TheSkySearchers

Hello all,

this is a review of the nebulae in the constellation of Lacerta, as observed through the binoculars and through the 6” F/5 achro in July, August and in September 2020.

The idea for this observing program has emerged after I have completed the eastern Cygnus with the very large Sh2-118 nebular field, viewtopic.php?p=108321#p108321 , to find out that there is also something to see in the southern Lacerta.

The field of the observed nebular patches and glows in the southern Lacerta is in this annotated sketch,



The sketch is on a template of the stars for the star hopping, the positions and the forms of the nebulae are according to the observing notes.

Lacerta South-East Nebulae:

The trio of the Lynds nebulae LBN 420, LBN 425, and LBN 432 has been seen the first time through the 10.5x70 binoculars with the blue(RGB)CCD filters, and later through the 8x56 without any filters at all. And this has been the reason why I became attracted to the nebulae in Lacerta.

Reminding the amazing astrophoto of a band of the Planck Cold Galactic Clumps by J.T.Hommes, http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/images/UN ... otated.jpg



I have been lucky to find this band of fain light, first through the 15x85 binoculars, and then confirmed through the 6” F/5 telescope. Even if the first trials have been with the blue(RGB)CCD filters, a sufficient contrast has also offered the Y8 light yellow filter.

Nebulae of the Lacerta OB1b Stars Association

This area north to west of the bright 10 Lacertae is dominated by the bright LBN 437 (DG 187),
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... ssociation
and to the south and east with the extended bands of the Sharpless Sh2-126 nebular field.

To find the individual Lynds in the Sh2-126 and around, I have been using these three star hopping strategies:
1. The stars 10 and 8 Lacertae to fing the bright LBN 437, and then down to Sh2-126
2. The asterism south of 10 Lacertae to find the LBN 438
3. The star 13 Lacertae to find the group LBN 448, 450 and 454

Even if the brightest of these nebulae have been already visible through the 15x85 binoculars, the 6” F/5 telescope has been needed to locate all of them with certainty.

The LBN 437 is certainly the most amazing Lynds nebula in this area,
http://www.distant-lights.at/lbn437-2012_10_05.htm
and in the wide field, the enormous extent of the bright bands in the Sh2-126 becomes apparent
http://www.distant-lights.at/sh2-126-2013_08_30.htm

The LBN 438, east and north-east of the small asterism, has been recently captured by Marius,
viewtopic.php?p=112273#p112273

Finally, the Lynds nebulae at the border with Andromeda complete the show, and here is the astrophoto by Jim T. Hommes
http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/images/LB ... otated.jpg


The star hopping to these nebulae has been from the 14 and 16 Lacertae. The nebulae became visible through the 6” F/5 telescope, the LBN 460 and 463 have merged into one glow.

Place: Backyard in Erlanger Oberland
Date: July 27th and 31st, August 5th, 6th, and 8th, and September 9th, 2020
Binoculars: Docter Nobilem 8x56, BA8 10.5x70 and 15x85
Refractor: 6” F/5, eyepieces Leica HC Plan S (f=25mm), star hopping with the Antares W 70 f=25mm
Filters: Baader blue(RGB)CCD, Astronomik H-Beta, yellow Y8
Observing conditions: Bortle 3

Thank you for reading, and clear skies,
JG

Amazing report JG!

If I'm able to get a scope out tonight (haven't decided which one yet) I'll definitely aim it that way

Abb

Excellent report! Thanks so much!

A wonderful report JG, congratulations on the great observations!
Good luck with the next clear evening.

Great observations! Most impressive!
Well done, thanks!

Hi JG. This is a fantastic report of the Lacerta Nebulae region with the 6” F/5 achro refractor. And, I appreciate all of the informational data that you supplied too. Thanks for this excellent read report JG, and the very best of regards.

Review and some added nebulae to Lacerta

Hello all,

and thank you very much for the kind words!

As on yesterday night the the skies have cleared to Bortle 3, and I have reviewed some of the nebulae in Lacerta, and also added some more vdB 151.

LBN 440: This nebula has been seen already before, and it responds best to the blue(RGB)CCD filter.
LBN 438: This ERE clump is seen best through the Y8 yellow filter, and it nearly fades away through the blue(RGB)CCD.
Kh 149: Similaryl to LBN 438, this clump responds best to Y8, less good but still faintly visible through the blue(RGB)CCD.
PGCC: This stream of the Planck Galactic Cold Clumps responds best to the Y8 filter, here are condensations at its bosth ends I have not shown in the sketch.
vdB 151: Just a reflection nebula responding to the blue(RGB)CCD filter, not necessarily associated with the other stuff in Lacerta.

There are possibly two streams of the interstellar matter (or IFN), one towards the T Cygni, the other ponting from the Lacerta OB 1b Association towards north.
The first stream towards T Cygni looks like for granted, the other one pointing north will require more observing sessions to be confirmed.

And here is the updated sketch,



Thank you for reading and looking,
JG

Quite impressive JG!

Hello JG. Thanks for the updated nebulae additions and the very nice sketch that you did. Excellent work JG, and keep looking up.

Hello all,

this is the final revisit to the Lacerta nebulae, made with the 10x70 Nikon Astroluxe binoculars on the 6th November, 2020.
The reason for the final revisit has been to confirm the "Lacerta stream", which follows the bright stars of Lacerta to its east,
and to confirm the "bridge" towards the Sh2-118 nebula in Cygnus.

Thank you for following this observing project,
JG

Hi JG, this is a testament to your careful, detailed approach, we documented and researched. many thanks.

JG, your posts are always so amazing and informative! Thanks for such careful expert observations of the nebulae in this region, and for showing us all how high of standards one can have within amateur astronomy.

I love reading your reports, so well documented.
easy to read and very interesting, thx.

Great series of reports JG. Some outstanding sessions there.

You always amaze me with your detailed sketches of these very faint objects.

Thanks for posting,

Dan

Hello Dan,

and thank you very much!
This has been just a documentary sketching of this area of skies, not attracting many observers.

On the 14th November (Bortle 3 skies), I have made another revisit to the Khavtassi Kh 149 nebula, and this time with the 10.5x70 binoculars with the Y8 yellow filters mounted. The nebula has looked diffuse (no brighter core) - basically as expected through the Y8 filters, but the view has confirmed a very faint stream towards NNW, passing by the NGC 7209 open cluster.
The main problem with the visibility of the Kh 149 stream are the very large Lynds nebulae in the Lacerta-to-Cygnus border area, which attract more attention.

Clear skies,
JG

The Lacerta Nebulae Update

Hello all,

during a few observing sessions in 2021, I have been able to confirm some more objects surrounding the Lacerta OB1 Association,


1. The Lacerta Stream following the bright stars has possibly also some HII emission.
2. The Khavtassi Stream has been repeatadly seen as passing by the open cluster NGC 7209, and pointing towards the IC 5146 Cocoon Nebula in Cygnus with the Barnard's B168 Dark Cigar nebula.
3. A very faint bridge from the vdB 151 reflection nebula towards the Sh2-118 in Cygnus.
4. The Stream from 1 Lacertae into Cygnus, passing by (or touching) the southern rim of Sh2-118.

The streams may belong to the large cirrus of molecular and HII clouds, extending from Sivan 2 in southern Cassiopeia into Lacerta, and crossing the Lacerta/Cygnus border.
The next known condensation of the molecular clouds towards west is the area of Cygnus X, SSW off the North America - Pelican complex.

Best,
JG

Congratulations on your further progress with these objects JG, a most impressive series of observations illustrating what one can aspire to in the hobby, we're honored to award you the TSS VROD for your observations and detailed sketches!

Hi JG. A nice update and expanded report on the Lacerta Nebulae. Very nice observations with the binoculars and the 6" refractor. I also enjoyed your latest sketch too. Thanks for putting this up on here JG and congratulations on receiving the TSS VROD Award today.

I do like your sketches, JG - thanks for sharing, and congrats on the VROD!