Conditions were, to be polite, crap, when I awoke from my nap. So we watched television for a while and I would check conditions periodically. At 2030 hours things were still a mix of fog and clouds, with the check at 2130 being similar, though by now a few of the brighter stars were showing through breaks. When the clock hit 2230 the sky was showing promise, though there was still some lower levels of fog around, the sky was mostly clear. Plus, I had distant lightening flashes to the north and south though no thunder was heard. So with that I made the snap decision to roll the big feller out of the garage and set up my table and other accoutrement. Since I live by the credo that no good deed goes unpunished, after setting up my stuff, doing collimation and finder alignment, the fog made a speedy and aggressive comeback! By 2300 hours I was re-stowing the gear back in the garage and decided to capitulate as the fog was quickly gaining elevation, obliterating the sky above.
Fast forward to about 2340, with trepidation I ventured out to the front porch to take a gander. Wouldn’t you know it, the fog had once more dropped and the sky had cleared and looked rather good considering the humidity levels. I still had the distant lightening flashes, but otherwise, things seemed fine. I had initially felt I would simplify things and just carry the Z10 out, but I decided to go whole hog and bring out the 17.5 inch yet again, with the idea that if things tanked again, that would be the end.
So with my gear set up once more, collimation re-done and finder alignment fine tuned, I began a journey that I knew would only last for just over two hours at best before the moon was due to bring its disruptive presence to the sky. Just like the previous evening I observed mostly at 110x (18mm) and 181x (11mm), with the odd use of 297x (6.7mm). Since I concluded in Libra the last session, I decided to go back there to pick up where I left off, even though I knew conditions would be a little murky at the lower declinations due to the persistent fog near the ground. So with that, I turned the scope toward the bright double Alpha Librae (Zubenelgenubi) and the short session got underway, beginning on chart 68 of the IDSA.
Just over 2° ESE of Alpha Lib I picked up this somewhat bright oval. Small in size visually, it sported an intermittent stellar core at 110x that became more evident at 181x.
In the same field of view as the previous object and about 4’ to its south I suspected this spiral’s presence at 110x. This was confirmed using 181x as a dim small, elongated homogenous glow.
This elliptical was my next target and at 110x it appeared as a small and somewhat bright oval. Diffuse and evenly illuminated initially, at 181x an intermittent stellar core was detected.
About 20’ of
ESO 581-16 (Libra, elliptical galaxy, mag=12.8, size=1.4’x0.6’, SBr=12.6):
Slipping east of
Next up was this barred spiral. Viewed at 110x it was a subtly bright small round homogenous glow. With 181x and 297x an intermittent stellar core was present, otherwise it remained diffuse in appearance.
Noticing on chart 68-left that this globular was SSE of
Found with 110x this lenticular presented a slightly dim oval that was small in size and homogenous in appearance. Trying with 181x it gave the impression of a thick oval and remained diffuse across its angular dimension. A dim 13.9 mag field star was noted just off its eastern tip.
Moving northwest of Alpha Lib I found this barred spiral. It was slightly bright at 110x, and presented as a homogenous small and elongated glow. Viewed with 181x, a fleeting stellar core became evident within its center.
I next swept up this small sliver of homogenous light at 110x. Subtly bright, even at 181x it remained a diffuse thin chalk mark of light.
Despite its numbers, this spiral appeared very dim at 110x, presenting a small and diffuse oval. Viewed with 181x and then 297x I picked up what seemed a perplexing secondary enhancement that I initially suspected of being a second galaxy at its southern edge. However, during after session research I found that this galaxy is bisected along its major axis by a dust lane, which is evident in images. While I did not directly observe this structural detail (as one might in
Spotted at 110x, this galaxy was slightly bright. Small and oval, it appeared homogenous overall. There was no real change in its appearance at 181x however.
Just over 7’ southeast of
An interesting aside here is that the IDSA has the labels crossed for these two galaxies. They label what is
Moving westward toward the border with Virgo I swept up this small but somewhat bright barred spiral. Rounded in shape, it appeared diffuse and evenly illuminated. This characteristic held even at 181x.
Moving southward from the previous object, and passing over an
In the same
Sliding back east I easily spotted this somewhat bright and small elongated diffuse glow. Sporting a stellar core that grew in intensity at 181x, it was clearly dominant in its field.
I finally became tired of the murkiness of the sky toward the lower southern declinations and the resulting difficulties at keeping good focus in the eyepiece. To that end I swung the scope in a different direction in hopes of more stable viewing. Pondering a moment, I remembered that I had not observed the beautiful low surface brightness galaxy
I now turned to the IDSA chart 9-left to continue on with my journey. In locating the field for this galaxy, which was easy enough, I immediately noticed that the view in this direction and elevation was much cleaner, which bode well for the last part of my journey. Aiming the scope at mag 4.3 Eta Cephei, I slipped SSW 2° and the galaxy slid into view. It was large and diaphanous in appearance. I settled in with 110x to study it a few moments.
I have only observed this one from our moderately light polluted back yard with the 10 and 12 inch, where it was challenging as a very dim round patch of haze. In this case, with more
Enjoying the cleaner views in the direction of Cygnus, I decided to work some galaxies there, remaining on chart 9 for a bit. This small oval presented as somewhat bright at 110x. I noted an intermittent stellar core that was held steady at 181x, plus a couple of dim foreground stars imposed upon the galaxy’s halo.
UGC 11453 (Cygnus, spiral galaxy, mag=12.0, size=1.7’x1.3’, SBr=12.7):
Nearly 3° southwest of
Moving WSW toward mag 3.8 Kappa Cygni, I pulled down this very small and dim pip of diffuse light at 110x. Viewed with 181x it was a small and dim oval with even illumination and no hint of central brightness.
Moving southwest from Kappa I located this somewhat bright and slightly large oval glow snuggled up against the border with Draco. At 110x I picked up hints of very dim foreground stars involved in the galaxy’s envelope. With 181x I counted at least three dim stars imposed upon the homogenous halo.
Since I was near the so-called “Blinking Planetary” I decided to stop a moment to take a gander. At 110x it was bright and large in the field of view as a pale blue orb, with its mag 10.4 central star very obvious. With this
UGC 11465 (Cygnus, spiral galaxy, mag=12.8, size=1.2’x1.2’, SBr=13.0):
Just west of the bright planetary and north of 16 Cyg I scooped up this very small and dim round glow. Viewed all the way up to 297x it remained very small and somewhat dim visually, and lacked any central brightness.
MCG+8-36-3 (Cygnus, spiral galaxy, mag=13.8, size=0.8’x0.7’, SBr=12.8):
Just to the south of UGC 11465 between it and 16 Cyg, I picked up this little spiral. At 110x it was difficult but seen. Even at 181x and 297x it was very small and dim. Round in shape it remained a diaphanous glow with no perceived central brightness.
The sky was brightening along the eastern side of the valley where the moon was coming up beyond the ridgeline. So, deciding to call it a night, I moved into Canes Venatici for a couple of final objects. Since I re-observed
Finding its field is a simple act of memory since I’ve been there so many times over the years. At 110x it was quickly and easily swept up as a large and bright oval, along with the oval of its companion
I next studied the area between the two galaxies. After a moment the connecting bridge of gas and dust was clearly seen. The whole package was there boldly and brightly at 110x and a true treat since it’ has been a while since I’d taken any time to view these objects.
SN 2019ein (Canes Venatici, supernova in
My final act for the evening was to re-visit the supernova in
And with that, the outing was over. The sky was getting increasingly brighter as I was stowing the gear back in the garage. I was indeed happy that I had endured the yo-yo action of the fog as it rose, fell, rose again and then fell for good. Actually sometime after 0100 a breeze developed from the south and it warmed the air. The temps were in the mid-60s give or take and I was out in shorts and a t-shirt for the entire session, and felt comfortable.
Thanks for tagging along on my two nights under a dark sky. Though conditions were not superior they were quite fine for me and my big light scoop to do what we do and enjoy best – galaxy hunting. Until next time, keep looking up friends.
