drove to Stargaze Nova Scotia and were joined by its proprietor, John Read, as well as Blair MacDonald and 3 other of John's friends; others arrived throughout the evening. He took us along a path that one of his students had made over the summer to a high point overlooking a small lake. En route there were several 360° views of the horizon. Absolutely incredible.

The 'show' began a little after 7:30 PM with faint glimpses of colour to the naked eye; pictures confirmed it had started. A bull frog's croak seems to confirm that was so.

At 8:14 PM, I texted our daughters: "If you aren’t outside, looking up, do so right now. The Aurora are absolutely incredible!!!" We had to laugh at the response: "Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens (graveyard) was the place to be! We were just approaching it as Mom texted to look up. Worked out perfect coming home from a school event! It was the boys first time seeing the northern lights, and my first time being in a packed graveyard at night lol"

Over the next two hours at Stargaze Nova Scotia, we had an indescribable show of the Aurora! The aurora's corona was indescribably beautiful with its full range of colour visible to the eye - red, yellow, greens, blues and violet. Not only did the 4 of us at our location on site exclaim "oh, wow!" at various times when the aurora was at its fullest, but you could also hear John and Blair closer to the ARO and some children at a nearby cottage. 

The wind on the ridge was cool for a period of time but once the wind died down, it was comfortable enough to go without winter mitts. Jerry had 2 cameras taking time-lapse and I had my iPhone in a tripod holder (sometimes) or handheld (most times). It was difficult determining in which direction to look! West? East? North? Straight up? Even the Halifax light dome did not diminish the aurora's intensity. 

One view that I just loved was looking towards the Moon to see the clouds illuminated so brightly and the aurora's edge seemingly attempting to catch up to it. The image of the Moon was blown because it was so bright compared to all else in the sky. Many other images were captured but do not do justice to what we actually saw. Jerry produced a video of his time-lapse captures via camera and his iPhone 15 Pro Max - https://vimeo.com/1018703128.

Observation #2:
Location: Home
Date: 2024-10-10/11
Time: 11:00 PM – 12:10 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, iPhone 13 Pro Max
Seeing: not recorded
Transparency: not recorded

We knew there was to be a second show of the aurora and we were far from disappointed when we reached home. Again a 180° view of the aurora but this time it did not extend over our heads as it had at Stargaze Nova Scotia earlier in the evening. So disappointing when it faded to almost nothing just after midnight.

The two photos below were taken at 11:04 PM ADT.

Details

Created: 10 October 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 62

• General Observing Session

Stars: Alioth (ε Ursae Majoris), Alkaid (η Ursae Majoris), Alnasl (γ Sagittarii), Altair, Al Niyat (τ Scorpii), Al Niyat (σ Scorpii), Antares (α Scorpii), ψ Aqr, ψ¹ Aqr, ψ² Aqr, ψ³ Aqr, ω¹ Aqr, ω² Aqr, 104 Aqr, b1 Aqr, b2 Aqr, c2 Aqr, Tau² Aqr, Arcturus (α Boötis), Ascellla (ζ Sagittarii), Cebalrai (β Oph), ε CrA, γ CrA, α CrA (Alphekka Meridiana), β CrA, δ CrA, λ CrA, ζ CrA, Deneb, Dschubba, Graffias,Fomalhaut (α Piscis Austrini), Hecatebolus (τ Sagittarii), Hydor, Kaus Australis (ε Sagittarii), Kaus Borealis (λ Sagittarii), Kaus Medii (δ Sagittarii), Mizar (ζ Ursae Majoris)-Alcor, Nanto (φ Sagittarii), Nunki (σ Sagittarii), 30 Oph, Skat, Vega, V686 CrA, V2314 Oph, V2323 Oph, V2386 Oph.
HR Stars: 6248, 6670
HD Stars: 150935, 150859, 151091, 151258, 152484, 152555, 152600, 153240, 153437, 152210, 161184, 161185, 161242, 161480, 161542, 161622, 161867
Asterisms: Coathanger/Brocchi’s Cluster/Cr 399, DAVe, Keystone of Hercules, Taurus Poniatovskii, Teapot
Constellations: Ophiuchus, Pisces Austrinus
Nebula: Dark Horse Nebula, Pipe Nebula
Index Catalogue (IC): 4665
Planets: Saturn
Moon
Located, but not Observed: Aquila, Capricornus, Cygnus, Delphinus, M4, Sagitta, Serpens Caput, Serpens Cauda
Messier Objects: M6 (Ptolemy's Cluster), M7 (Butterfly Cluster), M10, M11 (Wild Duck Cluster / NGC 6705), M12, M13 (Hercules Cluster)

Location: Site 15, Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site
Date: 2024-10-03
Time: 6:40 PM – 11:30 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
Seeing: Very Good (2)
Transparency: Good (3)

After a cloudy night we woke to sunshine and calm waters. A Fox Sparrow greeted us, even came within 6' and stared at me before deciding it wasn't safe to get closer so dashed away. The squirrels carried on as per usual with their shenanigans.

Following a scrambled egg with bacon, toast, coffee, and strawberry-banana-with-yoghurt breakfast, we decided to go for a paddle on the calm Kejimkujik Lake waters. We left our site and headed south towards a small unnamed island adjacent to The Sisters before heading back north between Big Muise and Little Muise Island. It was here that I named a large glacial erratic as the Space Shuttle because it reminded me of the shuttle's nosecone. While paddling, we reminisced about the October 4-6, 2021 Star Party we enjoyed with the Chapmans - similar calm waters and such clear skies.

Following our corned beef on rye sandwich lunch, we moved on to our next adventure - a swim in the not-so-warm Kejimkujik Lake! Did I mention it was COLD!! Too cold for me to go for a swim (which isn't like me not to go for a swim). Thankfully, after quickly getting wet, it was back to the beach to let our bodies warm up in the afternoon Sun. Even had some time for reading before dinner. While Jerry walked to the north point to determine the best location to view the sunset, I witnessed a Bald Eagle fly in a circle twice in front of me before diving to catch a fish. Wow. First time I have ever seen an Eagle here.

At 6:40 PM, we walked north on the stone beach to the island's point so that we could witness the sunset. Hoped to also see Mercury and the waxing Crescent Moon as the Sun set but clouds on the horizon prevented seeing either one. I took photos and Jerry took video. Beautiful colours. As the skies darkened, Arcturus became visible.  Loons provided a brief serenade to our south at 6:48 PM. Shortly after, we headed back to the campsite for an evening under the stars. There was a threat of smoke that would affect the transparency later in the evening. Fingers crossed it wouldn't be significant.

Towards the north, the three stars of the Dipper handle (Alioth, Mizar and its less bright partner Alcor), Alkaid) were visible above the tree line. Above our heads, the bright stars forming the asterism DAVe (Deneb, Altair, Vega) shone brightly. 

The 8 stars in the Teapot asterism were visible, including Kaus Media that wasn't seen last evening. And there was Corona Australis (CrA) south of it! With pencil and sketch pad, I began sketching the constellation's arc - ε CrA and two adjacent stars, γ CrA, α CrA (Alphekka Meridiana), β CrA, δ CrA and ζ CrA. I could also see V686 CrA and λ CrA that, according to the charts, were not part of the Corona.  Three stars in the southern portion of the constellation were clouded over - θ CrA that was part of the Corona along with those that were not (V681, η1, and η2). One goal of the trip reached!

While the Teapot was above the horizon, I followed the line out from Ascella to Kaus Australis to look for M7 (Ptolemy's Cluster) and the smaller M6 (Butterfly Cluster). It took a while to locate them because of the slight haze but they were both found. M7 is still one of my favourite open clusters. So beautiful.  Red Antares was located in Scorpius, as were Al Niyat (τ Scorpii), Al Niyat (σ Scorpii), Dschubba and Graffias. It wasn't dark enough yet to see M4 even though Scorpius was just high enough above the trees to locate it; the remainder of the claws and the body were hidden in the trees. By the time it was dark enough, M4 was below the tree line.

I knew I could not observe the structure of M10 and M12 with binoculars but decided to sketch the starfield around them. What was interesting was the rectangle of stars seen northeast of M12 that I could not identify in SkySafariPro; they were so evident in the binoculars but not so in the app. But there was a group of four stars to the west that formed an elongated "T" that I could identify. Two stars between them - HD152210 and HR 6248 - were angled.

I stared at Ophiuchus for a bit afterwards at the area above Cebalrai (β Oph). The cluster above the eastern shoulder had caught my eye earlier in the evening. First, I visually confirmed it was Ophiuchus and that the line of stars angled towards the east were those of Serpens Cauda.  After a few attempts to find Cebalrai with my binoculars, I found it then saw several stars above it; no nebulosity was seen around them. There appeared to be three rows of stars - one pair seemingly parallel to each other and the third angled away from it.  HR6670 was almost as bright as Cebalrai! SkySafariPro identified the cluster as IC 4665 / Collinder 349 / Melotte 179. I found it interesting that the cluster was so clearly visible between Ophiuchus and Serpens Cauda. Once home and confirming the ID of stars in its centre, I came to realize that what I was looking at was the now defunct constellation Taurus Poniatovii (Poniatowki's Bull). Dave Chapman had pointed me to this "little bull" in 2022 and here I am "rediscovering" it two years later! So exciting! Cosmicpursuits.com described it: "[The inner stars] form the pattern of the word “HI”, like a big friendly cosmic greeting."

Looking westward, I followed the zigzag line of stars forming Serpens Caput (the head of the snake). Looking further north almost to the zenith was the Keystone of Hercules. I used binoculars to find M13 and was it ever bright! When Jerry found it, he thought it was another star!

At one point, Jerry was trying to locate and capture the Dark Horse Nebula. It was lower in the sky at that point and not as dark as we usually see it. I informed him it was comprised of many elements - the Pipe Nebula (bowl of the pipe forming the horse's hip and the stem serving as a rear leg), plus many Barnard's Nebulae (Barnard 63 forming its bent front leg with the head and torso formed by 67a, 72, 75, 261, 262, 266, 269 and 396.) Who knew we were looking at numerous dark nebulae all these years?

While examining the Milky Way, I recognized the Scutum Star Cloud, so easily located M11 / Wild Duck Cluster / NGC 6705 in my binoculars. I showed Jerry where to look and to imagine a golf club head adjacent to a fuzzy golf ball.  We then began looking eastward once more. Fomalhaut (α Pisces Austrini) had just come past the trees of the south shore of our island. The other stars in Pisces Austrinus were also visible above the horizon but I did not specifically identify them.  Above Pisces Austrinus was a very bright entity - Saturn. In binoculars, it was an ellipsis only; the magnification of 10x42 Binoculars didn't allow for much else. SkySafariPro showed the planet was in Aquarius. This prompted me to identify and sketch the stars surrounding the planet.

It was at this point that I looked for the asterism DAVe again. Visually going up 1/3 of the way between Altair and Vega, I stared at a point and when I put up my binoculars there was the Coathanger / Brocchi's Cluster / Cr 399. It was now 11:30 PM and the haziness/murk at the horizon was increasing as were the threat of clouds in the west. Bedtime.

We woke up at 7:30 AM to welcome another beautiful sunny day with mirror-like waters. After breakfast, we packed up and headed once more out onto the Lake. It was such a beautiful day that we decided to do some leisurely touring. We paddled past the group campsite on Ritchie Island to head south towards the eastern isthmus of Little Muise Island to determine if there was a suitable place that faced south for astronomy equipment, then turned to head north again. At the north point of Ritchie Island, we were curious about a small structure we saw; we paddled to it to discover it was an inuksuk. This was not appropriate for this Park (it was reported before we left the Park). Headed north to the Mersey River to unload the canoe, loaded the car, and headed home.

Details

Created: 03 October 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 43

• General Observing Session

Stars: Alioth, Alkaid, Alnasl, Arcturus, Fomalhaut, Hecatebolus, Kaus Australis, Kaus Borealis, Mizar-Alcor, Nanto, Nunki, Prima Giedi (α¹ Capricorni), Sabik, Secondi Giedi (α² Capricorni), ξ Serpentis
Asterisms: Coathanger, DAVe, Teapot
Constellations: Aquila, Capricornus, Cygnus, Delphinus, Ophiuchus, Pisces Austrinus, Sagitta, Serpens Cauda
Planets: Saturn
Messier Objects: M22, M9 (maybe?)
Located, but not Observed: Aquarius, Cetus, Keystone of Hercules, M13

Location: Site 15, Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site Date: 2024-10-02 Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM ADT Equipment: Visual, Binoculars Seeing: Good (3) Transparency: Good (3)

We left home 30 minutes later than planned. All was well despite an accident on Hwy 103 that detoured us onto Exit 7 through Chester then back to the 103 via Exit 9. We checked in at the Visitor Centre and when heading down to Jake's Landing I remembered we did not pack the eyepieces. Consequently, we left the telescope gear and the Messier Catalogue forms I had brought in the car. What a letdown! A binocular observing trip it will be - back to basic astronomy and getting visually reacquainted with the dark skies.

The upside? It was the amazing sunny day, only a few clouds scattered across the immense blue sky, and no wind. The only waves were those created by our canoe and paddles. We had experienced this only once before - 2 years ago with the Chapmans. It also meant some beach time, leisurely reading and just enjoying nature. A couple from the UK was having lunch on the beach when we arrived around 1:30 PM. Had a nice chat with them while we enjoyed our lunch. Set up camp and enjoyed some time on the waterfront. I napped in the warm tent before dinner.

Wildlife in the area kept us entertained throughout the day. 

• Six Mergansers entered our island's bay in mid-afternoon, swam past us then turned to head to the opposite side of Minard Island.
• Four Common Loons swam past; the lead Loon repeated a single "peep" at regular intervals; they did not, however, honour us with their long mournful calls then nor during the night.
• At least two Fox Sparrows zoomed across the forest floor looking for edibles. Only once did I see one fly up to a tree branch.
• Three Red Squirrels! Perhaps youngsters. We laughed as they raced across our site. One very cautiously approached us in spurts to realize within 6' of us it wasn't a good idea to do so. Hilarious watching two or all three chase each other all over the campsite, and then call out seemingly angrily at each there from different vantage points. They did not make for a totally quiet campsite. 

It was an evening of intermittent cloud. We knew that would happen so determined this was to be an evening sitting by the fire. Dinner was planned accordingly - hotdogs roasted on the fire! So good! A glass of wine to enjoy with our meal.

Out on the beach afterwards, we did enjoy clear skies a couple of times. I was very tired, a little frustrated at my forgetfulness (having left the eyepieces at home) and generally was not enthusiastic about being under the stars - despite the beauty above us. I did not note times nor did I sketch.

One of my astronomy goals for the trip (besides the Messier objects) was to locate and sketch the stars in Corona Australis. Unfortunately, the clouds only allowed me to see a few stars in its curve and the horizon was a bit murky. Even the dimmer Kaus Media in the Teapot could not be seen, despite all the others being not so bright but perfectly identifiable. What I did find was M22 using binoculars; Kaus Borealis, the adjacent 3-star Y-shape and M22 itself easily filled my binocular FOV.

Capricornus was high, front and centre in the southern skies. With binoculars, could easily find and identify Deneb Alegiedi on its upper east side. The visual double of Prima Giedi (α¹ Capricorni) and the brighter Secondi Giedi (α² Capricorni) was found in the west side with binoculars. Other stars forming what I refer to as the clown's smile were readily identified as well.

Three stars (Deneb in Cygnus, Altair in Aquila and Vega in Lyra) comprising the asterism DAVe were visible earlier in the evening; consequently, it was easier later in the evening to find the 5 stars of Delphinus and the 4 stars of Sagitta. Jerry found the Coathanger asterism so I followed suit. 

Ophiuchus was high above Minard Island, its arced base very evident. M9 had alluded me at SCO in September so I attempted to find it here with Sabik (η Ophiuchi) in Ophiuchus and ξ Serpentis in Serpens Cauda easily seen. I think I found a small grey fuzzy when triangulating from these two stars with binoculars - but not certain.

By the time I turned to look northward, only the three/four Big Dipper stars were visible above our island's tree line. The double Mizar and Alcor were readily found with binoculars.

Facing south again, a bright entity caught our eyes - Saturn. Could make out a slight elliptical shape in the binoculars. In SkySafariPro, I noted that it was in Aquarius and confirmed the shape of the part of the constellation in which it was located but did not take time to note the star names. Nearby was Fomalhaut and I recognized its fellow stars comprising Pisces Austrinus. Above and a bit more east above the tree line came the tail stars of Cetus; our island's trees hid Mira and the constellation's structure above it.

Tiredness had set in so after a brief period in front of the fire with Jerry, I called it a night at 10:30 PM. He stayed up a bit later to monitor his time lapse session. 

Woke up to a clear sky, no wind, and a mirror-like lake for the second day. Clouds to the southeast of us. For details of our second day at the site, refer to General Session - October 3-4, 2024 (Site 15, Kejimkujik National Park).

Details

Created: 02 October 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 89

• General Observing Session

Observation 1:
Location: Home
Date: 2022-07-22
Time: 11:37 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 56
Instrument: EVOSTAR 80ED, 15 mm Antares Plössl with star diagonal
Magnification: x40
Transparency: Very Good (4)
Seeing: Very Good (4)
SQM: 19.57
Temperature: 19º C

Learning to slew this new-to-me telescope to the object, and thankfully Ophiuchus remained high in the sky for this session. I have viewed M10 numerous times with 10x42 IS binoculars so knew generally where to look along the line (1/3 of the way up) from Sabik to κ Oph. 

It was a very faint roundish object. I could not see any individual or bright grouping of stars within the cluster.

Constellation:  Ophiuchus Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 6.6 Distance: 14.4 kly Size: 15.1'

Observation 2:
Location: SCO
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 9:54 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 56
Instrument: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom (I used 30 mm) + 25 mm eyepiece
Magnification: x83 + x100
Seeing: Very Good (2)
Transparency: Very Good (2)

I wanted to view this cluster in Ophiuchus with larger magnification and did so this evening. I could actually make out some of the stars in its nebulosity with eh 25mm eyepiece (100x magnification). It had a bright core but was seemingly diffuse. There was one bright star north of it then several on the opposite side of the object. 

Constellation:  Ophiuchus Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 6.6 Distance: 14.4 kly Size: 15.1'

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 09 October 2024

Hits: 704

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Asterisms: Teapot
Constellations: Capricornus
Messier Objects: M32, M69, M73, M75, M110
Located, but not Observed: M12, M33

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepieces: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom eyepiece (used 30mm)
Magnification: x83 
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Very Good to Excellent (1)

We had an early arrival at the Observatory to set up and for Jerry to take a video of one of the Centre's scopes. Michael joined us around 8 PM. It was at 8:30 that we heard the owl hoot west of us. The peeping frog started up shortly thereafter in the south and serenaded us throughout the observing session with his owl friend interjecting occasionally. Heard one coyote howl north of us.

Because of what was on the southern horizon, I decided to focus on Messier objects around the Teapot and Capricornus. I had hoped to sketch the stars of Corona Austrinus but by the time we had set up it had partially disappeared in the horizon. First success? M75.

M75 / NGC 6864
Time: 8:48 PM ADT
M75 had a relatively bright core and was partially resolved at its edges; I could not discern any individual stars of the object. Its rim did appear to be quite wide. Interestingly, the stars south of the object were easily detected but couldn't see anything north of it. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M075 / NGC 6864.

M73 / NGC 6994 Cr 426
Time: 9:12 PM ADT
I had to wonder why Messier included this 4-star asterism. It appears that he saw a nebulosity around these stars that no has seen; the explanation given was the transparency and/or seeing may not have been perfect and therefore gave the illusion it was nebulous. I did not notice a colour difference but did notice a difference on their brightness. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M073 / NGC 6994 / Cr 426.

M69
Time: 9:28 PM ADT
I used Kaus Australis (star in the base of the Teapot asterism) from which to slew and find this object. There was enough time between cloudy sessions to sketch the object and the very bright star adjacent to it. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M069 / NGC 6637 - September 29, 2024.

M10 / NGC 6254 - Repeated
Time: 9:54 PM ADT
M10 was much larger in this scope and I could see more stars and had a better view of its nebulosity. It had a brighter core but its seemed diffuse rather than really dense. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M010 (NGC 6405) - July 2022 & September 2024.

M12
Time: 10:03 PM ADT
I wanted to find this with a larger magnification just as I had with M10. However, could not do so due to clouds intervening. 

M32 / NGC 221, M110
Time: 10:03 PM ADT
These three were not in one FOV, but 2 of 3 isn't bad. M32 appeared as a bright str in the outer nebulosity of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. Had to slew a bit to find M110 which appeared a smudge below M31. For more details re M32, refer to Messier Catalogue - M032 / NGC 221 - September 29, 2024. For more details re M110, refer to Messier Catalogue - M110 / NGC 205 - September 29, 2024.

M33 / Triangulum Galaxy
Time: 10:03 PM ADT
All evening when looking at this section of sky, the constellation Triangulum was easily identified. But, as the sky gods would have it when going to observe the galaxy nearby, they sent clouds in to obscure the whole area.

Packed up and left SCO at 11:00 PM. The clouds dictated a very early end to the evening.

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 24

• Messier Object

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 8:48 PM ADT
S&T Reference: 66
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepieces: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom eyepiece (used 30mm)
Magnification: x83 
Seeing: Excellent (1)
Transparency: Good (3)

There were intermittent periods of cloud cover so had to be patient for this area of sky to clear.

M75 is located west of Capricornus. It had a relatively bight core with a wide diffuse border, but I could not discern any individual stars of the object. 

There were stars south of it that were easily detected but I could not 'see' any stars north of it. Upon finishing this sketch, the clouds arrived.

Constellation:  Sagittarius Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 8.5 Distance: 59 kly Radius: 6.0 '

There was one more clear session but when the clouds rolled in again, we packed and went home.

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 31

• Messier Catalogue

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 9:12 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 66, 77
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepieces: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom eyepiece (used 30mm)
Magnification: x83 
Seeing: Excellent (1)
Transparency: Good (3)

This session began earlier in the evening but clouds broke the observing session into segments. In this case, cloud interference meant I could not sketch the star field.

I found these four stars above θ Capricornus and nearer to ν Aquarii; it was west of M72 (that I could not find during this session). I was a little surprised they were included in the Messier list. With so few stars visible, it did not appear as one of Messier's 'traditional' clusters. There was no nebulosity around them and no other discernible stars. I did not have time to notice a colour difference before the clouds came in but did not there was a slight difference in their magnitude.

Constellation:  Aquarius Type: Open Cluster / Asterism Apparent Magnitude: 8.9 Mean Distance: 2.0 kly

Some background on M73:

M73 was discovered by Charles Messier on the night of October 4/5, 1780. In his notes he wrote: “Cluster of three or four small stars, which resembles a nebula at first sight, containing a little nebulosity: this cluster is situated on the same parallel as the preceding nebula: its position was determined from the same star Nu Aquarii.”

Although many shake their heads at Messier’s log of four stars, other historical astronomers continue to follow suit and observe it. On September 28, 1783, Sir William Herschel notes: “Consists of a few stars arranged in triangular form. No nebulosity among them.” Later, his son John would catalog this same “nothing” group as GC 4617, noting that they were a “Cluster ??; extremely poor; very little compressed; no nebulosity.” If that were not enough, even Emil Dreyer would catalog them as NGC 6994!

In 2000-2002 several astronomers conducted an analysis of the colours and luminosity of stars in and around M73, and concluded it was an open cluster as seen in a Hertsprung-Russell Diagram. The controversy was resolved in 2002, when M. Odenkirchen and C. Soubiran published an analysis of the high resolution spectra of the six brightest stars within 6 ′ of the centre point. They demonstrated that the distances from the Earth to the six stars were very different from each other, and the stars were moving in different directions. Therefore, they concluded that the stars were only an asterism.

In my observation, I noted a slight difference in the stars' magnitudes. Online, I learned they had apparent magnitudes of 10.48, 11.32, 11.90 and 11.94 (according to GAIA EDR3).

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 24

• Messier Catalogue

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 10:20 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 3, 72
Instrument: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom (I used 30 mm)
Magnification: x83
Seeing: Excellent (1)
Transparency: Good (3)
SQM: 21.14
Temperature: 10º C

Having found the Andromeda Galaxy numerous times in the past - visually, binocular and telescope - it was not a challenge to find it again. I had the scope go to Mirach then slewed 'upwards' to M31. I found what I thought was a bright star in an outer edge that was quite nebulous. I had two others at SCO confirm that what I was seeing was indeed M32.

Compared to the Andromeda Galaxy, this satellite galaxy of Andromeda was minuscule in size but it was quite bright compared to the nebulosity surrounding it. No other details within th galaxy other than its brightness could be discerned.

Constellation:  Andromeda Type: Dwarf early-type Elliptical Galaxy (G-E5 peculiar) Magnitude: 8.1 Distance: 2,900 kly Radius: 110.0' x 7.0'

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 30

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 10:20 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 3, 72
Instrument: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom (I used 30 mm)
Magnification: x83
Seeing: Fair (4)
Transparency: Good (3)
SQM: 21.14
Temperature: 10º C

Discovered this when observing M31 and M32. Initially I was looking for a mini-M31 but then realized the smudge below it in my FOV was in fact M110.

It was fairly bright for a smudge, and was quite small and at a different angle when compared to M31. I believe it was an oval shape (or maybe it was my eye wanting to believe it).

Constellation:  Andromeda Type: Elliptical Galaxy (G-E3 peculiar) Magnitude: 8.1 Distance: 2900 kly Size: 20.0' x 12.0'

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 11 October 2024

Hits: 30

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-29
Time: 9:28 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 66, 69
Instrument: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom (I used 30 mm)
Magnification: x83
Seeing: Excellent (1)
Transparency: Very Good (2)
SQM: 21.14
Temperature: 10º C

Jerry helped me realign the scope, hoping it would track better. It did.

Skies were perfectly clear when we arrived, clouded for a brief period, and then located M69 when it cleared.

I used Kaus Australis (star in the base of the Teapot asterism) from which to slew and find this object. The cluster had a bright core and was just slightly less bright away from the core. It was not very big. There was enough time to sketch this small cluster and its nearest bright star (HD 170500) before clouds once more intervened and prevented any further sketching.
	Constellation:  Sagittarius Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 7.6 Distance: 28.0 kly Size: 7.1'

Details

Created: 29 September 2024

Last Updated: 10 October 2024

Hits: 34

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-28/29
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:40 AM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 66, 77
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepieces: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom eyepiece (used 30mm)
Magnification: x83 
Seeing: Excellent (1)
Transparency: Good (3)

It was a great night at SCO. No wind was evidenced in the mirror-like water in the south and east and it was cloudless throughout the session. When we first arrived, an owl was hooting quite close by. FLIES! And we didn't bring repellent so it was an interesting evening to determine who won out - us or the flies. At 10:05 a flock of geese could be heard to the south but they didn't surprise us by landing in the southbound as they did on September 14th.

This was to be a Messier night but I had challenges with alignment go the scope and generally just finding these faint fuzzies.

Following failed attempts to find M110 near the Andromeda Galaxy and M9 near the star Sabik in Ophiuchus/Serpens Cauda, I found M30 and this was followed by finding a second Messier of the night - M72 north of ν Capricornus and not too far away from M73 (which I did not observe this evening).

M72 was faint and diffuse but I could make out 2 stars in the cluster. It was diffuse throughout the cluster with no apparent dense core. 

Constellation:  Aquarius Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 9.3 Distance: 55.4 kly Size: 5.9'

Details

Created: 28 September 2024

Last Updated: 10 October 2024

Hits: 32

• Messier Object

Stars: Betelgeuse, Capella, θ Capricornus, ν Capricornus, ζ Capricornus, 41 Capricornus, Deneb Algiedi
HD Stars: 18885, 205707, 205927, 206178, 206680
Planets: Jupiter, Mars, Uranus 
Messier Objects: M30, M72

Identified, not Observed: Auriga, Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, Cetus, Little Dipper, Pegasus, Perseus, Pleiades, Taurus, Triangulum
Attempted to find without Success: M9, M32, M73, M110

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-28/29
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:40 AM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepieces: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom eyepiece
Magnification: x60 - x20 
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Excellent (1)

It was a great night at SCO. No wind was evidenced in the mirror-like water in the south and east and it was cloudless throughout the session. When we first arrived, an owl was hooting quite close by. FLIES! And we didn't bring repellent so it was an interesting evening to determine who won out - us or the flies. At 10:05 a flock of geese could be heard to the south but they didn't surprise us by landing in the southbound as they did on the 14th.

Jerry assisted me in getting the scope set up and aligned but unfortunately it hadn't been polar aligned so it did create challenges throughout the observing session. Bob and Blair joined us shortly after our arrival.

M31, M32
Time: 9:00 PM ADT
Eyepiece: 30mm
My first objects were in Andromeda which was quite high and visible from the centre observing pad. However, I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was in fact M32. Blair found it in his Dobsonian with a 20mm eyepiece; M31, M32, and M110 were all in the eyepiece - which confirmed that what I thought was a star in M31 was actually M32. I determined I would let this one pass for now.

M9
Time: 9:18 PM ADT
I made a few attempts at finding this object. I sent the scope to Sabik then tried several times to slew to find it. Unfortunately, it went into the trees before I could identify it.

M30
Time: 9:48 PM ADT
Success! But only after a couple of failed attempts t locate it. M30 was located east of ζ Capricornus, almost due south from Deneb Algiedi. It had a dense core with at least 3 lines of stars emanating outward from its bright and dense core. For more details refer to Messier Catalogue - M030 / NGC 7099 / Jellyfish Cluster.

M72, M73
Time: 10:31 - 10:46 PM ADT
Given Capricornus was still high in the sky, I attempted to find this pair of objects north of θ Capricornus. M72 was found after a couple of attempts. It was fairly faint and diffuse but I could make out 2 stars in the cluster. For more details refer to Messier Catalogue - M072 / NGC 6981. M73 was a bust. For some reason I could not find it east of M72.

Jupiter Time: 12:02 AM ADT Although the planet was very visible in Taurus in the eastern skies, I used the goto feature to observe it.  The planet and its 4 Galilean moons were quote clear. Could not discern the Great Red Spot (GRS) at this magnification but could see the striping that almost aligned with the line of moons

Uranus
Time: 12:09 AM ADT
I knew this planet was close to the Pleaides, so used the go-to feature to slew to it. A glorious little blue dot was centred in the FOV. 

Time: 12:15 AM ADT
I was chilled at this point and my hands were beyond cold so had a hot chocolate and snacks in the Warm Room and relaxed a bit before we packed equipment and headed home.

Time: 1:20 AM ADT
Orion was in front of us on the drive home, lying on his side and about 10°-15° above the horizon. His red Betelgeuse was easily identified.

Time 2:10 AM ADT
The skies were still beautifully clear when we arrived home. When we stepped out fo the car and looked at the skies across the street, a red org was above the tree line - Mars - and further up was Capella bright as could be. A wonderful evening had come to an end. Light out at 2:38 AM.

Details

Created: 28 September 2024

Last Updated: 10 October 2024

Hits: 42

• General Observing Session
• Messier Object
• Planet

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-28/29
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:40 AM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepieces: SvBony 10-30mm Zoom eyepiece (used 30mm)
Magnification: x83 
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Excellent (1)

It was a great night at SCO. No wind was evidenced in the mirror-like water in the south and east and it was cloudless throughout the session. When we first arrived, an owl was hooting quite close by. FLIES! And we didn't bring repellent so it was an interesting evening to determine who won out - us or the flies. At 10:05 a flock of geese could be heard to the south but they didn't surprise us by landing in the southbound as they did on September 14th.

This was to be a Messier night but I had challenges with alignment of the scope and generally just finding these faint fuzzies.

At 9:48, following failed attempts to find M110 near the Andromeda Galaxy and M9 near the star Sabik in Ophiuchus/Serpens Cauda, I finally found one Messier - M30! It had a small dense core and a wider diffuse area. After looking at it for a while, I noticed at least 3 lines of stars emanating outward from the core. The star field had a few bright stars of note - one at 2 o'clock and 2 others in the east.

Constellation:  Capricornus Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 7.3 Distance: 26.1 kly Size: 11.0'

Details

Created: 28 September 2024

Last Updated: 10 October 2024

Hits: 39

• Messier Object

Objects: Ulugh Beigh, Astoni
Others Identified: Aristarchus, Briggs, Eddington, Herodotus, Lichtenberg, Lavoisier, Lavoisier A, Russell, Seleucus, Struve, von Braun

Date: September 18, 2024
Time: 1:10 AM - 1:45 AM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Antares Plössl 15mm, Explore Scientific 4.7mm with 82° FOV
Magnification: x167

These craters weren't the easiest to find. The RASC Observer's Calendar depicted the favourable libration and to my surprise it meant L9 could be searched for. 

Using my S&T Field Map of the Moon, I determined that if I went to Aristarchus & Herodotus (very easy craters to find) and looked to their west on Oceanus Procellarum (OP) to the crater Lichtenberg, the dark-floored Ulugh Bay should be west of it and just a bit inshore in the mountainous area. Using the Explore Scientific 12mm eyepiece, it took at least 5 minutes to visually navigate within the FOV to find them. 

But I wanted a closer look so with Ulugh Beigh/Aston centred in the FOV, I changed the eyepiece to the Explore Scientific 4.7mm. Completely lost them!! Total white-out! For the next 15 minutes or more, neither Jerry or I could focus it to see any crater let alone the target. Back to the 12mm it was and after a few minutes had it back on target and in focus. 

I recognized Struve, Briggs, Eddington and Russell. Other craters (new to me) were noted as well on the shoreline and in the west border of OP - Lavoisier, Lavoisier A, Seleucus (with a white halo), and von Braun (quite white and caught your eye). Lichtenberg in the OP was interesting to note because it appeared to have a small ejecta field to its northwest. 

Details

Created: 18 September 2024

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

Hits: 76

• IWLOP

Partial Lunar Eclipse
Constellation: Aquarius
Stars: Albireo (ß¹ & ß²) 
Planets: Saturn + Titan & Rhea
Did not Find: NGC 6802
IWLOP: #21 Sinus Concordiae, #57 Linné, L9 Ulugh Leigh & Aston

It's not often you get to see a partial lunar eclipse and have the sky conditions allow it to be viewed. We had 3 methods to observe it at its various stages - visual, binocular, telescope - and Jerry had his camera set up to take photos to produce a time-lapse video. During the wait between changes on the lunar surface, we looked up to see what we could see. 

Location: Home Date: 2024-17/18, 2024 Time: 9:00 PM - 1:50 AM Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars, 10" Meade SCT,  Eyepieces: 10mm-30mm Scientific American Zoom eyepiece, 12mm, 40mm Temperature: 22° C - 16° C Seeing: Fair (4) Transparency: Fair (4)

9:00 PM: The Moon was just above our neighbour's roofline but not high enough yet to be seen where our scope was located. Jerry began to polar align the 10" Meade SCT and then realized he also had to align the finder scope with the scope. This took some time to accomplish.

9:10 PM: I noticed a line/curve of smoke (or very high cirrus clouds) extending from Arcturus to a little beyond Deneb. Hopefully the forecasted smoke wouldn't have a great effect on our view. So, while waiting for the Moon to appear in our FOV....

Albireo Time: 9:17 PM ADT Equipment: Telescope S&T Chart Reference: 62 Eyepiece: Tele Vue 12mm (90° FOV) Magnification: x208 After completing the polar alignment, we used the go-to to find Albireo. We weren't disappointed. The yellow-gold β Cygni A was the larger of the two and the blue-green β Cygni B was at 10 o'clock to A. I sketched the star field in the FOV but could not identify all the stars in.

NGC 6802 / Coathanger Cluster
Time: 9:30 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 64, 65
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Tele Vue 12 mm (90° FOV)
Magnification: x208
I discovered this open cluster butting against the Coathanger at the St. Croix Observatory (with Chris Young and his sister Cathy). My Evostar 80ED did not have "CR" as a choice so we tried to find an NGC nearby - et voila! Unfortunately, the seeing this evening did not allow us to find it. The Coathanger wasn't visible by any of our 3 observing methods. Got to love smoke/clouds!

IWLOP #021: Sinus Concordiae
Time: 10:06 PM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Tele Vue 12 mm (90° FOV)
Magnification: x208
although viewed several times it had never been 'officially' identified. The IWLOP suggested viewing this at or near the full moon, so this was the perfect night - Full Moon 'Supermoon' at 100% no less! For details, go to IWLOP #021 - Sinus Concordiae.

IWLOP #057: Linné
Time: 10:38 PM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Tele Vue 12 mm (90° FOV)
Magnification: x208
This second viewing of Linné was 1 hour before the full Supermoon. For details, go to IWLOP #057 - Linné.

Saturn (in Aquarius) Time: 11:27 PM Equipment: 10x42 IS Binoculars I was looking to identify the bright object east of the Moon. Turns out it was Saturn in Aquarius. Sketched the star field in which it lay.

Time: 11:52 PM ADT, 1:48 AM ADT Equipment: Telescope Eyepiece: Celestron focal reducer/corrector - f6.3, Tele Vue 40mm Plössl eyepiece Magnification: x39 This observation had Saturn tilted at 45°. Its rings were still being seen side-on so no distinction of separation from the planet nor of the Cassini divisions. Titan looked to be 'protected' under the rings and Rhea was seen above along the same plane as the rings. At 1:48 AM, no moons were seen, perhaps due to the cloud or smoke.

Time: 3:04 AM ADT
Equipment: 10x42 IS Binoculars
I woke, looked out the bedroom window, and used my binoculars to view Saturn that was now S-SW above our trees. Could only see the planet.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

Jerry and I both had an interest in this event - me from a visual observer's perspective, him from an astroimager time-lapse photographer, and both of us from an amateur astronomer perspective as this was our first observed partial lunar eclipse.  I had my 10x42 image-stabilized binoculars at the ready and the 10" Meade SCT. He took photos using his Nikon Z7 at 1/320 sec, f10 with a 400mm lens. Two chairs and a table were placed between the scope and the camera facing south for front row seat observing. Hot chocolate in our thermos and a bag of chips at the ready. We noticed a colour change in the eastern limb a little after 10 PM. Unfortunately, I didn't note the exact time in my log but Jerry captured the darkening beginning.

Time: 11:12 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars, Telescope
Eyepiece: Celestron focal reducer/corrector - f6.3, Tele Vue 40mm Plössl eyepiece
Magnification: x39

The Moon would not "fit" in the scope's FOV. Jerry suggested adding the focal reducer which also provided a wider FOV and there it was - the full Moon in my FOV.

• Visually: The Moon appeared to have a flattened top. The area above Mare Frigoris had darkened but was still visible.
• Binoculars: Can make out Mare Frigoris but not the upper limb. Similar in darkness to the sky behind the Moon.
• Telescope: Can see the land mass in a darkened area but cannot discern the numerous craters known to be in the north polar area.

Time: 11:27 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual
The area over northern Oceanus Procellarum, Sinus Roris, Mare Imbrium, and Sinus Iridum seemed darker than other areas of the Moon. 

	Time: 11:34 PM ADT Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars, Telescope Eyepiece: Celestron focal reducer/corrector - f6.3,  Tele Vue 40mm Plössl eyepiece Magnification: x39 Visually: The Moon 'cap' was blackened. The polar region was gone with no colour difference between it and skies behind it. The northern hemisphere seems to be in partial shadow whereas the area around Tycho and Mare Crisium are still relatively bright.  Binoculars: Can just barely make out the northern limb. Aristarchus still shone through at the edge of the darkness. Copernicus and Kepler were certainly subdued as well. Telescope: Shows a darkened area to the southern shore of Mare Frigoris.
	Time: 11:43 PM ADT Equipment: Visual The Moon's dark 'cap' had tipped eastward. I jokingly suggested it gave the Moon a more sporty look. The umbra had shifted a bit from west to east; however, the northern hemisphere remained in the penumbra. Time: 11:59 PM ADT Equipment: Visual The dark 'cap' appeared less black at the pole.
	Time: 12:24 AM ADT Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars Temperature: 17° The dark 'cap' is now a bit lighter in colour. Western Mare Frigoris and northern Oceanus Procellarum were darkened but visible. Now lost in the Umbra were the eastern area of Mare Frigoris, Lacus Mortis and Lacus Temporis. The northern hemisphere in general remained in the penumbra but was darker in the east.
	Time: not recorded I watched shadows disappear from the lunar surface but did not note the time when evidence of the eclipse was last visible. Jerry fortunately had a photo of the penumbra on the northweastern limb showing the remainder of the Moon back to its luminous self. The last photo he took was at 12:56 AM ADT. Visually, it looked like the Moon was back to the 100% Supermoon.

IWLOP #L9: Ulugh Bay & Aston
Time: 1:10 AM - 1:45 AM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Antares Plössl 15mm
Magnification: x167
These craters weren't the easiest to find. The RASC Observer's Calendar depicted the favourable libration and to my surprise it meant L9 could possibly be found. Using my S&T Field Map of the Moon, I determined that if I went to Aristarchus and Herodotus (very easy craters to find) and looked to their west on Oceanus Procellarum (OP) to the crater Lichtenberg, the dark-floored Ulugh Bay was there. For more details of the challenges in finding these craters, refer to IWLOP #L9 - Ulugh Bay and Aston.

Details

Created: 17 September 2024

Last Updated: 25 September 2024

Hits: 100

• General Observing Session

Objects: Sinus Concordiae, Palus Somni
Others Identified: Cauchy

Location: Home
Date: 2024-09-17
Time: 10:06 PM ADT
Equipment: 10” Meade SCT
Eyepiece: 2" Explore Scientific 12mm (92° FOV)
Magnification: x208
Seeing: Fair (4)
Transparency: Fair (4)
Temperature: 17° C
SQM: did not measure

It was a beautiful September night. We were observing the partial lunar eclipse from our backyard. No wind or flies, but smoke interfered with the seeing from time to time. 

R1: Sinus Concordiae: This was viewed 1.5 hours before full Supermoon. The Sinus had a narrowed end, bordered by Palus Somni in the north and a mountainous area to its south. Several little bays on the north shore jutted into Palus Somni.

Details

Created: 17 September 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 80

• IWLOP

The evening began at 6 PM with the Annual SCO BBQ. It then turned into a spectacular evening “🎼 under the light, of the silvery Moon.” The wind died down early in the evening making it easier for a few mosquitoes to find us but once the temperature dropped a bit, they disappeared.

I believe we all had a grand time looking at the Moon 🌖, be it through the scopes set up or through our binoculars. I had my 10” Meade SCT with a 10-30mm SvBony eyepiece. Had a blast locating craters and other features along the terminator, and certainly in sharing them with other members “new” to lunar observing and showing them on the Sky&Telecope lunar map where the features were located.

Here are my favourite photos - north to south - taken with my iPhone 13 Pro attached to the eyepiece with my NexYZ 3-Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter. I had viewed all of them throughout the evening but then went back to capture a photo of each. No records were taken of these observations as the intent of the evening was to introduce members to the Moon and some of its special features.

The shores of Mare Frigoris above Sinus Iridium (photo taken at 11:04 PM) The large crater with an internal crater is Herschel with Horrebow on its SW wall. Directly above it is Anaximander with Carpenter to the east. The large crater in the darker Mare floor is Harpalus. Below Harpalus are 2 craters (L to R) Bouguer and Foucault. To Herschel’s west, are two small unnamed craters, and then the crater South with Babbage above it (in the dark).
In Oceanus Procellarum - Aristarchus, Herodotus & Vallis Schröteri (Schröter’s Valley) on the Aristachus Plateau (photo taken at 11:07 PM) On the right, are two craters - Aristarchus (the bright-rimmed one) and Herodotus. From the northern (left) rim, you can see a snake-like valley heading NW - Vallis Schröteri, the largest sinuous valley (rille) on the moon (~ 155km). The start of the rill has been termed the “Cobra’s Head” due to its resemblance to a snake. You will also see the remnants of another crater (Prinz) near Aristarchus, and to the left/above Prinz are two small craters Krieger (with a small crater on its wall) and Wollaston. On the far left is Marian.
West of Copernicus - Kepler & Encke with T. Mayer (11:09 PM) Copernicus and its spectacular ejecta field were very easy to find but what I wanted to have a closer look at Kepler and Encke. Keplar (right of centre) certainly has a larger ejecta field than Encke and is deeper given the shadows on both, but both are much smaller than Copernicus. To the left of Kepler, is T. Mayer with its very flat floor, bright-ish, low-rimmed walls. On the upper right very close to the terminator is Marius and to its lower left is Marius A.
The Diamond Ring on Mare Nubium South of Oceanus Procellarum is Mare Nubium. On its northern shore, you see the large crater Gassendi with its two central peaks and its broken southern rim. Because of being inundated by lava during the formation of the Mare, only the rim and central peaks remain above the surface. On its northern wall is the crater Gassendi A. Together, they give the impression of a diamond ring. To the right of Gassendi is a crater with a darker floor and shadows - Marsenius.
Tycho & Clavius in Southern Highlands Tycho with its central peak is centred in this photo. I refer to this crater as ‘the flower” because to me Tycho is the flower’s centre with the smaller, shallower craters encircling it appear as petals. Below Tycho is Clavius - a beautiful crater with an arc of 4 craters (all varying ages, apparently) on its floor; the 5th in the arc on the crater wall is Rutherford. Across from Rutherford on the opposite wall is Porter. With a much higher magnification, you would see several small impacts made on this crater. The all narrow crater on the upper right is Schiller, appearing appears very elongated due to foreshortening.

Details

Created: 14 September 2024

Last Updated: 23 September 2024

Hits: 63

• Lunar Session

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-05
Time: 12:34 AM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 75
Instrument: SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED with star diagonal
Eyepieces: SvBony 30mm-10mm Zoom eyepiece
Magnification: x20 - x60 
Transparency: Very Good (4)
Seeing: Good (3)
SQM: 21.04
Temperature: 13º C

It was a great night at SCO! No clouds. No wind, not even a breeze. Six souls ventured into the wilderness to take in the dark skies. There were the two observer/sketchers (me being one of them) whereas the others were imagers. Lots to see but my focus this evening was the Messier objects. 

M15 was not close or in the Square of Pegasus as anticipated. SkySafariPro redirected me eastward to Enif. By following the line from Bihar (θ Pegasi) to Enif (ε Pegasi), I was able to slew to the cluster with the 30mm. Once found and centred, I used the 10mm. M15 had a very bright centre and was quite compact. It became less dense further away from the core. There was a very bright star close to the cluster that I identified as HD204712.

There were three stars in the upper right quadrant in V-shape that initially I could not identify until I realized I was using the 30mm eyepiece. The upper two were faint (SAO107121 & HD204094 at mag 9.1) compared to the brighter star (SAO107133 at mag 8.9) below them.

Constellation:  Pegasus Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 6.0 Distance: 33.6 kly Size: 12.3 '

Details

Created: 05 September 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 146

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

It was a great night at SCO last evening! Six souls ventured into the wilderness to take in the dark skies - Jerry & me, Michael Gatto, Peter Hurley, Blair MacDonald, and Bob Russell. Michael and I were the two observer/sketchers whereas the others were imagers. Lots to see last evening. Blair was capturing two Barnard dark nebulae. Bob caught more photons for his images of the Trifid and Heart nebulae.  Jerry was working on the Bubble Nebula (NGC7635), centred the Chandelier Cluster (NGC 6723) with HD 176386 with HR 7170, the Trifid Nebula (NGC6514/M20), the Triangulum Galaxy (M33), and the Pinwheel Galaxy (NGC 5457/M101). I am not sure what Michael and Peter were observing.

Truly hoping clear weather returns several times during September/October to capture more views of our amazing Universe. Hope to see more members out there! There’s an “oh, wow!” moment for everyone in the sky, but there’s also the fun of gathering under the stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae,.... There were some challenges with alignment but once that was solved, had a great night of viewing. 

Albireo Time: 12:43 AM S&T Chart Reference: 62 Equipment: SkyWatcher 16" Dobsonian Telescope Eyepieces: Nagler 22 mm Magnification: x82 What did we all look at? Jerry fired up the 16” Dob around midnight (didn’t get a good alignment) and used a Nagler 22mm eyepiece for an incredible view of Albireo - so big and bright with their colours, sizes, and relative positions with the star field very clear. The larger of the two ß1 (ß Cygni A) was amber coloured and much larger than the blue-green ß2 (ß Cygni B). ß1 was at 2 o'clock to ß2. It's not known whether they are an optical or a binary double.

Jupiter (in Taurus) Time: 12:56 AM Equipment: Telescope Eyepieces: SvBony 30mm-10mm Zoom eyepiece Magnification: x20 - x60 Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons were viewed together as well; Io and Europa were close together at 11 o'clock to the view of the planet whereas Callisto (the dimmer of the two) and Ganymede were very close together but a fair distance away at 5 o'clock.

Saturn (in Aquarius) Time: 1:20 AM Equipment: Telescope Eyepieces: SvBony 30mm-10mm Zoom eyepiece Magnification: x20 - x60  I offered a view of Saturn in my scope to everyone. So amazing to see it so bright with no separation of the rings from the planet nor the Cassini Division. The rings were equally as bright as the planet and appeared as only a thin line as we were viewing them side-on. Wow. There was a semi-circle of what I thought were stars, but one of them was Titan, one of Saturn's moons.

Details

Created: 04 September 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 168

• General Observing Session
• Messier Object
• Planet

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-09-04
Time: 9:28 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 67, 69
Instrument: SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED with star diagonal
Eyepieces: SvBony 30mm-10mm Zoom eyepiece
Magnification: x20 - x60 
Transparency: Very Good (4)
Seeing: Good (3)
SQM: 21.14
Temperature: 16º C

It was a great night at SCO! No clouds. No wind, not even a breeze. Six souls ventured into the wilderness to take in the dark skies. There were the two observer/sketchers (me being one of them) whereas the others were imagers. Lots to see but my focus this evening was the Messier objects. 

M22 is a cluster that's been located by binoculars too many times to count! As always, used Kaus Borealis as the start point for the search then found the Y-shaped 4-star configuration (HD170978, HD171056, HD171097, 24 Sgr). M22 was in the same FOV as the 'Y'. It is a seemingly uniform dense cluster with no discernible stars at this magnification. However, by staring at it for several seconds was able to see a bright star at 3 positions of a clock within the cluster - 3, 6 & 9 o'clock. The cluster didn't appear completely circular because of the brighter stars in the S-SW giving it a more oval/almond shape.

Constellation:  Sagittarius Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 5.1 Distance: 10.4 kly Size: 24.0 '

Details

Created: 04 September 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 129

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Constellations: Aquila, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Perseus, Scorpius
Asterism: Big Dipper, Coathanger/Brocchi’s Cluster/ Collinder 399/Al Suffi’s Cluster (looked for NGC 6802 to find it in telescope),Keystone of Hercules, Little Dipper, Teapot
Stars: Albireo, Aldebaran, Altair, Alshain, Antares, Arcturus, Capella, Deneb, Mizar-Alcor, Polaris, Tarazed
Clusters: Alpha Persei Cluster/Melotte 20/Collinder 39
Planets: Jupiter, Mars, Saturn

Identified, not Observed: Auriga, Boötes, Cygnus, Ophiuchus, M13
Attempted to find without Success: M4, M22

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-08-30/31
Time: 8:00 PM – 12:45 AM ADT
Equipment: 10x42 IS Binoculars, Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED with star diagonal
Eyepieces: SvBony 30mm-10mm Zoom eyepiece
Magnification: x20 - x60 
Transparency: Very Good (4)
Seeing: Good (3)

It was a great night at SCO! No clouds. No wind, perhaps a little breeze part way through the evening that kept the flies at bay. Because this was a Member's Observing Night at SCO, I did not keep a written record of the evening’s observations but made the list once I returned home. Therefore, no idea as to timing except for the view of Saturn as it was observed after most folk had left SCO, and for some reason I had recorded it.

Nine souls ventured into the wilderness this night to take in the dark skies:

• Me! touring the sky with my Evostar 80ED refractor to look for whatever I was asked to find. I had no particular objectives in mind. 
• Dave Chapman had the Centre’s 16” Dobsonian in service and gave instruction in how to use the telescope. He shared close-up views of some of summer's showpiece objects.
• Michael Gatto with his 13” Dobsonian sketched some Herschel objects.
• Tony McGrath had his 120mm refractor and was star hopping through the southern sky.
• Jerry was fine tuning the HyperStar imaging setup which he has assembled over the last several months, converting the Centre's 8 inch Celestron SCT into a superfast f1.9 imaging setup. 
• Guests:
      - Chris Young (RASC member) was accompanied by his sister Cathy who was visiting from New Mexico,
      - Stephen Payne (RASC member) had brought along Laurent Kreplak, the head of the Physics department at Dalhousie University.

Chris requested I show his sister the double star Albireo. Nothing like being under pressure with two observers waiting albeit patiently to see this star. Altair and Arcturus were used for 2-star alignment purposes; Cathy saw Arcturus that was just about to disappear in the western treeline. Eventually, with Jerry’s assistance, the Evostar and I became friends and Albireo was centred in the FOV. Cathy saw the two stars and quickly noted the differing colours – one a yellow-gold with the other a blue-green.

I became friends with Cathy and we joined forces to tease her brother. This was certainly true when attempting to find the Coathanger (Cr399) asterism. Problem: the Evostar does not a Collinder (Cr) designation as a search choice, so we asked Chris to look for NGC 6802 that I knew was located at the end of the "rail" of the Coathanger. He was having challenges finding it (connectivity issues) but I did in SkySafariPro. Because of the wider field of view, both the NGC and the asterism were visible in the same FOV for all to see.

Mizar-Alcor (in the Big Dipper), Cassiopeia
With the Big Dipper so high in the northern sky, I pointed to the handle and asked her what she saw when looking at the centre star in the handle. Like others our age, she saw one star – until I asked her to look through her binoculars. I explained about Mizar and Alcor, and how Mizar (a double star) could be seen in a telescope. The pointer stars of the bucket and how they pointed to Polaris were also explained.

I also noted Cassiopeia nearby. I told Cathy the story of how our youngest grandson at the age of 5 was shown the constellation at Blomidon Provincial Park. Because he couldn’t pronounce it, it became known as the “William” constellation (named after him).

Milky Way, Scorpius
Looking south from the observing pads, the Milky way was pointed out along with the two constellations that were on either side. Scorpius was to the west and many of its main stars could be seen, especially Antares. I noted the curve of stars and how the scorpion body curved southward. Also mentioned the numerous Messier objects in the area. Chris and I explained how the star clusters came to be identified by the French astronomer Charles Messier.

The Teapot (in Sagittarius)
I also pointed out the Teapot, the asterism in the constellation Sagittarius. There were several Messier objects around it as well but it was noted that steam (aka the Milky Way) came out of the teapot spout. This made it a little easier to find in the night skies.

Perseus, Alpha Persei Cluster/Melotte 20/Collinder 39, Capella (in Auriga)
Chris, Cathy and I relocated between the Warm Room and the Storage/Washroom to view the constellation Perseus and the Alpha Persei Cluster. Using binoculars, I looked at this, one of my favourite clusters, with my binoculars (cannot remember if they did or not). Such a gorgeous open cluster! There was a bight object below it that initially we thought could be a planet but it was Capella (the brightest star in Auriga).

Keystone of Hercules, M13 (Hercules Cluster)
This was above our heads but not at Zenith. Using the binoculars, I quickly located the Hercules Cluster Eta Herculis and Zeta Herculis. Confirmed it was still a small grey fuzzy.

Boötes, Ophiuchus, Aquila, Cygnus
(Visual Observation)
West of Hercules, we could still see Arcturus (“arc to Arcturus”); I was able to quickly note where the other stars of the constellation were located. South of Hercules, I identified the 3 stars in the “cap” of Ophiuchus. This constellation always amazes me because of the enormity of the skyscape that it covers. Now looking into the Milky Way, Altair and its two fainter stars (Tarazed and Alshain) could be seen. The constellation Cygnus was then seen above Aquila and its brightest star, Deneb, quickly identified.

Saturn (in Aquarius)
Time: 11:38- 11:50 PM
Equipment: Visual, binoculars, telescope
Eyepiece: SvBony 10-30mm

I found Saturn initially visually, then located it in binoculars in the SE sky. When I used the telescope, I was able to identify the moon Phoebe. Also cool was seeing the rings edge on – no sign of distance between the rings and planet nor of the Cassini Divisions. I showed this to Stephen, Laurent, Dave, Michael and Jerry. The others had already left.

M4, M22
At some point in the evening when there was some quiet time at my scope, I looked for these two Messiers. M4 was to be found close to Antares in Scorpius and M22 in Sagittarius near the Teapot‘s lid star (Kaus Borealis). Unfortunately, I had waited too late – both constellations were quite low on the horizon and the horizon was a bit murky to discern stars – with binoculars or the scope. Bah!

Jupiter, Mars, Aldebaran
Looking out my passenger window while leaving SCO, I noted three bright orbs – Aldebaran (the brightest star in Taurus), Jupiter above it, and the reddish Mars above it – all forming a shallow triangle in the sky. Oh, to have my scope up now but, alas, it was packed in the trunk behind me. Bah!

Details

Created: 30 August 2024

Last Updated: 30 August 2024

Hits: 88

• General Observing Session
• Constellation
• Planet

This was our last afternoon at Nova East. Clouds were occasionally covering the sun and we knew it was to cloud over completely soon so decided to observe the sunspots using the solar filter built specifically for my telescope.

Location: Nova East at Blomidon Provincial Park 
Date: 2024-08-11
Time: 4:31 PM ADT
Equipment: Evostar 80 ED
Eyepiece: SvBony 30mm-10 mm
Magnification: x60

The sunspots were numerous in the Sun's lower hemisphere. The line of them extended from about 7 o'clock on the Sun's surface to 2:30 o'clock on the eastern limb. The sketch was a bit hurried as the cloud cover was encroaching the viewing field.

Details

Created: 11 August 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 134

• General Observing Session

Objects: Goldschmidt, Anaxagoras, Archytas, W. Bond
Others Identified: Barrow, Birmingham, Challis & Math, Epigenes, Meton, Protagoras, Scoresby, Timaeus

Location: Home
Date: 2024-06-14
Time: 9:00 PM - 10:15 PM ADT
Equipment: 10” Meade SCT
Eyepiece: TeleVue Nagler 9mm Japan
Magnification: x278
Seeing: Fair (2)
Transparency: Good (3)
Temperature: 20° C
SQM: did not measure

R1: Goldschmidt: Goldschmidt's SE rim bordering with Barrow is quite high with an irregular surface, creating an interesting shadow on Goldschmidt's flat floor. A "valley" appeared on the wall Anaxagoras impacted, almost as if it were a double wall - the taller side created by the creation of Anaxagoras and the other of Goldschmidt's pushed in wall due to the impact. The floor was also just a shade darker near this wall. The crater had an irregular shape to its rim and was quite worn down in areas (especially in the south) where it appeared almost non-existent. Goldschmidt's floor appeared lower than that of Barrow and Anaxagoras. 

R2:  Anaxagoras: I'm sure that because of foreshortening, it appeared oval in shape. I also assumed the Moon was hit obliquely as the west wall appeared terraced and at a lesser slope (also very well illuminated) compared to the higher eastern side that impacted Goldschmidt. I could not determine if there was a central peak because of the deep shadow. 

C1: Valley Radial: Between Archytas and W. Bond was the valley radial to the Mare Imbrium impact. At first, I thought it was a shallow crater with a disintegrated southern wall but then in a couple moments of stable seeing saw the ridges parallel to the crater walls and the continuity of flow to Mare Frigoris. 

C2: Craters: There appeared to be a few small craters (saw shadows for 2) on the crater's southern floor. There was a sizeable crater in the west near Anaxagoras due to an impact on its floor or wall or a combination thereof. There were a couple of dark shadows on its southern rim that could be due to craters; not sure.

C3: Infilling: Smooth floor of this crater suggested infilling. Others also appeared to have this - Meton, W. Bond, the crater-like area between Barrow and W. Bond, and a couple of unnamed craters between W. Bond and C. Myers.

Note: Barrow's floor seemed to be darker through the middle than on the north and south sides.

Details

Created: 14 June 2024

Last Updated: 24 September 2024

Hits: 238

• IWLOP

Objects: Anaxagoras, Archytas, Birmingham, Challis & Math, Goldschmidt, Meton, Protagoras, Scoresby, W. Bond
IWLOP Objects: IWLOP #76: Goldschmidt

Location: Home
Date: 2024-06-14
Time: 9:00 PM - 10:15 PM
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: Tele Vue Nagler 9mm Japan eyepiece
Magnification: x278
Temperature: 20° C
Seeing: Fair (4)
Transparency: Good (3)

My goal for this session was to finally see all of the objects contained in IWLOP #76 - Goldschmidt and especially Anaxagoras. I had tried a month ago but was unsuccessful. Tonight there as success. For details of this observation, refer to IWLOP #076 - Goldschmidt.

Having found what I was looking for and completed the required and challenges for #76, I decided that given it was such a beautiful night I would stay out and get reacquainted with lunar craters that I haven't seen in a while. It was also just past 1st Quarter. The moon was illuminated 57.7% at this point so there may even be hope for Rupes Recta (Straight Wall) if all goes well.

First up? Deslandres (Centre of photo) caught my eye. Its western rim was just on the terminator but you could see the features of its floor: Hell: crater in the west; crater rim well lit but interior very much in the dark. A small crater (in the dark) to its SW and two even smaller unnamed ones between Hell and Lexell Lexell: crater that impacted and affected the SE corner of Deslandres.; central peak and its N-NW rim is almost non-existent.  Ball: forms a triangle with Lexell and Hell. Much of its rim is illuminated but the lower west rim and its floor are matching the darkness of the terminator. There is an unnamed crater in the N with its rim illuminated, and there is a rille-like feature in the NW. Below Delsandres is what I refer to as a mess of craters that over time had numerous hits: Orontius (right: largest one with a scalloped western rim) Sassure immediately below it Huggins impacted Orontius's SE rim Nasireddin impacted Huggins eastern rim Miller had a small section of its souther rim touch by Nasireddin; central peak and ridged wall very evident. If you follow the three craters lining up SW-NE above Miller, you come to Walther with its slightly off-centre peak and 4 aligned craters near the peak. This crater did impact Deslandres on its eastern rime. There is also an unnamed crater just inside its western rim. Above Walther is Regiomontanus with its now off-centre peak. Its southern rim is separated from Walther by rough terrain. Much of its northern rim was destroyed by Purbach's impact. There is a crater on its almost non-existent northern wall. Two ghost craters go southward through the middle.

Above Deslandres..... that's Rupes Recta aka the Straight Wall! As the absolute best example of a lunar fault, Rupes Recta casts a wide shadow that gives it the appearance of a steep cliff. The fault has a length of 110 km, a typical width of 2–3 km, and a height of 240–300 m. Although it appears to be a vertical cliff in the lunar surface, in actuality the grade of the slope is relatively shallow. Thebit (circular crater with most of its floor in darknesss in middle left), Thebit A with its highly illuminated rim, the small Thebit L beside A, the even smaller Thebit J nested beside Thebit, and Rupes Recta! Thebit A appears to have impacted both Thebit and Thebit L. The crater Birt is the illuminated crater in the shadows. Promontorium Taenarium was very large and well illuminated at the south end of the Wall; an intermittent ridge line ran from Thebit J to the south end of Rupes Recta, creating what looked like a break in the Wall just before the Promontorium. A few ghost craters appear on the Mare Nubium floor, suggesting inflow from volcanic action at some point.

At 10 o'clock to Thebit is Arzachel, one of a set of four on the Mare Nubium shores. The other three above it are Alpetragius, Alphonsus and Ptolemaeus. Arzachel has terraced walls; you can certainly see that on the lit side. It has a long central peak and the small Crater A is on its floor close to the peak and you can just make out an even smaller Crater K nearby. There is a rough outer rampart that joins a ridge running from the north rim to southern rim of Alphonsus. Note: Its floor is 1.5 km below that of Aphonsus's. Alpetragius is the small crater lying to the side between Arzachel and Alphonsus. The bowl of the crater is in darkness but its rim is well illuminated. Had the floor been lit, you would have seen the central peak that takes up about 1/3 of the floor; this has lead tot his crater being referred to as "egg in the nest". Alphonsus has a central peak. The outer walls are slightly distorted and possess a somewhat hexagonal form. The grooves seen on its floor are similar in appearance to those of Regiomontanus, and are thought to be due to Imbrium's ejecta gouging out the highest points of the terrain. Its southern rim has the rampart that joins it to Arzachel. Note: Its floor is 1 km below that of Ptolemaeus. Ptolemaeus is the largest of the craters in this chain. No central peak but it does have the named crater Ammonius on its floor. It has a low, irregular outer rim that is heavily worn and impacted with multiple smaller craters. The crater has a lava-flooded floor that under certain light shows ghost craters where lava covered pre-existing craters there. The small crater above Ptolemaeus is Herschel; you can see the top of the central peak in this deep round crater and hints of a terraced wall. You can also see the small Herschel G attached to the SW rim of Ptolemaeus.

I then just started looking at the eastern limb of the Moon especially in the area of Mare Crisium. Lots to see!

Mare Crisium (Sea of Crises) fills the central portion of this image. The craters in Crisium - Pierce and Picard - look like two eyes and, combined with Proclus and its ejecta rays, I see a bear's eyes, snout and nose. Proclus is thought to have hit the moon obliquely thus creating the ejecta rays towards Crisium and not Palus Somni, the rather grey fan-shaped area. On the limb at 9 o'clock is an oblique view of Mare Marginis (Sea of the Edge). Appropriately named given its location. At 5 o'clock to this is Mare Undarum (Sea of Waves). It's a shallow mare formed by the impact that created Crisium. The western part of Mare Undarum forms - with a little imagination - a footprint. Between this Mare and Crisium are three dark areas. From North to South these are the craters Condorcet, Firmicus and Apollonius. Signs of their "true" crater-ridden floors are long gone; their dark floors suggest lava filling. At 5 o'clock to Undarum is Mare Spumans (Foaming Sea). If you look closely at this image you will see a bright white spot on the mare shore.       Interesting factoid: This bright area was known as landmark A-1/11(1.7981° N, 65.0741° E). Astronaut Michael Collins tracked this landmark on revolution 4 of Apollo 11. Collins referred to this crater as KAMP, after his three children and wife (Kate, Ann, Michael, and Patricia).   Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fertility) fills the lower right of the image.  Montes Secchi separate it from the  Mare Tranquilitatis (Sea of Tranquility) above it.

That was it for my reacquaintance session. Had fun doing this and re-identifying some really cool features. 

Details

Created: 14 June 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 280

• Lunar Session

Asterism: Big Dipper
Stars:  Alkaid, Alioth, Arcturus, Mizar, Porrima, Spica, Vindemiatrix

Moon: Albetagnius, Barocius, Hipparchus, Harrocks, Klein, Mare Crisium, Mare Tranquilitatis, Maurolycus, Proclus, Palus Somni, Stoffler

Identified, not Observed: Boötes, Virgo
Could not find: M47 / NGC 4472

Location: St. Croix Observatory (SCO)
Date: 2024-06-13
Time: 8:45 PM - 11:00 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars
Transparency: not recorded
Seeing: not recorded

I was a bit tired when I arrived for this session so energy to seek out objects was low, and recording of observations were minimal and those of light levels, temperature, seeing and transparency went by the wayside.  Jerry and I were with David Hoskin, Stephen Payne, Tony McGrath, Meredith and Dennis. Fairly clear and no wind to speak of. Around 10:15 PM, fireflies were twinkling at the shoreline near the Storeroom.

Waxing Moon (48.1%)
Time: 9:30 PM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars
Several craters were located west and southeast of Mare Nubium near the terminator:

• Albetagnius with its interior crater Klein
• Hipparchus with Horrocks - the latter had a very bright rim and dark floor.
• Maurolychus
• Barocius
• Stoffler

Time: 9:58 PM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars
There were several features observed this evening. One of my favourite craters, Proclus, shone brightly to the west of Mare Crisium as did its ejecta rim. Adjacent to it was Palus Somni - a fan-shaped, rough-surfaced, greyish formation on the shores of Mare Tranquilitatis. 

Bright Stars
At this point I was just looking for stars that could be seen visually and when they appeared.

Time: 9:50 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual
At this point, all 3 stars of the Big Dipper handle (Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid), Arcturus in Boötes, and Spica in Virgo were shining brightly and easily identified.

Time: 10:00 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual
The handle plus the 4 stars of the bucket in the Big Dipper (Megrez, Phecda, Merck and Dubhe) were visible.

M49 / NGC 4472
Time: 10:51 PM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars
I attempted to find M49 in Virgo by identifying Vindemiatrix and Porrima. M49 formed a triangle with these two stars but with the almost 50% Moon it could not be found.

Details

Created: 13 June 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 128

• General Observing Session

Location: Site 15, Big Muise Island, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Date: 2024-06-06
Time: 12:10 AM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 56, 58
Instrument: SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED with star diagonal
Eyepieces: Tele Vue 9mm Nagler
Magnification: x67 - x15
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Good (3)
SQM: 21.68
Temperature: 19º C

I was in the general vicinity after looking at M4. I slewed to find M80 above Antares with the 9mm eyepiece. I did not use the 10-30mm eyepiece colocate this as I had done other clusters this evening - and I found it!

It had a dense core and was much better seen with averted vision to obtain details of its structure. There were no especially bright stars in the core that I could see but the nebulous halo suggested stars of this cluster went a distance from the core.

Constellation:  Scorpius Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 7.3 Distance: 32.6 kly Size: 8.9'

Details

Created: 06 June 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 233

• Messier Catalogue

Location: Site 15, Big Muise Island, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Date: 2024-06-05
Time: 11:59 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 56, 58
Instrument: SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED with star diagonal
Eyepieces: Tele Vue 9mm Nagler
Magnification: x67
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Good (3)
SQM: 21.68
Temperature: 20º C

M62 was not far from M19 so was very easy / relatively easy to slew to it. This cluster was much denser than M19 and appeared smaller in size. The background star field wasn't perfectly round and no stars could be seen in it at this magnification.

Constellation:  Ophiuchus Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 6.7 Distance: 22.5 kly Size: 14.1'

Details

Created: 05 June 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 250

• Messier Catalogue

Location: Site 15, Big Muise Island, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Date: 2024-06-05
Time: 11:33 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 56, 58
Instrument: SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED with star diagonal
Eyepieces: 40mm, 10-30mm zoom, 9mm
Magnification: x67 - x15
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Good (3)
SQM: 21.68
Temperature: 20º C

I used the 40mm initially to find Antares and the general area for M19. I then switched to the 10-30mm zoom eyepiece. I found it with the 30mm but it was quite small and had no distinguishing features. At 10mm, there was a much better view of the dense core; noted that was less dense than that of M62. The stars outside the core/nebulosity created by the cluster's star field was discernible for a short distance from the core.

Note: I had challenges labelling the sketched stars around the cluster; therefore, left them all unlabelled. First time I've ever had that challenge.

Constellation:  Ophiuchus Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 6.7 Distance: 28.4 kly Size: 13.5'

Details

Created: 05 June 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 271

• Messier Catalogue

Constellations: Leo, Ursa Major
Asterism: Big Dipper, Teapot
Stars: Adhafera (ζ Leonis), Alcor, Algieba (γ Leonis), Alioth, Alkaid, Alterf (λ Leonis), Alula Australis, Alula Borealis, Antares,Arcturus, Castor, Chertan (θ Leonis), Denebola (β Leonis), Dubhe, y Gem, Kaus Australis, Kaus Borealis, Megrez, Merak, Mizar, Muscida, Navi, Phecda, Pollux, Rasalas (μ Leonis), Regulus (α Leonis), ε Sco, Spica, Tania Australis, Tania Borealis, Talitha, Talitha Borealis, θ UMa, c UMA, ψ UMA, Zosma (δ Leonis)
Messier Objects: M7/Ptolemy Cluster, M19/NGC 6273, M22/NGC 6656, M62/NGC 6266, M80/NGC 6093

Identified, not Observed:
Boötes, Corona Borealis, Scorpius

Location: Site 15 on Big Muise Island, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Date: 2024-06-5/6
Time: 9:30 PM - 1:15 AM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars, SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED
Eyepieces: 40mm, 103mm zoom, 9mm
Transparency: Good (3)
Seeing: Good (3)

We were a little later than expected by about 1 hour due to 4 road construction delays, one as long as 20 minutes. It was a pleasant paddle across the lake with only slight ripples but enough breeze to keep the flies off. As is the custom, we unloaded the canoe content onto the beach and had lunch before setting up camp under the trees. An afternoon swim and some time on the beach made for a wonderful afternoon and early evening. However, I may have had too much sun because I wasn't feeling well by the time dinner rolled around. Thankfully, I felt well by the time the skies started to darken. Jerry and I were alone on the island this evening; our friends were expected around noon tomorrow. When I was on the beach earlier, I determined what to look for in this observing session. There was high cloud. No wind to speak of but at least the mosquitoes were gone! Spring Peepers were calling out at the south end of our island and frogs were responding on the shores of Minard Island opposite our site. The lake surface was like glass with only an occasional fish near shore breaking the surface.

Star Light, Star Bright, First Star I See Tonight....

9:45 PM ADT (Visual)
- Arcturus was the first star

9:55 PM ADT (Visual)
2nd star was Spica (Virgo) then 3rd star Algieba (Leo)

10:07 PM ADT (Visual)
- 3 stars in the Dipper handle - Alkaid, Mizar (did not visually see the double), Alioth 

10:15 PM ADT(Visual) 
- Castor & Pollux showed just above the flat top of the pine tree on shore. Navi (Cassiopeia) was seen and quickly disappeared in the trees on the NW end of our island.

It was here that I decided to fire up the telescope. Alignment is still a skill I'm learning with this scope. In the first attempt, I used Castor and Arcturus. Thought I had it operational but then lost the connectivity between the scope and my phone. Bah. Humbug. It was also about this time that the sky got brighter in spurts; we attributed it to the fireflies or to lightning way off in the distance that may/may not be approaching us. Turns out it was the thunderstorm in St. John, NB that was lighting up our skies intermittently. (Note: we only had a slight drizzle overnight as a result of that storm passing through.)

10:39 PM ADT (Visual)
Slight occasional breezes. Fireflies are now frequently making their presence known in the trees. 
- all 7 stars of the Big Dipper were very easily located
- Leo's Regulus plus 5 stars of the 'sickle' were seen above the trees on the island across from us. 

Ursa Major
Time: 10:52 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 32, 33
The Dipper was so clear on the NW horizon. After identifying Muscida, I decided to identify the remaining stars of the constellation especially since the bear was literally pointing down towards the horizon. The stars were so clear, I was able to do this visually; no binoculars were required. I used the star chart to identify the names of the stars I sketched. I remembered the Talitha and Talitha Borealis from the observations of the 2020 comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) while at Dr. Roy Bishop's cottage. 

It was here that I decided to make another attempt, this time with Antares in Scorpius and UMa's Dubhe. Success! And no lost connectivity. Consequently, I decided now was the Messier time. I knew there were three near Antares so had the scope go to Antares.

M19 / NGC 6273
Time: 11:33 PM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: SvBONY 30-10mm zoom 
S&T Chart: 56, 58
I began with the 30mm aspect of the eyepiece then gradually increased the magnification 5mm at a time. At 10mm, I saw the cluster east of Antares. The cluster had a dense core but not as dense as that of M62. A nebulous star field was discernible for a little distance from the core. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M019 / NGC 6273 - June 5, 2024.

M62 / NGC 6266 / Flickering Globular Cluster
Time: 11:54 PM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Tele Vue 9mm Nagler Japan
S&T Chart: 56, 58
Not changing the eyepiece from the previous Messier object, I slewed the scope from M19 towards ε Sco to find this cluster. It had a denser core than M19 but t was not as bright. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M062 / NGC 6266 / Flickering Globular Cluster - June 5, 2024.

It was while I was sketching M62 that three owls hooted - 2 Barred Owls sounded their recognizable "who-cook-for-you" whereas the third owl spoke a language other than English. I did not recognize its hoot - maybe a different genus of owl or maybe a youngster. The peepers started up again after a period of quiet. Then a coyote howled; we joked that it was complaining about the owl and peeper noise that made sleep impossible. The fireflies never disappeared and gave us smiles many times throughout this session.

M80 / NGC 6093
Time: 12:10 AM ADT
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: Tele Vue 9mm Nagler Japan
S&T Chart: 56
This cluster is located above and on the opposite side of Antares in Scorpius from M4. It had a very dense core and was better seen with averted vision. For more details, refer to Messier Catalogue - M080 / NGC 6093. 

12:30 PM ADT
Two loons were calling out across the Lake as I was sketching M80. Love their call; it's such a soothing sound in the dark. The constellation Leo was just above the island across from our beach at a 45° angle to the horizon, making it look like Leo was doing a face plant. Boötes was still quite high in the sky with Arcturus very much evident.

M22 / NGC 6656 / Great Sagittarius Cluster
Time: 12:42 AM ADT
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
S&T Chart: 67, 69
I noticed the Teapot for the first time this evening. It was almost flat on the south horizon. Using the lid star (Kaus Borealis), I used my binoculars to locate the Y-shaped star formation and M22 adjacent and to its east. It appeared as a small grey fuzzy.

M7 / NGC 6475 / Ptolemy Cluster Time: 1:07 AM ADT Equipment: Visual, Binoculars, Telescope Eyepieces: 9mm, 30mm-10mm S&T Chart: 67, 69 I realized the Teapot was high enough on the horizon that I should be able to find M7. Found its location with averted vision with no aids, then used my binoculars to look at this glorious open cluster. With the 9mm eyepiece in the scope, I slewed the scope down about 15° to the area about 5° west of Kaus Australis. I discovered that only the core of the cluster could be seen at this higher magnification. I exchanged it for the zoom eyepiece and beginning at 10mm gradually increased it to 30mm - and that is when all of the cluster could be seen. Unfortunately....

I noticed the horizons were beginning to get murky and clouds were filling in our overhead view. I had pencil and clipboard in hand to begin sketching this wondrous object when the clouds completely covered M7 and the Teapot. Skies at the zenith were now more cloud covered with no hope of a large sucker hole to get any views of any other entity. Disappointment - but glad to have achieved what I did.

Details

Created: 05 June 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 317

• General Observing Session
• Constellation
• Messier Object

Location: SCO
Date: 2024-05-30
Time: 12:04 AM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 56, 58
Instrument: EXOSTAR 80ED
Eyepiece: SvBony 10mm-30mm eyepiece with star diagonal
Magnification: x60
Transparency: Very Good (4)
Seeing: Very Good (4)

It was very easy to slew from Antares to find this cluster. Not as dense as M3, i.e., no dense core. Had to use averted vision to sketch. Although no identifiable core, there were a few bright stars near the centre and southern portion of the cluster. However, I could sketch their exact location. There were three stars forming a triangle that I could not identify.

Constellation:  Scorpius Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 5.8 Distance: 7.2 kly Size: 26.3'

Details

Created: 30 May 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 263

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Constellations: Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Corvus, Scorpius
Asterism: Keystone of Hercules
Messier: M3, M4, M13
Stars: Alpheca, Antares, Arcturus, b Coma Berenices, Dschubba, Graffias, e Sco, n Sco, p Sco, r Sco, γ Sco, δ Sco, σ Sco (Al Nayat), Shaula
HD Stars: 119496, 119686, 119748, 120049, 120364, 120618, 147703, 147743, 147955
HR Stars: 5145
SAO Stars: 82955

Attempted to find without Success:
M68, M10 & M12 (Ophiuchus was still in the trees)

Identified, not Observed:
Big Dipper, Boötes (noted the shape could be found but did not identify specific stars), Cassiopeia (only partly visible in the northern trees), Crater, Hydra

Location: SCO
Date: 2024-05-29/30
Time: 10:00 PM - 1:30 AM ADT
Equipment: Visual, EvoStar 80 ED telescope, 10x42 IS Binoculars
Eyepiece: SvBony 10mm-30mm
Temperature: 16° C - 15° C
SQM: 21.10 - 19.58
Transparency: Very Good (4) but deteriorated to Poor
Seeing: Very Good (4) but deteriorated to Poor

I had two astro-imagers with me - Jerry and Bob. No wind and absolutely cloudless skies until 1:30 AM when clouds and/or fog rolled in around the periphery of the viewing field. We had actual cloud cover when we were about to leave SCO - something that had not been forecasted. Throughout the observing session, we stated our frustration of the satellites criss-crossing the skies and spoiling our views (visual, binocular, telescope, camera).

I spent the first part of the evening setting up and getting reacquainted with my telescope and getting re-oriented to the SCO skies. 

M3 Time: 10:26 PM - 11:04 PM Equipment: EvoStar 80 ED telescope Eyepiece: 10mm-30mm S&T Chart: 43, 44 I have located this one in the past but wanted to make a definitive entry in the Messier Catalogue. I had the scope go-to Arcturus that was very bright in this night's sky. From there I slewed towards β Coma Berenices. Given the smaller aperture and slower speed motor, it took a while; I became frustrated at my lack of ability to manoeuvre the scope in the correct direction. Eventually, I thought to use SkySafariPro to identify M3's surrounding star field. I then used the 30mm feature of the eyepiece to provide a wider FOV to locate M3. Once located, I slowly increased the magnification all the while refocusing and ensuring M3 was centred. Had to use averted vision to get a better view of this object. M3 has a very dense/bright core in which individual stars could not be resolved, but the core did take most of the area of the cluster. As the density became less towards the cluster's edge, the star field looked nebulous.

Following the frustration with finding M3, I decided to use my eyes to identify constellations and to orient myself to the SCO skies again. I knew what constellations in which the Messier objects I wanted to view tonight were located but just had to see whether or not they were "up" and not blocked by our tree lines.

Corvus
Time: 11:30 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 47
All five of the main stars were easily identified above as string of stars that I later discovered belonged to the constellation Hydra.

M4 / NGC 6121 / Spider Globular Cluster Time: 12:04 AM - 12:11 AM Equipment: Visual, binoculars, EvoStar 80 ED telescope Eyepiece: 10mm-30mm eyepiece S&T Chart: 56, 58 Scorpius had come past the trees and was now quite visible except for her tail stars. Antares was visibly red. I knew from past experience that M4 formed a triangle with Antares and σ Sco (Al Nayat). I used my binoculars to affirm I still knew how to find it. With the telescope, I slewed west towards Scorpius from the treeline to find the very bright and red Antares. Using averted vision, I was able to locate M4. It was quite diffuse; it did not have an identifiable dense core that M3 had. There were a few bright stars in the centre that could be seen but I could not sketch there exact location.

Corona Borealis, Keystone of Hercules, M13
Time: 12:22 AM
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
S&T Chart:52, 53, 54, 55
I truly enjoy finding Corona Borealis with its unmistakable bowl shape. All 7 stars were readily found somewhat high in the sky. Alpheca (α Sco) was the brightest by far. Surprisingly this was followed by γ Sco then δ Sco. The other stars were rather dull in comparison. I then visually located the Keystone of Hercules. Using the stars of the Corona to point the way to M13, I used my binoculars to find the small grey fuzzy - liked finding an old friend in the crowd.

While in the process of packing up, Bob and I did a quick "what's up". I pointed out Shaula in Scorpius that was now visible. We noted how high the Keystone of Hercules was in the sky and also noted the skies were deteriorating along all the edges of SCO's FOV. 

Details

Created: 29 May 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 254

• General Observing Session
• Constellation
• Messier Object

Location: SCO
Date: 2024-05-29
Time: 10:26 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 44
Instrument: EXOSTAR 80ED, 10mm-30mm eyepiece with star diagonal
Magnification: x60
Transparency: Very Good (4)
Seeing: Very Good (4)
SQM: 21.1
Temperature: 16º C

I had found this in the past with binoculars. Tonight I had the scope go to Arcturus then I slewed towards Coma Berenices. I used SkySafariPro to help identify the star fields on the way there. I began with 30mm eyepiece so that the FOV would in essence be large. Once found, I centred M3 and increased the magnification to x60 with the 10mm feature of the eyepiece.

M3 has a very dense core and its brightness finished very quickly outside fo the core. Had to use averaged vision at times.

Constellation:  Canes Venatici Type: Globular Cluster Magnitude: 5.9 Distance: 33.9 kly Size: 16.2'

Details

Created: 29 May 2024

Last Updated: 05 October 2024

Hits: 292

• Messier Object
• Messier Catalogue

Objects: Daly, Garner, Democritus, Montes Alpes, Vallis Alpes, Mare Frigoris, Mare Imbrium, Altai Scarp, Piccolomini, Tacitus, Ptolomaeus, Alphonsus, Arzachel, Purbach, Werner, Regiomnontanus, Walter, Alciensus
IWLOP Objects: L5: Garner & Democritus

Location: Home
Date: 2024-05-15
Time: 9:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT, Fountain binoculars with 20mm eyepiece
Magnification: x120
Temperature: 11° C
Seeing: Good (3)
Transparency: Good (3)

Jerry and I were in the back yard planning an evening of experimentation with the newly-acquired Fountain Binocular eyepiece. I had plans for another IWLOP season as well. Impressed with the binocular eyepiece but also have to be mindful of the different settings required for Jerry's and my eyes.

I used the binoculars to complete the IWLOP L5: Gartner & Democrius. With that eyepiece in place, I wanted to show Jerry a few cool features that were very readily and clearly seen.

1- With Democritus and Garner in view, we could plainly see Vallis Alpes cutting through Montes Alpes. The mountains showed their ruggedness with highlighted peaks and long shadows on Mare Imbrium.

2- Altai Scarp was bright white, even against the sun-drenched surroundings. The SE end was at the edge of Piccolomini and arced irregularly northward with no real end spot. Tacitus was to its west/north end.

3- Near Altain Scarp were "sets" of craters that are fun to see:
         a-  Ptolomaeus, Alphonsus, Arzachel - The latter's central peak was very evident.
         b- Area of the Lunar X - Purbach, Werner, Regiomnontanus, Walter, Alciensus. Much of their crater rims were lit but no sign of the "X".

Also refer to: IWLOP L5 (Libration Object): Gartner & Democritus

Details

Created: 15 May 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 319

• General Observing Session

Named for Oswald Avery (1877-1995), born in Halifax, NS. US Physician and DNA researcher.

A bowl-shaped impact crater on the edge of Mare Smythii [L3], west of Haldane. Former name Gilbert U. Libration Object.

Diameter: 9 km     Rukl: 49 & IV

Objects: Avery, Haldane, Mare Smythii

Location: Home
Date: 2024-05-15
Time: 10:25 PM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: 20mm Founder binocular eyepiece
Magnification: x120
Temperature: 11° C
Seeing: Fair (2)
Transparency: Fair (2)

Because of the liberation, Avery did not appear to be round. It was a small crater west of the longer Haldane, and it was so exciting to realize that little crater was the object of this search. Don't think it was very deep but that perception may have been due to the libration and the amount of illumination.

Details

Created: 15 May 2024

Last Updated: 24 September 2024

Hits: 239

• IWLOP

Objects: Gartner, Democritus, Cusanus, Petermann
Others Identified: Kane, Galle, Aristoteles, Vallis Alpes, Montes Alpes, W. Bond, Archytas, Protagoras, Eudoxus, Burg

Date: 2024-05-15
Location: Home
Time: 10:25 PM ADT
Equipment: 10” Meade SCT
Eyepiece: SvBony 20mm 70º FMC with lit reticule
Magnification: x120
Seeing: Fair (2)
Transparency: Fair (2)
SQM: not recorded
Temp: 11º C

Moon now in Leo. This was the first time I was using by Founder binocular eyepiece. I was impressed, but do have to be mindful to getting the binoculars set up for my eyes versus Jerry's eyes.

C1: Democritus was on the shore of Mare Frigoris above Gartner. Democritus had a very high central peak, was circular in appearance, had a light-coloured floor compared to Gartner, and its rim was visible around the entire crater. Gartner had no rim to the SE and only a little to the SW. The remaining crater walls appeared tall. Its floor was dark, similar to that of Mare Frigoris.

Note: Libration was not favourable to view Cusanus and Petermann.

Details

Created: 15 May 2024

Last Updated: 21 September 2024

Hits: 394

• IWLOP

Objects: Apollonius, Daly
Other Objects: Apollonius F, Fermicus

Location: Home
Date: 2024-05-14
Time: 9:30 PM
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: Explore Scientific 12mm 92° FOV
Magnification: x209
Temperature: 13° C
Seeing: Good (3)
Transparency: Good (3)

The atmosphere had slight turbulence so this crater came in and out of clarity. It appeared as a white-rimmed double crater then realized it was Daly with Apollonius F.

I looked at my lunar maps to find/locate it between Apollonius and Fermicus, and moved NW to the former. I found two craters in my slewing SE of Mare Crisium, then recognized that one was Daly.

Details

Created: 14 May 2024

Last Updated: 24 September 2024

Hits: 250

• IWLOP

Objects: Rheita, Vallis Rheita, Steinheil, Watt, Reimarus , Vega, Furnerius, Fraunhaufer, Lyot, Lyot H, Pierescius, Brisbane, Brisane Z, Rima Hase, Hanno, Oken, Mare Australe, Metius, Fabricus, Janssen, Rimae Jannsen, Young, Jean
Moon Phase:  Waxing Crescent (35.6% illumination)

Date: 2024-05-13
Location: Home
Time: 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Temp: not recorded
Equipment: 10” Meade SCT
Eyepieces: Explore Scientific 4.7mm eyepiece to Tele Vue 40mm Plössl eyepiece, x2 Barlow
Seeing: Good (3)  
Transparency: Good (3)  

No breeze and clear skies. Orange-brown smoke from Alberta fires could be seen as two bands in the WSW horizon. Jerry had left for SCO to work on the 8" scope but not before setting up the 10" Meade SCT and refreshing my memory on its use. It had been a while since I had last worked on the RASC IWLOP and I had hoped to get:

• #15: Promontorium Lavinum and Olivium
• #21: Sinus Concordia
• #26: Rupes Cauchy and Cauchy Domes

I very quickly realized I had picked the wrong Q-day! Although it was easy enough to find the area the objects were located, they were too illuminated to really observe their features.

What does one then do? You play with the various eyepieces from 4.7mm to 40mm and x2 Barlow. Focusing with the Barlow was a challenge! I then realized that the SE limb was librated so looked at what was showing (i.e., what I could identify). It helped to use the mirror-image S&T Lunar map, not the standard one. 

What was identified:

1. Rheita
2. Vallis Rheita
3. Steinheil
4. Watt
5. Reimarus
6. Vega
7. Furnerius
8. Fraunhaufer
9. Lyot
10. Lyot H
11. Pierescius
12. Brisbane
13. Brisane Z
14. Rima Hase
15. Hanno
16. Oken
17. Mare Australe
18. Metius
19. Fabricus
20. Janssen
21. Rimae Jannsen
22. Young
23. Jean

Details

Created: 13 May 2024

Last Updated: 24 September 2024

Hits: 243

• Lunar Session

Sun
Moon

This entry in my observing log not only covers what we saw at the eclipse but also family fun leading up to the event.

Location: Texas Wine Collective, Blumenthal, TX (near Fredericksburg)
Date: 2024-04-08
Time: 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM CDT
Equipment: 
    a- Visual (with solar glasses)
    b- 10x42 IS Binoculars (with solar filter)
    c- EVOSTAR 80ED with a star diagonal plus SvBony 10mm-30mm zoom eyepiece (set at 20mm)
    d- ZWO SeeStar S50 (Brady)
Temperature: 26° C - 23° C

We arrived in Austin TX on April 5 (30° C) to visit our nephew Brady and to take in the solar eclipse.  It was a wonderful excuse for our families to get together. Barbara and Barry arrived just 20 minutes (not 4 hours as planned) before us. Barry apparently made a wrong turn and it wasn't until they started seeing advertisements for New Orleans that they realized they were headed east not west. After unpacking our cars, we spent the remainder of the day relaxing on Brady's deck, and usually with a wine glass or cold cider in hand. Great start to our time together!

On April 6, we headed to Driftwood TX to one of our favourite restaurants - the Salt Lick Texas BBQ. We weren't disappointed! It was as good as we remembered it from our previous visit six years ago. Their smoke pit could be viewed as you walked into the main seating area, their smoked sausages, turkey, brisket and ribs on display. Your choices of meat came with coleslaw, potato salad and baked beans, all made on site (as was their BBQ sauce). So yummy!

On the way home, Brady took us past a field of Bluebonnets (either Lupinous texensis or Lupinous subcarnosus that are native to Texas) that very much looked like our northern Lupine.

On April 7, following a tour of his home gardens, Brady treated us to homemade pizza baked in his outdoor pizza oven. Each of us decided what meat and veggies we wanted on our personal pizza then got to enjoy it fresh and hot out of the oven. What a treat!

Later that evening, in honour of the eclipse taking place the next day, my favourite pianist/composer, Rachel Lafond, and a collaborator and fellow pianist, Scott D. Davis, held a private concert in her home. It was a wonderful evening of humour and such beautiful music. If you closed your eyes as they played, you could 'see' what the music was saying. Rachel introduced 3 pieces about the decision to start and to continue a personal relationship; it was emotional. Scott introduced a piece he wrote following a backcountry hike (alone) up to a bare mountaintop then realized a lightning/thunderstorm was approaching. You could hear/feel the storm approach and overtake him. An evening of memories to treasure forever. 

April 8. Eclipse Day! With telescopes, binoculars, cameras and picnic basket packed, we headed to the Texas Wine Collective where we would be potentially joined by 495 others at the site. Traffic was much lighter than anticipated so we made good time. The Collective was very well organized and in no time we were parked and had selected a place to set up. Brady had his SeeStar set up; I had my EvoStar 80ED up and tracking the sun and had binoculars at the ready. Barry and Barbara had solar glasses and binoculars. While waiting for the Sun to be Mooned, we met two small groups adjacent to us. One was a couple from California who had flown in and the other was a family from New Jersey who drove down; the former had binoculars and the latter had a telescope set up. It was the first total eclipse for all of them so provided a little info as to what to expect and when.

My telescope was set to track the Sun but the cloud cover obscured the view at times. Leading up to the event, we certainly were able to use our solar glasses to safely determine where the sunspots were located. Then I used my telescope and binoculars to sketch their location - interesting difference in orientation. As seen in the perspectives sketched, the large sunspots were just off centre and a pair of sunspots were near the edge of the limb - binocular view on left, telescope view on right.

The large central sunspots were covered by the Moon at 1:01 PM CDT. AS it was getting darker and closer to totality, a group of "cheerleaders" began to chant in their attempt to chase the clouds away - too bad it didn't work. Totality was at 1:35 PM. It was then that the place burst out in cheers. The astronomer in attendance from the University in Austin must have informed the group as to when that was occurring.  The Collective had made sure their lights would not come on during totality but the adjacent property's entrance gate lights came on and beautifully accentuated the darkness.

Because of the increased cloud cover, I decided to view post-totality with my binoculars as it was becoming increasingly difficult to see the sun through the clouds in the EvoStar. 

Thankfully, Brady caught totality in a short time-lapse captured with his telescope that included an excellent view of the prominences. It became very dark at totality and the temperature dropped at least 3 degrees or more. What we didn't see at totality was the corona, the diamond rings, nor Bailey's Beads. However, the eclipse effects were felt physically and emotionally. Although the last contact was to be at 2:58 PM CDT, the total cloud cover convinced us it was time to pack up 45 minutes early. Had to take a small detour because of traffic heading back into Austin but otherwise an uneventful trip. Once back at the house, we broke open Nova Scotian Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 wine and regaled our experiences with the eclipse. Not what we had hoped to see but none-the-less an experience we enjoyed. 

So, where to next? Spain in 2026? Australia-New Zealand in 2028? The planning begins.

Details

Created: 08 April 2024

Last Updated: 21 September 2024

Hits: 350

• General Observing Session
• Eclipse

Comet: 12P/Pons Brook
Constellation: Aries
Stars: AF Arie, k Ari, l Ari, q Ari, 10 Ari, 11 Ari, 14 Ari, 15 Ari, 17 Ari, 20 Ari, 21 Ari, Hamal
HD Stars: 13649, 13825
HR Stars: 655, 676

Location: home
Date: 2024-04-01
Time: 8:57 PM ADT
Equipment: 10x42 IS Binoculars
Transparency: Very Good (2)
Seeing: Very Good (2)

We received the following email from Dr. Roy Bishop via the RASC Halifax Centre Discussion List:

If you have not yet seen Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, early this evening is an excellent opportunity.
Last evening the comet was less than a degree to the left of mag 2 Hamal (alpha Arietis), making a pretty pair, side-by-side low in the WNW sky as darkness settled in. This evening the comet will be further from Hamal, but still less than two degrees to the left of the star. With Hamal flagging it, the comet will be easy to locate in binoculars.

Pons-Brooks displays a visible tail about half a degree long, extending straight up from the horizon, detectable in binoculars, and obvious in my 444-mm telescope last evening. The concentration of its coma was about 6 on the Levy scale (see p. 265 of your Handbook). I estimated the magnitude of the comet to be 4.5.

Comet Pons-Brooks has a 70-year period, and given the clouds of the next few days, and evening twilight extending ever later day-by-day, this evening around 9 p.m. may be your last chance to see it. You will need a low WNW horizon, for at 9 p.m.Hamal’s altitude is not much more than 12 or 13 degrees. Start looking for Hamal by 8:30 or 8:45.

Because Roy gave us the heads up, Jerry and I hurried to our bedroom window with binoculars in hand (much warmer than going outside) and looked WNW - et voila!

The round fuzzy was adjacent to Hamal in Aries, as promised. While viewing it, I sketched the star field. So exciting to see it so well; being slightly elevated above the ground level of our backyard certainly helped us to observe the comet.

Details

Created: 01 April 2024

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 284

• General Observing Session
• Comet

Planet: Jupiter
Stars: Enif, δ Equuleus
Messier Objects: M15
Asterism: Square of Pegasus

Identified, not Observed : Equuleus, Pegasus

Location: SCO
Date: 2023-12-16
Time: 6:30 PM -10:00 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars, SkyWatcher Evostar 80ED
Eyepieces: Antares Plössl 15mm
Temperature
Transparency: not recorded
Seeing: not recorded

Jerry and I were at SCO with Bob Russell, and Blair McDonald. 

Jupiter
Time: 6:51 PM 
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
I located the planet visually then used binoculars to identify and locate the 4 Galilean moons. Found!

   

M15
Time: 8:00 PM
Equipment: Visual, telescope
Eyepiece: Antares Plössl 15mm
S&T Chart: 74, 75
I located the Square of Pegasus visually then slewed the telescope towards it. I knew the object formed a triangle with Enif (in Pegasus) and δ Equuleus. It was a circular cluster with a compact centre. Its nebulosity extended out the diameter of the dense core. 

Details

Created: 16 December 2023

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 252

• General Observing Session
• Planet

Constellations: Centaurus, Corona Borealis, Leo, Libra, Scorpius
Asterism: Big Dipper, Scorpius False Comet, Spring Triangle
Stars: Alkaid, Alcor-Mizar, Alioth, Alpheca, Antares, Arcturus, Brachium, α Centauri, y Centauri, z Centauri, 2 Centauri, θ Centauri,ψ Centauri, θ Coronae Borealis, γ Coronae Borealis, δ Coronae Borealis, ε Coronae Borealis, ι Coronae Borealis, Denebola,Dschubba, Graffias, Marfik, Menkent, Nusakan, μ¹ Scorpii, μ² Scorpii, π Scorpii, σ Scorpii, ζ¹ Scorpii, ζ² Scorpii, V973 Scorpii,Shaula, Spica, Vindamiatrix, Zubeneschemali
NGC: 6231
HR Stars: 5357, 6272, 6441
Clusters: Collinder 316
Messier Objects: M10, M12
Planets: Mars, Venus

Could not Find: M4, Asellus Tartius (κ Bootis), λ Bootis, Asellus Primus (θ Bootis)

Identified, not Observed: Canis Venatici, Leo, Ophiuchus, Virgo

Location: Site 15 on Big Muise Island, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Date: 2023-06-22/23
Time: 8:00 PM - 1:15 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars
Transparency: not recorded
Seeing: not recorded

This was the second night of our Annual Big Muise Island Star Party at Site 15. Jerry was setting up his cameras for time lapse while Dave and I set up our chairs and waited with binoculars in hand. A light wind disappeared by midnight. No clouds throughout this session.

Moon, Venus (in Leo) Time: 8:00 PM Equipment: Visual Venus as now 8 o'clock to the Moon and about 10° away. It was a beautiful sunset with a lone loon calling in the distance.

9:48 PM
Arcturus appeared in the southwest.

10:00 PM
Antares was twinkling in the southeast above the far end of our island. We also noticed Spica shining below Arcturus in the SW.

10:05
Three stars in the Dipper Handle made their appearance - Alkaid, Alcor-Mizar and Alioth.

Mars! Venus! Time: 10:08 PM Equipment: Visual Very tiny and very red! It was half way and just below the line between the Moon and Venus.

Scorpius Time: 10:12 PM Equipment: Visual, Binoculars S&T Chart: 58, 58 Antares was still quite bright. Could also identify Graffias, Dschubba, π Scorpii, σ Scorpii. However, could not see M4. The tail section was still behind trees at the end of the island.

Leo, Spring Triangle
Time: 10:17 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T chart (Leo): 34, 35
Denebola was just noticed in the W-SW. All three starts of the Spring Triangle were now visible - Arcturus (α Boötis), Spica (α Virginis) and Denebola (β Leonis). Interestingly, Vindemiatrix (ε Virginis) is the centre star in that triangle of constellations.

Libra Time: 10:30 PM Equipment: Visual S&T Chart: 46, 57 Brachium (σ Librae) and Zubenschemali (β Librae) were one above the other in a vertical line. Both were very faint.

Big Dipper
Time: 10:38 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 31, 32, 33, 43
All 7 stars of the Big Dipper were now visible in the NW.

Centaurus
Time: 10:51 PM
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
S&T Chart: 48, 59
This is a constellation that one never expects to see this far north - but there it was. Dave was excited to see it in the S-SW. Menkent (θ Centauri) was viewed with binoculars to determine the star field nearby. There were 3 stars in a line to the south - α Centauri, ψ Centauri and HR 5357. There were three stars in a triangle northwest to this star - 2 Centauri, y Centauri and z Centauri. Very exciting to see this constellation that I first saw when in the Atacama Desert all those years ago.

Corona Borealis
Time: 11:00 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 53, 55
All 7 stars of this constellation were located - Alpheca (α Coronae Borealis), Nusakan (β Coronae Borealis), θ Coronae Borealis, γ Coronae Borealis, δ Coronae Borealis, ε Coronae Borealis, ι Coronae Borealis. Normally I would use this constellation to locate Hercules and M13 - but not tonight.

False Comet Time: 12:02 AM - 12:20 AM Equipment: Binoculars S&T Chart: 58 I directed my attention to a specific part of Scorpius' tail known as the False Comet. I had first been introduced to this asterism when in San Pedro de Atacama (by Dave, by the way) and he was now observing it and its various components again with me. Collinder 316: Saw 7 bright stars with numerous others not as bright in a nebulous background. HR 6272 V973 Scorpii: near the 'border' of Collinder 316.  NGC 6231: below Collinder 316. ζ1 and ζ2 Scorpii: Below NGC 6231; the stars were parallel to the horizon.

M10 & M12
Time:  12:35 AM
Equipment: Binoculars
S&T Chart: 54, 56
Ophiuchus was up high enough that I thought to try locating these two Messier objects. M12 was located by starting at Marfik and heading southward. M10 was found about another FOV away. Both were small, grey fuzzies. Happy I could find them both.

Libra
Time: 12:45 AM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 46, 57
All 6 stars of Libra are now visible. I had not realized until now how close the 'scales' were to Scorpius.

Details

Created: 22 June 2023

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 271

• General Observing Session
• Constellation
• Asterism
• Planet

Constellations: Boötes, Centaurus, Scorpius 
Asterism: Great Diamond/Diamond of Virgo, Spring Triangle, Teapot
Stars: Alnasi, Antares, Arcturus, Cor Caroli, Denebola, Deschuba (δ Scorpii), Graffias (β Scorpii), Kaus Borealis, Kaus Media, Menkant (θ Centaurus), Nunki, η Scorpii, Spica, Vindemiatrix
Messier Objects: M7 (Ptolemy Cluster), M8 (Lagoon Nebula), M20 (Trifid Nebula), M21, M22
Planets: Mars, Venus
Moon: Cleomedes, Gang of 4 (Langrenus, Vendelinus, Petavius, Furnerius), Geminus, Mare Crisium

Identified, not Observed :
Canis Venatici, Leo, Virgo

Location: Site 15 on Big Muise Island, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Date: 2023-06-21
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:30 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars
Transparency: not recorded
Seeing: not recorded

Dave and I were in our camp chairs with binoculars at one end of the beach while Jerry was at the other end setting up his camera gear. There was a light breeze - enough to keep the mosquitoes away!

Moon, Venus, Mars
Time: 9:19 PM
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
The Moon and Venus were up fairly high in the skies. Visible were Mare Crisium, Gang of 4 (Langrenus, Vendelinus, Petavius, Furnerius), Cleomedes, and Geminus. Earthshine was evident on the lunar surface.

Venus was 8 o'clock to the lowest part of the crescent Moon. Marrs was at 10 o'clock to Venus and higher than the top of the crescent Moon.

Boötes
Time: 9:30 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 42, 44, 53, 55
Arcturus shone brightly and was easily spotted. I looked for and found the kite-shape of this constellation but did not identify the individual stars.

Scorpius, Centaurus
Time: 10:19 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 56, 58
The reddish Antares was twinkling  in the southern horizon. Could readily find Graffias (β Scorpii), Dschubba (δ Scorpii), and η Scorpii. At this point, I did not search for other stars within the constellation. It was at this point of the evening that Dave excitedly pointed out Menkant (θ Centauri) just above the horizon. Menkant is part of the shoulder of the Centaur. What surprised us is that Centaurus is considered a "southern" constellation so to see it here was a wonderful surprise.

Spring Triangle, Great Diamond/Diamond of Virgo
Time: 10:25 PM
Equipment: Visual
Dave pointed out two asterisms. Arcturus (α Boötis), Spica (α Virginis) and Denebola (β Leonis) comprise the Spring Triangle. Interestingly, Vindemiatrix (ε Virginis) is the central star in that triangle of constellations. Denebola (β Leonis), Arcturus (α Boötis), Spica (α Virginis) and Cor Caroli (α Canum Venaticorum) comprise the Great Diamond. Two asterisms in one part of our observable skies! Who knew?

10:45 PM - 11:30 PM
It was during this time that for some reason I stopped recording times of observations, so here's the list. 

Teapot
M22 / NGC 6566
M8 / NGC 6523 / Lagoon Nebula
M20 / NGC 6514 / Trifid Nebula
M21 / NGC 6531 / Webb's Cross
M7 / NGC 6475 / Ptolemy Cluster
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
S&T Chart: 67, 69
The Teapot asterism was above the horizon about 10° and its base was almost perfectly parallel to the horizon. All 8 stars were easily seen. 

I used binoculars to find M22 by starting at Kaus Borealis (the Teapot lid star) and moving at bout a 45° angle to find a small group of stars that were Y-shaped, then moved a little further out to find the small grey fuzz of M22. 

I then used the stars forming the spout - Kaus Media (δ Sagittarii) and Alnasl (γ2 Sagittarii) - to find M8, M20 and M21. Just viewed them long enough to recognize the binocular-view shape and star composition. Did not sketch.

I then went to the base of the Teapot and used the line from Nunki (star in the Teapot handle) to Alnasl (star in the spout) to continue outward to find M7. I was not disappointed! The Ptolemy Cluster is a glorious open cluster - bright and many stars.

Details

Created: 21 June 2023

Last Updated: 02 September 2024

Hits: 245

• General Observing Session
• Messier Object

Comet C2022 E3 (ZTF) - in Auriga
Asterisms: Leaping Minnow, Little Dipper
Stars:  Al Kab, Capella, 1 Aur, 2 Aur, ω Aur
HD Stars: 31550
HR Stars: 1573
Moon: 94.8% Waning Gibbous in the SE near Leo

Identified, not Observed & Not entered into Logbook or database:
Auriga

Location: Home
Date: 2023-02-07
Time: 11:20 PM - 11:40 PM AST
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars
Temperature: -6° C
SQM: not recorded

Clear skies. I went out this evening with the intent of only viewing the comet. Dave Chapman had posted it was near ω Aur so started the search with my  my binoculars, going downwards beginning halfway along the line from Capella to Al Kab. I found a round pale smudge - the comet - above the star that was 1 of 3 forming a curve (HR1573, 2 Aur, 1 Aur).

Details

Created: 07 February 2023

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 267

• General Observing Session
• Comet

Comet: C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
Constellations: Auriga, Cassiopeia, Gemini, Leo, Orion, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor
Stars: Algieba, Adhafera, Anwar al Farkadain, Alifa al Frakadain, 19 Aur beside 18 Aur, 17 Aur beside IQ Aur, 16 Aur beside HD 34201, and 14 Aur, Capella, Chertan, Denebola, Kochab, η Leo, Pherkad, Polaris, Ras Elased Borealis, Ras Elased Australis, Regulus, 3 Umi, 11 Umi, TT UMi, Urodelus, Yildum, Zosma
HD Stars: 133086
Messier Objects: M36 & M38 (in Auriga)
Asterisms: Leaping Minnow (in Auriga), Winter Circle

Location: Home
Date: 2023-01-27
Time: 11:30 PM - 11:55 PM ADT
Instrument: Visual + Binocular 10x42 IS
Transparency: Average (3)
Seeing:  Average (3)
Temperature: 7˚ C
SQM: 19.56 - 19.58

Windless and no clouds.

The promise of a clear night was realized and Jerry was already taking time-lapse of the Comet. So, with clipboard, paper and pencils, red light to clip to the clipboard for seeing what I sketched (thanks, Melody), and my binoculars, I headed out to join him in our back yard. 

First thing that came into view the moment I opened our back door was Orion, high in the sky above our tree line and its bright stars very evident in the dark skies. With Orion so high, I looked for the full Winter Circle - found! Turned about 45˚ to locate Cassiopeia, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. The latter constellation was the one of primary interest given the comet wasn't too far away from Kochab. The only stars I could see in the Little Dipper were Pherkad, Kochab and Polaris (mag 2.0); with averted vision, I could see (imagined I saw?) Urodelus and Yildum in the handle and the other two stars of the dipper (Anwar al Farkadain, Alifa al Frakadain) - but they were very faint.

Using my 10x42 IS binoculars, I located Pherkad (mag 3.0) and Kochab (mag 2.0), noting 11 UMi (mag 5.0) next to Pherkad and HD133086 (mag 6.8) and TT UMi (mag 6.9) next to Kochab. With Kochab in my FOV, I had to go up just bit and to my right (east) to find it. A fuzzy cottontail, no tail with this equipment could be discerned. I then used my garden planting table as my easel to sketch it.

Using my 10x42 IS binoculars, I located Pherkad (mag 3.0) and Kochab (mag 2.0), noting 11 UMi (mag 5.0) next to Pherkad and HD133086 (mag 6.8) and TT UMi (mag 6.9) next to Kochab. With Kochab in my FOV, I had to go up just bit and to my right (east) to find it. A fuzzy cottontail, no tail with this equipment could be discerned. I then used my garden planting table as my easel to sketch it. It was then that I turned my attention to other sights. First was the 5 stars of Cassiopeia above our greenhouse. I thought, "Perfect! I can easily find Andromeda." Wrong (and disappointing)! Andromeda was lower than thought and lost in the light pollution of our neighbour's backyard light that can be obscured by our shed and greenhouse if you stand in the right spot.

Oh, well, Auriga is high and I can see it's bright 5 stars, especially Capella. Up with the binoculars to find the asterism Leaping Minnow. Several stars within Auriga comprise the asterism - 19 Aur beside 18 Aur, 17 Aur beside IQ Aur, 16 Aur beside HD 34201, and 14 Aur. All in close proximity. Also close by and located with only a slight adjustment in declination of the binoculars were M38 (Starfish Cluster) and M36 (Pinwheel Cluster). Did not search for M37, nor did I sketch any of the objects just seen. I looked up again at Orion with binoculars to M42. I could see the nebulosity around its four stars but could not discern the two stars within θ1 Orionis and θ2 Orionis as I had January 11 using my 10" Meade SCT.

I then turned 90˚ to the East to see Leo advancing high above the neighbour's roof. Denebola and Regulus as always stood out but I could also readily identify Zosma and Chertan in his hind end and the other "sickle" stars above Regulus (η Leo, Algieba, Adhafera, Ras Elased Borealis, Ras Elased Australis). I tried to find the galaxies below his belly but to no avail.

Getting late and fingers freezing, I called it a night. Hot chocolate, here I come!

Details

Created: 27 January 2023

Last Updated: 02 September 2024

Hits: 733

• General Observing Session
• Constellation
• Comet

Constellations: Cygnus, Orion,
Asterism: Winter Circle 
Messier Objects: M31, M42, M45 (Pleaides), M110
Planets: Jupiter, Mars

Location: Home
Date: 2023-01-12
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM ADT
Instruments: 10" Meade SCT + Binocular 10x42 IS
Eyepieces: 10mm, 25mm, 40mm, Svbony 3mm-8mm zoom eyepiece
Transparency: Average (3)
Seeing:  Average (3)

Good Grief!
Observing in Less than Stellar Conditions

Stage 5: Acceptance Ahh, acceptance.... and the relative calm that ensues. It is what it is. Accept that conditions are poor and just play – and that’s just what I did. I couldn’t get Jupiter’s moons completely focused but at least this time they were just fuzzies and not donuts – Io on one side with Europa, Ganymede and Callisto on the other. I tried my 10mm eyepiece after failure to see Jupiter’s stripes with the 40mm and 25 mm. After staring through the eyepiece for several seconds, I was able to vaguely discern the stripes in variable moments of good seeing and they were almost perfectly aligned with the line of the Galilean moons. Success? Maybe. Having experienced this “success”, I slewed to view the Pleaides, saw Mars as a small red featureless spot centred in my FOV, and then turned my scope to Orion’s M42. I sketched what I saw, assuming it was M42 and other stars and nebula in close proximity.

Now, let’s come back to my morning coffee and reading the February 2023 edition of Astronomy. Stephen James O’Meara, in his article entitled “The Theta Orionis challenge”, challenged us to split Theta1 Orionis and Theta2 Orionis without optical aids. It’s an interesting read but what especially caught my attention was the photo in his article. It was the mirror image of what I saw in my scope and what I had sketched!  Ah-ha, so that’s what I saw! Four stars with one looking elongated (that I initially attributed to the frustrations experienced earlier), 3 bright-ish stars in a line with a fourth less bright forming an equilateral triangle with the two further out, and two stars (one above and one below the quadrilateral). The nebula surrounding it was heart shaped with the quadrilateral side more nebulous than the part covering the first star.

Success!
What I learned from this session is that we as astronomers eventually do succeed when we keep going out into the dark and cold, despite all the grief it gives us while out there. We go back night after night (skies allowing) to observe that special object, to perchance sketch its details or to capture it digitally. It’s a process, one we go through alone or with like-minded others – and there’s always acceptance (at some level) of what we see and how well we see it. Don’t we all go through these stages at some point in our observing careers and doesn’t the memory of it stay with us – success or not?

Details

Created: 12 January 2023

Last Updated: 02 September 2024

Hits: 698

• General Observing Session
• Messier Object

Planets: Jupiter + 4 Galilean Moons, Saturn
Stars: Albireo (β² Cygni, β¹ Cygni)

Location: Home
Date: 2022-10-28
Time: 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars, Evostar 80ED
Eyepieces: Zhumell 4mm, Antares 15mm Plössl , Tele Vue 40mm Plössl 
Magnification: x150, x40, x15
Temperature: 5° C 
SQM: 19.17

Our youngest grandson was here for a sleepover so we set up the telescope to view a few things - Saturn, Jupiter and its moons, and whatever else we could interest him in. Given the temperature was a bit cool, interest was soon lost.

Jupiter
Time: 7:27 PM
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: 40mm
We did see Jupiter and its 4 Galilean Moons; however, we could not make out the Great Red Spot (GRS). Io and Europa were on one side with Ganymede and Callisto on the other.

Saturn (in Capricornus)
Time: 7:45 PM
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: 4mm
We observed Saturn and its rings which were seen as separate from the planet; there appeared to be a 'line shadow' on the planet caused by the rings. One moon was visible; guessing it was Dione.

Abireo (β Cygni)
Time: 8:22 PM
Equipment: Telescope
Eyepiece: all 3
I used the 40 first. The 15mm showed the separation of Albireo into β¹ Cygni (yellow-white in appearance and larger) and β² Cygni (smaller and blue). They were oriented in an up-down perpendicular line with β² Cygni above β¹ Cygni.

Details

Created: 28 October 2022

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 208

• General Observing Session

Stars: Mirach
HD Stars: 965 (double), 983, 1050 (double)
Messier Objects: M13, M31
Planets: Jupiter (+ 4 Galilean Moons), Saturn (Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Titan)

Identified, not Observed & Not entered into Logbook or database: Pisces

Location: Home
Date: 2022-09-29
Time: 10:00 PM - 11:58 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, Evostar 80ED, x2 Barlow, x3 Barlow 
Eyepiece: Tele Vue 40mm Plössl, Antares 15mm, 2" Explore Scientific 12mm with 92° FOV, Meade Super Plössl 9.7mm
Temperature: 11° C - 10° C 
SQM: 19.51 - 19.54
Transparency: not recorded
Seeing: not recorded

Jupiter (in Pisces) (4 observations)
I decided to try different eyepieces and my two Barlows to see what the difference was in the view and in focusing.

Observation 1:
Time: 10:16 PM
Equipment: Evostar 80ED
Eyepiece: Antares 15mm
Magnification: x40
Jupiter and all 4 of its moons were visible. Callisto appeared closest in alignment to the planet and was located at approximately 11 o'clock. 

Observation 2: Time: 10:27 PM Equipment: Evostar 80ED, x2 Barlow Eyepiece: Antares 15mm Magnification: x80 Jupiter and all 4 of its moons were visible. Jupiter's dark stripes appeared as 3 dark bands that were horizontal in the eyepiece.

Observation 3:
Time: 10:35 PM
Equipment: Evostar 80ED + x3 Barlow
Eyepiece: Antares 15mm
Magnification: x120
This was difficult to focus. With the narrower FOV, only 3 of its closest moons were visible. The bands seemed slightly titled towards the horizon. 

Observation 4: Time: 10:41 PM Equipment: Evostar 80ED Eyepiece: 9.7mm Magnification: x62 As part of the eyepiece experiment with Jupiter, I put in the 9.7mm eyepiece. In doing so, the planet could be seen but the moons were not visible. There were also three bright stars in the same FOV. With SkySafariPro, I was able to identify and learn a bit about them. I was quite excited to discover the two set of double stars! HD 965 - Double star, magnitude +8.56 & +12.30. 1476 ly from our solar system. Secondary appears 0.2 arcseconds/90 AU away from its primary. HD 1050 - Double star, magnitude +8.14 & +11.81. 621 ly from our solar system. Secondary appears 6.9 arcseconds/1314 AU away from its primary. HD 983 - Magnitude +8.96 star. 1125 ly from our solar system. This was very faint compared to the other two.

Saturn Time: 10:48 PM Equipment: Evostar 80ED Eyepiece: Meade 9.7mm Magnification: x62 The upper part of Saturn was tilted towards us. The South Pole just peaked out from below the rings. Five of its moons were seen and identified - Dione, Enceladus, Dione, Tethys, and Rhea.

M31 / Andromeda Galaxy

Time: 11:17 PM
S&T Chart Reference: 3, 72
Equipment: Evostar 80ED
Eyepiece: 40mm, 25mm, 15mm with x2 Barlow
Magnification: x15, x24, x80
I attempted to use the go-to to get to Andromeda but that didn't work so well. Consequently, I went to Mirach instead then slewed upwards - found! The 25mm eyepiece gave the galaxy a bit more form, i.e., you could discern the bright/dense core and its elliptical shape. When I used the 15mm with x2 Barlow, the galaxy became a larger grey fuzzy and the elliptical shape could not be seen.

Jupiter & Double Stars in Pisces Time: 11:25 PM Equipment: Evostar 80ED Eyepiece: 2" 12mm with 92° FOV Magnification: x50 Another part of the eyepiece experiment while viewing Jupiter. In doing so, the planet and is quite small but four bright-ish moons appeared. The three bright stars appeared again in the same FOV - HD 983, HD 1050 and HD 965. The bands on Jupiter were much clearer than in previous eyepieces.

M13
Time: 11:40 PM
Equipment: Evostar 80ED
Eyepiece: 2" 12mm with 92° FOV, 9.7
Magnification: x50, x62
I decided to have a quick view of M13 with two of the eyepieces. NOTE: unfortunately, my observing notes did not provide explanations as to how it looked.

Details

Created: 29 September 2022

Last Updated: 20 September 2024

Hits: 218

• General Observing Session
• Planet

Constellations: Cassiopeia, Ophiuchus, Serpens Caput, Serpens Cauda
Asterism: Big Dipper, Coathanger, Leaping Minnow, Summer Triangle, Teapot
Stars: Alkaid, Alcor-Mizar, Alioth, Aldebaran, Altair, Arcturus, 14 Aur, 16 Aur, 17 Aur, 18 Aur, and 19 Aur, Aur, Capella, Deneb, Dubhe, β Elnath, Merak, ζ Ophi, Rasalgethi, Vega
HD Stars: 2993, 3678, 4127, 4902, 5163
SAO Stars: 54053, 54091
Messier Objects: M10, M12, M31/Andromeda, M45/Pleaides, M36/NGC 1960/ Pinwheel Cluster
Clusters: Hyades/Melotte 25
Planets: Jupiter + 4 Galilean Moons, Mars, Saturn + Rhea and Dione
Identified, not Observed & Not entered into Logbook or database:
Aquila, Auriga, Capricornus, Cetus, Cygnus, Taurus

Location: Battery Provincial Park, NS
Date: 2022-09-19
Time: 7:30 PM - 11:58 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, 10x42 IS Binoculars
Transparency: not recorded
Seeing: not recorded

We had a campsite on the waterfront that looked south over St. Peter's Bay. We were not far from the historic St. Peter's Canal. We enjoyed a small campfire after dinner before turning our attention solely observing.

Vega
Time: 7:36 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 63
The first star seen this evening - straight overhead.

Arcturus
Time: 7:45 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 44
The second star seen this evening.

Cassiopeia
Time: 7:55 PM
Equipment: Visual
S&T Chart: 1, 2, 3
Could identify its signature "W" shape with all 5 stars.

Summer Triangle, Big Dipper
Time: 7:58 PM
Equipment: Visual, binoculars
S&T Chart (Dipper): 43
The three stars comprising the Summer Triangle were now all visible - Vega, Deneb and Altair. The Big Dipper's 3 handle stars and its 2 pointer stars (Dubhe, Merak) were visible naked eye. I also noted the double stars Alcor-Mizar in the handle and noted their orientation; they were fairly well separated in the binoculars.

Coathanger / Brocchi's Cluster, Collinder 399
Time: 8:00 PM
Equipment: Binoculars
S&T Chart (Dipper): 64, 66
I used Altair in Aquila and Vega in Lyra to locate the Coathanger. It was very faint but I did find thew 10-star asterism starting at Altair and heading towards Vega.

M31 / Andromeda Galaxy Time: 8:00 PM Equipment: Binoculars S&T Chart: 3 I used the large "V" in Cassiopeia that points to a bright star at FOV 6 o'clock. I then had one more move southward to find the Galaxy. I then proceeded with SkySafariPro to identify some of the star field near it.

Ophiuchus, M10, M12, Serpens Caput, Serpens Cauda
Time: 8:39 PMM36
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars
S&T Chart: 56
Ophiuchus was well above the horizon. The arc of stars at its base was unmistakable and made it easy to identify the snake's upper body and head (Serpens Caput) and its lower boy and tail (Serpens Cauda). Both very easily seen and well defined. With the central star of the arc (ζ Ophi) at 6 o'clock in my FOV, I went up 1.5 FOVs to find the faint fuzzy M10. The faint fuzzy M12 was 1 FOV to the right.

Around 9:15 PM, the skies was becoming a little murky. Consequently, the Dipper and Teapot disappeared from the sky.