19 July 2023 Observation Log

 I set up the scope about 22:15 MDT, waiting for it to get dark enough to align. My goal tonight is to see some of the objects listed in the July-September section of  "Turn Left at Orion" (TLAO).

 I had watched a You-Tube video on using Star Align on the Nexstar mount, and thought I would give it a try since it uses three stars instead of two. I started with Altair, then Arcturus, then Delta Cassiopeia. Used Mizar as a test, and it centered that fine, but then was consistently off. Redid alignment using 2 star align with  Altair and Arcturus. Targets were consistently in FOV of the 32 or 25 mm eyepiece after that. 

The first target was the Ring nebula, M57. Easily visible with the 32mm eyepiece as a round, grayish shaded shape. The 25mm was brighter and a little clearer.17mm gave the best view, the ring shape is easily discernible. Tried  the 8mm, but the image became too unsteady, so went back to 17mm.At times I thought I was actually able to see a very slight greenish tinge, especially with averted vision. However, that could have been just my brain imposing values from photos of it I have seen. There were many very faint stars visible around it. Overall I was really impressed wit the clarity, size and discernible detail.I spent quite a bit of time going back and forth from the eyepiece to the sketch. 

Sketch is rough, using a mechanical pencil with 0.7 lead. I need to start bringing out a regular pencil to work with so can shade things better. I also need to use something to diffuse my red light better. It's just bright enough that shining it directly on a white page can temporarily dazzle.



 

Second target was M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. Same process as for M57, but I started with the 25mmShowed an oblong shape with just enough shading to make out the shape that gives it the name. Switched to the 17mm, the dumbbell shape is definitely visible in the general nebulosity. Spent about 15-20 minutes going back and forth between eyepiece and journal sketching.


 

Last target was M103, since I hadn't been able to sketch it last time.



 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Observing Log 24 July 2022 I had tried to set up the scope and have it do a 2 star alignment a couple of weeks ago, but the battery charge got too low before I could finish. I ordered the AC adapter, and it arrived a few days later. This was the first time I had a chance to get out and try it. I picked a spot that gave decent views of the southern sky and set three flat paving blocks where the tripod legs would be. Power was run using an extension cord from the wood shop.I set up the telescope at about 23:00. The 2 star alignment function worked well. The only issue was that one of the stars I picked to try wasn't listed in the catalogue, so I had to pick another. Where I set up trees blocked the north and northeast skies. This limited my choices somewhat. Tried out the Sky Tour function. Still using the 25mm eyepiece. Some of the objects were hidden behind the trees or were still below the ridge line to the east. Did get a good view of Andromeda. No fine detail, but an elongated o...
Read more

26 March, 2025, Mars and an almost major oops!

This was my first opportunity to get out and observe for a month. Weather has not been very cooperative! The sky started out with some high, thin clouds. It seems like there was a lot of haze/humidity in the air, lights in the area showing definite halos. For some reason there wasn't any dew yet though. I started setting up at dusk, and made my first observation about 21:00 MDT. I did a solar system alignment using Jupiter, then observed that using 17mm Plossl (119.5x) and 13mm Plossl (156.3x) eyepieces.Seeing was much better than last time out, but at 156x it was hard to maintain focus. I would estimate seeing as Antoniadi 3. The North and South  Equatorial Bands were easily visible as distinct very light brownish bands. There were occasional hints of the South polar Band.  Since seeing was decent, I wanted to make another try at Mars. It is rapidly diminishing after opposition, which was not a real great one. Again used the 17 and 13 mm eyepieces. the view through the 17mm w...
Read more

2 September 2023 Observation Notes.

Image
  Set up to observe Jupiter. The blocks on the stool are to increase it's height while observing at low angles. A head lamp is hanging on the side of the eyepiece case so I can reference "Turn Left At Orion", a reference notebook, and my journal. I was holding my Celestron red light to take the picture.      I wasn't planning on observing tonight because the forecast cloud cover was too much. However, at about 20:30 the sky was almost completely clear, with a few high cirrus far to the west.  Started at 21:30, but had to realign because I accidentally pulled the power jack out of the mount. At 21:45 I was on Saturn again. Was picking bright targets because sky was bright, even though the Moon wasn't up yet.The seeing was similar to last time I observed Saturn. About 22:17 a band of high thin cirrus passed in front of Saturn, causing it to be more unsteady and fuzzy, as though out of focus. At 22:20 the 92% waning moon came up the Sapphires. I took time to go in ...
Read more