[obs] Lucy looks Skywards 23/09/2003

Lucy looks Skywards - 23/09/2003
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Date: 23rd September 2003
Time: 8.20pm - 12.00am BST
Observer: Dave Moore
Location: Creech Grange, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Latitude: 51 degrees N
Longitude: 1 degree W
Limiting Magnitude: 5.7
Moon: None
Bootle Scale: 7 (Milky Way very prominent, Cygnus Rift
easily seen)
Transparency: 6/10 (slightly better than average)
Seeing: 5/10 (average)

Equipment: 8" Meade LX-90 SCT f/10 (a.k.a Lucy)
Eyepieces: 30 mm Celestron Ultima (67x)
12.5 mm Celestron Ultima (160x)


We have been having a good spell of weather recently in the UK - as
soon as autumn arrived it was as if someone flicked a switch, and the
balmy September sunshine was replaced by the cold and crisp autumnal
weather. Monday night was very clear, but I had a prior engagement and
so on Tuesday night I loaded up the car and headed out to Creech
Grange in the Purbecks. I wanted to continue my progress on the
Herschel 400 list and see some sights in Sagittarius before it
disappeared into the twilight.

Creech Grange is located on a hilltop a couple of miles inland from
the English Channel next to the Army Firing Ranges at Tyneham. Indeed,
throughout the night, I could hear helicopters, vehicles going at it
hammer and tongs and the monotonous clanging of heavy-calibre
machine-gun fire and the occasional thump of mortars going off. The
occasional star shell and tracer bullers (including red tracers, which
I've never seen before here) could also been seen. Using the old
thunderstorm counting trick, and a reference to an OS map, I estimated
that I was about 4-5 miles from the action. Which was close enough!

Anyway, on with the real fireworks - those in the celestial sky.

Early evening, just as the Milky Way was coming out, I realised I
could still see Antares and the head of Scorpius, although it was
sinking fast. I quickly, before it was really dark, viewed a few
objects in that constellation (only partially visible from the
latitude of the UK), probably the last chance to see it before May
next year.


8.23pm SHJ 225 | Double Star | Scorpius | RA: 16h 20m 11.4s | DEC:
-20° 3' 33"
This double star appears well split at 67x, and consists of two white
stars, one slightly brighter than the other. The lack of colour may be
due to the still slightly-light sky.

8.26pm M6 | Open Cluster | Scorpius | RA: 17h 40m 31s DEC: -32° 15'
15"
One of the lowest of the Messier objects, M6 cultimates at a measily 7
degrees above the horizon, as seen from the UK. Despite being past the
meridian, and the sky not being fully dark, this cluster still puts on
a good show. At 67x over 40 stars are seen, arranged in the famous
butterfly pattern, although this is not as evident as I have seen it
in the past. The semimajor axis of the cluter is 2/3 of the FoV at
this magnification, and the five brightest members stand out very well
at the tips of the 'wings', like glistening jewels.

8.32pm M7 | Open Cluster | Scorpius | RA: 17h 54m 8s DEC: -34° 48' 12"
Even lower than M6, and compared to past views, it is dimmed by the
thick atmosphere. There are, at 67x, some 14 bright stars arranged in
several chains scattered over the FoV. Seemingly behind these bright
stars are many fainter stars, some at the very edge of vision. In the
middle of the cluster is a tight pair of white stars.

8.36pm NGC 6451 | Open Cluster | Scorpius | RA: 17h 50m 55s DEC: -30°
13' 11"
This open cluster appears as a faint, slightly glistening haze at 67x.
Upping the power to 160x reveals a wedge-shaped grouping of many faint
stars. Along one edge are two brighter stars, and along an adjacent
edge are three other brighter stars. At 250x the cluster fills the
entire FoV.


And now onto the Teapot. It was just about transiting at this point,
and I had 10 Herschels still to see. Unfortunately, I forgot the chart
for the "controlversal" NGC 6540. I knew it was near NGC 6520, but I
decided I hadn't really the time to go looking for it. In the event, I
quickly got all remaining objects apart from NGC 6540.


8.42pm NGC 6583 | Open Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 16m 0s DEC:
-22° 8' 1"
With 67x this faint open cluster appears as a tiny, faint haze lying
next to a line of three stars. Upping the magnification to 160x
reveals the cluster part of the time, still as a faint haze with
perhaps some stars resolved, and using 250x the cluster is not
visible.

8.48pm NGC 6568 | Open Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 13m 0s DEC:
-21° 35' 2"
What a contrast to NGC 6583. This cluster at 67x is large and rich,
like a slightly-less impressive version of M37. It fills half of the
FoV, and dozens of faint stars can been seen spreading out into many
chains. The centre of the cluster is not concentrated, however, there
is a delightful semi-circular chain of stars near the centre of the
cluster. Within the "bowl" of this chain there are no stars visible.
160x shows this asterism much more clearly, and at one end of the
chain (which is actually slightly more than a semi-circle, almost like
the letter "C") is a close, even double. Overall a delightful object.
Off to one edge of the cluster is a much brighter star

8.55pm NGC 6629 | Planetary Nebula | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 25m 55s
DEC: -23° 12' 7"
This planetary nebula is but stellar at 67x, but 160x reveals a soft
hazy star. Using 250x reveals a tiny grey disc with soft edges. With
averted vision I think I can see a bright stellar centre - the central
star perhaps?

9.00pm NGC 6445 | Planetary Nebula | Sagittarius | RA: 17h 49m 27s
DEC: -20° 0' 44"
An obvious planetary nebula at 67x, when it appears as a faint grey
hazy patch, lying next to a double star (HJ 2810). In the same FoV as
NGC 6440, a globular cluster which appears slightly bigger. 160x
improves the view, and a faint star lies off one edge of the Planetary
Nebula. 250x is not useful.

9.00pm HJ 2810 | Double Star | Sagittarius | RA: 17h 49m 48s DEC: -19°
59' 08"
The double star next to NGC 6445. At 67x this is a slightly uneven but
well split pair of white stars.

9.06pm NGC 6440 | Globular Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 17h 49m 5s DEC:
-20° 21' 42"
67x shows a hazy patch in the same FoV as NGC 6445. It is larger than
the said planetary nebula, and has a brighter centre, although this is
not pinpoint. No resolution or mottling is noted.


Up into Vulpecula briefly, as I realised later I had misordered my
observing list.


9.13pm NGC 6802 | Open Cluster | Vulpecula | RA: 19h 30m 45s DEC: +20°
16' 35"
This open cluster forms a shallow triangle with two pairs of stars. At
67x it is a small elongated haze, whereas with 160x stars start to
resolve with averted vision over the surface of the cluster. With 250x
I can see 6 stars in total with direct vision, including four clumped
together into a tiny trapezoid, and there are many more at the edge of
my vision.

9.20pm NGC 6624 | Globular Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 23m 54s
DEC: -30° 21' 42"
An easy globular to see at 67x - this looks like a small, faint but
obvious, tailless comet. The centre isn't that bright though but there
is a very smooth graduation between the centre and the faint outer
edges.

9.27pm NGC 6638 | Globular Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 31m 9s DEC:
-25° 29' 45"
Unlike NGC 6624, this globular is not easy to see. At 67x it appears
only as a faint ghostly patch of light, only very slightly
concentrated towards the centre. It lies off a line of three stars.
160x shows a large but not bright core, and I get the impression that
the whole globular is fan-shaped.

9.34pm NGC 6642 | Globular Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 32m 7s DEC:
-23° 28' 32"
Another quite faint globular, averted vision is needed to see it
clearly at 67x when it appears as a small, featureless, patch of
weakly glowing light. 160x shows it better, but I can detect no
core-brightening at this magnification. Lies within the same FoV as a
tight triangle of stars.

9.41pm NGC 6553 | Globular Cluster | Sagittarius | RA: 18h 9m 28s DEC:
-25° 54' 32"
Much larger than some of aforementioned globulars, this is a large but
quite faint misty patch at 67x, lying near to two stars. Surprisingly
for a globular of this size, I cannot see any brighter region in the
centre. 160x offers no improvement, the globular being even more
difficult to see than at 67x.


Most of the rest of the night I spent pottering about in Aquarius
(going after various galaxies) and Cygnus (again, concentrating on
Herschel 400 objects). Cygnus to my mind, is almost the perfect
deep-sky constellation. You have everything - lots of varied and
unusual and bright open clusters, a wonderful supernova remnant,
planetary nebulae, double stars, and even some galaxies. If only it
had some globulars! Oh well, I guess Sagittarius is better after all.
If only it wasn't so damn low down!

But first, a trip into Draco for a couple of galaxies.


9.55pm NGC 5982 | Galaxy | Draco | RA: 15h 38m 43s DEC: +59° 20' 53"
67x shows this galaxy with direct vision as a elongated smudge with a
brighter core, although it is much more prominent with averted vision.
Lies next to NGC 5985

9.55pm NGC 5985 | Galaxy | Draco | RA: 15h 39m 41s DEC: +59° 19' 29"
Lies next to NGC 5985, and although larger, it has a much lower
surface brightness. This is born out by the difficulty I have in
seeing it at 67x, when it finally, after some studying appears as a
long,thin smear hovering at the edge of averted vision. It is much
easier to see when I slew the FoV back and forth when it almost
becomes obvious.

10.00pm NGC 6814 | Galaxy | Aquila | RA: 19h 42m 52s DEC: -10° 18' 56"
A galaxy in a Milky Way constellation. But it is very faint, and with
both 67x and 160x averted vision is needed to see a very faint oval of
weak light. It lies almost smack bang in the middle betweeen a
triangle and a trapezoid of stars.

10.07pm NGC 6907 | Galaxy | Capricornus | RA: 20h 25m 20s DEC: -24°
47' 54"
A hideously difficult galaxy at 67x, and can just been seen with
averted and occasionally direct vision. It lies next to a star. Nearby
in the same FoV is an distinctive asterism of seven stars, including
one fairly bright star.

10.12pm NGC 7391 | Galaxy | Aquarius | RA: 22h 50m 48s DEC: -1° 31'
22"
Just visible with direct vision at 67x as a tiny round patch of light
feebly glowing next to a faint star. Quite difficult to hold with
direct vision. 160x shows it consistently with direct vision but it is
still quite faint.

10.18pm NGC 7184 | Galaxy | Aquarius | RA: 22h 2m 51s DEC: -20° 47'
46"
A classical cigar-shaped galaxy at 67x, although it is quite faint and
needs averted vision to see clearly. Quite large in the semimajor
axis.

10.27pm NGC 6891 | Planetary Nebula | Delphinus | RA: 20h 15m 20s DEC:
+12° 42' 58"
67x shows this planetary as stellar, whereas 160x only shows it as a
soft star. 250x however finally resolves a tiny, soft grey disc.

10.36pm NGC 6834 | Open Cluster | Cygnus | RA: 19h 52m 21s DEC: +29°
24' 43"
Making a change from all the faint galaxies so far, this prominent
open cluster does a good impersonation of Saturn. 67x shows a line of
four stars superimposed across a smaller, hazy, concentrated grouping
of many faint stars - just like Saturn. With 160x the cluster loses
some of its impact. This is a nice object at the lower magnification.
This cluster should be named "The Saturn Cluster".

10.45pm NGC 6866 | Open Cluster | Cygnus | RA: 20h 4m 1s DEC: +44° 10'
48"
67x shows a smallish clustering of about 30 stars, denser than the
surrounding starry background. There is a curious feature of two
parallel lines of stars in the centre of the cluster. Pleasant but
odd, I think to myself. At 160x these lines of stars dominate the FoV.
Perhaps the "Railroad Cluster"?

10.54pm NGC 6910 | Open Cluster | Cygnus | RA: 20h 23m 20s DEC: +40°
47' 52"
Another odd Cygnus cluster. 67x shows a compact, if peculiar,
three-legged arrangement of stars, including two brighter yellow
stars. This almost looks like a stylised manx-symbol. At 160x the
sight is amazing, and I can count 15 stars in total along the three
curving legs.

11.00pm NGC 7008 | Planetary Nebula | Cygnus | RA: 21h 0m 41s DEC:
+54° 33' 49"
67x shows a large hazy patch, surely bigger than M57, lying next to a
star. With averted vision I think I can detect some irregularity or
blotchiness within it. 160x splits the star into a slightly uneven
double, but there is no improvement in the planetary nebula at this
magnification.

11.12pm NGC 7062 | Open Cluster | Cygnus | RA: 21h 23m 39s DEC: +46°
24' 5"
Lying next to a straight line of stars spanning almost the entire FoV
at 67x, this open cluster appears as a glittering squat-cigar-shaped
clustering of several dozen stars, including two bright stars, one at
each end of the cluster. Half-way between the two bright stars, in the
centre of the cluster is another slightly less bright star, although
all three are much brighter than the fainter stars which make up most
of this cluster. This cluster is set in a dense starfield. It loses
some impact at 160x due to the disappearance of the 'glistening'
effect but is still quite nice.

11.18pm NGC 7086 | Open Cluster | Cygnus | RA: 21h 30m 38s DEC: +51°
37' 6"
A small wedge-shaped lump of many faint stars at 67x, set within a
bright and dense star field. Again, with so many other open clusters,
it tends to lose impact at 160x though more stars are resolved or
prominent.

11.26pm NGC 7128 | Open Cluster | Cygnus | RA: 21h 44m 8s DEC: +53°
44' 8"
An unusual cluster (yep, we're still in Cygnus). 67x shows a teensy
ring of five stars, with one star acting like the "Jewel" and being
brighter. There is a slight hazy appearance due to (I guess) some
unresolved stars at this magnification. 160x shows a total of 10
stars, including one star visible with averted vision inside the ring.
Perhaps the "Engagement Ring Cluster"?

11.34pm NGC 7013 | Galaxy | Cygnus | RA: 21h 3m 43s DEC: +29° 54' 47"
Another Milky-Way constellation galaxy. 67x and the use of averted
vision reveals a thin oval streak of light. Just visible with direct
vision and applied concentration. It seems to hang off a faint star.

11.39pm NGC 7585 | Galaxy | Aquarius | RA: 23h 18m 13s DEC: -4° 37'
48"
A faintish galaxy at 67x, appearing just with direct vision as a round
hazy patch with a small, bright centre. Obvious with averted vision.
Set in a rather desolate starfield, there are only two brightish stars
nearby.

11.46pm NGC 7727 | Galaxy | Aquarius | RA: 23h 40m 6s DEC: -12° 16'
20"
An obvious galaxy with direct vision at 67x, it appears as a hazy,
oval smudge with a large but not much brighter, centre. This view is
reinforced at 160x.

11.54pm NGC 7723 | Galaxy | Aquarius | RA: 23h 39m 9s DEC: -12° 56'
27"
Faint but visible at 67x with averted vision as a large smudge without
any brightness variation. In the same FoV as a bright star which
interferes with the view somewhat.

11.59pm NGC 7541 | Galaxy | Pisces | RA: 23h 14m 55s DEC: +4° 33' 20"
A long thin streak at 67x, using averted vision. Quite difficult to
see though, and there is no sign of its companion, NGC 7537. Near one
tip is a faint star.

And with NGC 7541, the faintest galaxy of the night (mag 11.7) and the
stoke of midnight, with work in the morning, I call it a night.
Overall, after tonight, I have now seen 266 out of the 400 Herschels.
I started seriously observing them a year or so ago, so I reckon that
I shall have seen them all sometime around this time next year (I
missed a few in Scorpius and Ophiuchus). As long as I nail the
son-of-a-CMBR-inhomigenity that is NGC 6118 of course (four tries and
counting).




Author of the Supernovae and Supernova Remnants FAQ
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/supernova/
Visions of Light, Visions of Darkness - B&W Photography of Wessex
http://www.valinor.freeserve.co.uk/visions.html