TheSkySearchers

Last evening, an evening full of challenges. Objects of the Month are not so obvious here in Bortle 8/9 area. It seemed bright enough to the naked eye but my first look through the telescope at M44 told me that high in the atmosphere there must be a lot of cirrus cloud cover.

Still just stubborn and off to M67. That one turned out to be somewhat disappointing even by city standards. I really had seen that one better! I could not make out more than a dozen stars and some background glow. Not even with some higher magnifications. Alas. The sketch is proof of it. A larger telescope might have come in handy, were it not for the fact that my mount had been put in a corner of my little garden, to provide space for the construction racks for the painters. So this time I had to make do with my 102mm grab@go scope.



As a result, although I was sheltered under the racks, I could not look toward the zenith. So NGC 2419 fell completely out of view. Given its surface brightness, I was not very confident about it tonight anyway. In the past it had given me quite a few headaches. It should be doable from the city, though. Attached is a 2022 sketch from my little garden.



Then I switched to an NGC number that is currently object of the month here in the Netherlands: NGC2903, an extra-galactic galaxy in the head of the Lion. Not exactly the brightest either, but still doable in my memory. I had seen it not very long ago.

Somewhat in despair, I hopped over to where to expect NGC2903 according to SkySafari. Nothing. I checked with MeMstar ( a French goto). After aligning on Regulus it appeared to indicate the same spot. Star patterns were correct. No galaxy. Let's leave it at that, shall we?

No, just open up the whole arsenal. Hood on, no more side light. Leica-zoom eyepiece in, zooming can be helpful sometimes. Let the eyes get used to darkness; takes some time but in the end it pays off. Turn Eyeshield up, no warm air from the eye fogging up on the cold lens. Beware of fogging, keep distance, take the smaller field of view for granted. Drag in all directions, motion is noticeable and use especially peripheral ( averted) vision. With the eye make circles in the image field. Still nothing?

Normally say you doubt you saw it. And then keep it to a "no." A "no" to autosuggestion and wishful thinking. Despite the pitfall of those last two, I dare not say "no." No "no" to that immensely weak glimmer that seemed to appear twice very briefly. Too brief and too little to say "yes." But "no" is also not correct....

I made a sketch of it. The galaxy is actually still shown too brightly in the sketch. But well, otherwise there is nothing left to sketch.... :-)

Click the images for a nicer view.

A good report John even if the skies fought you!
With difficult targets like NGC2903 I call it averted imagination
Good location sketch though so I would say you saw it enough.

Enjoyable report and sketches John! Light pollution can wreak havoc even on brighter targets.

very nice sketches and nice report , thx .

I'd say you got NGC 2903. No more than a will 'o the wisp perhaps but clearly something there. Quite nice with a 4" refractor. In going through Leo I had a couple of those experiences with my XLT f/9.8 on mercurial NGC objects that were kind of now you see it, now you don't. Pushing the eyes and scope to the limits is what it's all about in visual astronomy. A fine session and recipient of today's VROD!

Thanks to all and thanks for the VROD!

Edit: I realised that this is the 50th VROD.
Time for a small party under the stars!

Congratulations on the 50 VROD!

Yes Congratulations on the 50 John!

Very nicely done John, given your conditions. The LP you have to endure is truly a challenging situation. Appreciate you focusing on two of this month's DSOs from the challenge. Also congrats on NGC 2903. While it is a bright galaxy, in LP it becomes more difficult. While I have seen spiral structure in it, that was of course at our dark site using the 17.5 inch. I am always impressed by your ability under such bright skies. Congrats on the well deserved VROD (and #50!), plus the fine sketches.

Interesting visual challenge John. I wish you had better skies but what you do with a 4"refractor in Bortle 9 skies is incredible. Congratulations on your 50th VROD.
Joe

Thanks to your all for your fine words.

Tonight I did it all again. The painters and their construction racks were gone, so I could use my 120 mm refractor again. It does not make a very big difference from a 102mm (only 44% more light) , but it makes some objects a bit easier. Time for the party! After moving in the garden, the column and mount were a bit off and I had to reboot twice. But everything is working fine again.
Although weather conditions were almost the same, I could see some granulation in M67 instead of a plain background glow. NGC 2419 Intergalactic Wanderer was visible, not easily, but visible. Easily overlooked. Some other gems fell for the 120mm : NGC2420 OC, Planetary NGC2392 Inuit-nebula, M97 Owl and of course Galaxy NGC2903 again. M65 and M66 were at the party too. All in all a nice follow-up (party -) session!

Very nice John. Having the ability to change things even only 20 mm can make quite a difference.
Hopefully you will still have some good skies to finish the week.