Observing Reports
February 2005
1st February 2005
-Weather-
Cold
Quite clear, slight overcast of clouds
No noticeable wind.
-Report-
Wow…. another night of viewing, the weather has held up quite well this week.
Set the scope up in my second viewing site, my mother and father in-laws backyard. The only problem this site has is the streetlights from the path running adjacent to their garden. The orange glow covers the whole viewing site, but they do get a better view of the sky to the North – South.
Ursa Major is set at a great location while set up at this site. First object was M108 but failed to see it, I think my 4” scope just cant make out this dim galaxy. Also the scope was not fully cooled, but not sure if that would have a big difference. While trying to find the galaxy a satellite flew through the field of view, quite fast but very small. I love it when this happens.
Turning to Polaris I managed to split it with my 10mm for a great sight.
My father in-law came out for a quite view so I showed him some of the night’s highlights. First stop was Comet Machholz and the Seven Sisters. Then we moved over to Saturn and he was very impressed. The Andromeda Galaxy was also on view for a quick look and then over to the Orion Nebula. It was great to share these sights, as it was the first time he has ever seen them.
Well alone again……
Re-set the scope and located M81 and M82 which were both on view. These are my favourite galaxies and looked great in my scope. Tried for Coddington’s Nebula, but failed and pretty sure I need a darker site.
Back to Auriga to find the third cluster I missed on the last night. Started in the large open cluster called Melotte 31, a nice set of very bright stars near where the “Flaming Star Nebula” is located. I managed to find M38 then moved down towards M36 and finally M37. All clusters are interesting and different objects. Moving back through the list M37, M36 then M38 I found Stock 10 another nice cluster and then jumped over to Cz20 of which NCG1857 forms part of.
I have been very lucky over that past nights and this was another great one.
Clear Skies!