Observing Report for March 2, 2008 - Dinosaur Point
I had two fair nights at Plettstone on Thursday and Friday, but those
sessions only whetted my appetite for more ancient light. The sky contained
some high cirrus during Sunday afternoon, but the CSC and satellite images
indicated clear skies would prevail at Dino.
On the other hand, the wind was a concern. We are approaching the windy
season at San Luis Reservoir. The automated wind number reported 10-15mph
breezes during the afternoon. Conditions were the same on Saturday, and the
wind died that evening. I expected similar conditions on subsequent days.
So, Sunday afternoon I headed out with the 13" f/4.5.
As expected, the cirrus dried up by astronomical twilight, leaving clear
skies all night. Temperatures dropped to the mid to low 40's. The relative
humidity never got above 68%. Seeing was adequate - six stars in the
Trapezium, although Saturn was a little mushy. The 10-15 mph breeze that
turned windmills during the afternoon died after sunset, leaving us with a
calm, dry lot. There was no hint of dew.
Five of us enjoyed very nice conditions. I made over 50 observations, but 31
were new. I re-observed a number of challenging objects that I'd seen
previously with the 16". For some reason, I was stoked. I felt like I
usually do when observing in Australia. Despite the long drive the day
before, I didn't feel tired while observing. Even when I quit at 1AM (first
to arrive, last to leave), I felt good. But fatigue finally caught up to me
about half way home. I'm glad I left when I did.
I'm trying to finish off all the NGC objects by constellation. Usually the
stragglers on my lists are faint, obscure, questionable, or non-existent
objects.
Selected observations (using 7mm Nagler T6 unless otherwise noted).
Orion
NGC 1671, a.k.a. IC 395 (mag 12.9, 0.9' x 0.6') There is some doubt about
the identity of NGC 1671. The NGC/IC webpage speculates that it may be IC
395, which I did observe. Small oval 5' ENE of mag 11 star. Visible with
direct vision.
NGC 1707
Small asterism of four faint stars 0.5' across that appear nebulous. Lies
2.5' S of the business end of a hockey stick asterism. I found the hockey
stick more interesting.
NGC 2163
Nebulosity visible steadily with averted vision and without filters.
Elongated N-S around mag 11-12 star. Star appears off-center to the south.
DSS shows more detail I didn't pick up in the 13". Note to return.
Taurus
Close galaxy pair 3-4' NNE of a trio of brighter stars.
NGC 1633 (13.5, 1.2' x 1.0') Small, faint, slightly oval core with hint of
slightly larger faint halo with indistinct outline. Just visible steadily
with averted vision.
NGC 1634 (14.1, 0.5' x 0.5') Small oval, somewhat brighter than N1633 40" to
the north. Visible steadily with averted vision.
NGC 1474, a.k.a. IC 2000, IC 2002 (13.8, 1.3' x 1.0')
There is some doubt about the identity of N1474 and the proper ID of the
suspected IC counterpart. Uranometria labels the galaxy at this location IC
2002, but the NGC/IC webpage says it should be IC 2000. I observed a small
hazy spot 6.5' E of a mag 11 star and held it 80% of the time with averted
vision.
NGC 1896
Hourglass-shaped arrangement of approximately 15 stars 4' wide x 6' long
approximately 5' NE of mag 9 star.
Sextans
NGC 3015 (13.9, .06' x 0.4') Small oval with smaller, somewhat brighter
core. Just visible with direct vision and larger halo visible steadily with
averted vision.
2MASX J09491349+0110397, a.k.a. LEDA 101406 I was armed with a DSS image
for N3015 and noticed this nearby very small, faint smudge 3' NW. Eventually
I was able to hold it 30% of the time with averted vision.
NGC 3022 (13.2, 1.6' x 1.6') Small to moderate size circular galaxy with
somewhat brighter central area. Visible steadily with averted vision.
The DSS showed three faint nearby galaxies.
MCG-1-25-44 (14.5, 0.9' x 0.7') 4.5' WSW of N3022. Smaller oval with more
uniform brightness. Visible 80% of the time with averted vision.
2MASX J09494388-0515339, a.k.a. LEDA 154365 One of close pair (50"
separation) of very faint, elusive galaxies 5.5' SSE of N3022. Very small
oval (?) with brighter central area. Eventually was able to hold it 60% of
the time with averted vision.
2MASX J09494709-0515219, a.k.a. LEDA 1047171 The other member of the close
pair of very faint, elusive galaxies 5.5' SSE of N3022. Even smaller and
fainter oval. Eventually was able to hold it 50% of the time with averted
vision.
Sextans A a.k.a. MCG-1-26-30 (11.5, 5.5' x 4.5) Large, low surface
brightness galaxy, one of the dwarf satellites of our Milky Way. A brighter
off-center circular knot 1' across shows up 95% of the time with averted
vision using 9mm Nagler. I occasionally detected a somewhat larger (3') even
glow.
Sextans is now complete.
I finished up working on Leo. It was an enjoyable night. Considering the
forecast and commitments for the weekend, I may make the drive again
mid-week.
Albert
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Received on Tue Mar 04 18:24:07 2008