The Winter Sky
After three weeks without having a chance to use the scope due to cloud and the waxing moon threatening to spoil the last chance of a tour of the winter sky, last night was clear and offered a perfect chance of a tour the best the night sky has to offer.
I started off with M42, always magnificent and showing structure in the nebulous whisps around the trapezium. M43 was visible and even a hint of NGC1977 (Running Man Nebula). Then it was off to Sigma Orionis the wonderful multiple system. I tried to see the nearby Horsehead Nebula but it was too faint for the light pollution present. A half hearted attempt to find M78, which I have observed before, proved fruitless.
M41 in Canis Major was easy to find. A fine open cluster with a bright red star near the centre. Then I tried Mira (omicron Ceti) which I found starhopping from Menkar. On the way I observed the M77 Seyfert galaxy near Delta Ceti.
Next stop was the M1 (Crab Nebula) easily found near Zeta Tauri. This is very faint but is an obvious bright nebular patch. I then went over to Triangulum and the elusive Triangulum Galaxy M33. This object was found but is so faint that if I didn't know its position I would never have seen it. In my viewing conditions it is a very slightly brighter patch of sky. Once you know its there it is obvious. To make up I went over to the very easy M31, M32 galaxies in Andromeda, always very easy to find.
However all this was done whilst waiting for the main event. Saturn had risen to an appreciable height, some 32 degrees. It was magnificent. I tried a magnification of x240. Very evident were the cloud bands, especially one in the Southern hemisphere and the Cassini Division. It is ineresting to note how much the rings have closed up since my last observation earlier this year. The moons were also visible especially Titan to the West but also Tethys (between Titan and Saturn), Dione (on the opposite side) and Rhea to the South of the planet. Nearby I observed the interesting Algieba (Gamma Leonis), a fine orange double, very easy to resolve.
Altogether a very satisfying night's viewing.
I started off with M42, always magnificent and showing structure in the nebulous whisps around the trapezium. M43 was visible and even a hint of NGC1977 (Running Man Nebula). Then it was off to Sigma Orionis the wonderful multiple system. I tried to see the nearby Horsehead Nebula but it was too faint for the light pollution present. A half hearted attempt to find M78, which I have observed before, proved fruitless.
M41 in Canis Major was easy to find. A fine open cluster with a bright red star near the centre. Then I tried Mira (omicron Ceti) which I found starhopping from Menkar. On the way I observed the M77 Seyfert galaxy near Delta Ceti.
Next stop was the M1 (Crab Nebula) easily found near Zeta Tauri. This is very faint but is an obvious bright nebular patch. I then went over to Triangulum and the elusive Triangulum Galaxy M33. This object was found but is so faint that if I didn't know its position I would never have seen it. In my viewing conditions it is a very slightly brighter patch of sky. Once you know its there it is obvious. To make up I went over to the very easy M31, M32 galaxies in Andromeda, always very easy to find.
However all this was done whilst waiting for the main event. Saturn had risen to an appreciable height, some 32 degrees. It was magnificent. I tried a magnification of x240. Very evident were the cloud bands, especially one in the Southern hemisphere and the Cassini Division. It is ineresting to note how much the rings have closed up since my last observation earlier this year. The moons were also visible especially Titan to the West but also Tethys (between Titan and Saturn), Dione (on the opposite side) and Rhea to the South of the planet. Nearby I observed the interesting Algieba (Gamma Leonis), a fine orange double, very easy to resolve.
Altogether a very satisfying night's viewing.
posted by Albireo at 9:06 AM
6 Comments:
Thanks for the report as it is a nice tour of the winter sky and gives a sense of your skies.
NGC1977 & M33 are objects that just haven't been captured from my observing location and lean to the impossible side because of light pollution. I'd lump M110 into that as well.
I know what you mena by Saturn's rings and watching the northern pole grow from "behind" the rings.
peter
prada handbags, nike outlet, chanel handbags, tory burch outlet, louboutin pas cher, ugg boots, replica watches, michael kors, longchamp pas cher, kate spade outlet, louboutin outlet, louis vuitton, louis vuitton outlet, ralph lauren pas cher, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, uggs on sale, nike air max, longchamp, nike air max, air max, louis vuitton, ugg boots, gucci outlet, air jordan pas cher, tiffany jewelry, oakley sunglasses, jordan shoes, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton outlet, tiffany and co, prada outlet, christian louboutin outlet, louboutin, sac longchamp, ray ban sunglasses, louis vuitton, polo ralph lauren outlet, burberry, oakley sunglasses, cheap oakley sunglasses, polo ralph lauren outlet, nike free, nike free, louboutin shoes, replica watches, ray ban sunglasses, nike roshe run, longchamp outlet, ray ban sunglasses
asics running shoes, mac cosmetics, reebok shoes, soccer shoes, beats by dre, vans shoes, hollister, chi flat iron, vans, hollister, ghd, jimmy choo shoes, ray ban, north face outlet, nike air max, nike air max, baseball bats, birkin bag, nike trainers, mcm handbags, ralph lauren, nike huarache, oakley, lancel, abercrombie and fitch, new balance, lululemon, instyler, longchamp, hollister, nike roshe, babyliss, gucci, bottega veneta, ferragamo shoes, herve leger, mont blanc, insanity workout, timberland boots, celine handbags, p90x workout, soccer jerseys, north face outlet, iphone cases, nfl jerseys, converse outlet, wedding dresses, louboutin, converse, valentino shoes
karen millen, moncler, louis vuitton, bottes ugg, pandora charms, canada goose uk, swarovski, moncler outlet, moncler, supra shoes, louis vuitton, toms shoes, moncler, thomas sabo, juicy couture outlet, sac louis vuitton pas cher, swarovski crystal, louis vuitton, hollister, moncler, montre pas cher, canada goose, moncler, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, coach outlet, marc jacobs, moncler, louis vuitton, links of london, canada goose, replica watches, canada goose outlet, wedding dresses, pandora jewelry, moncler, ugg pas cher, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, canada goose, pandora jewelry, canada goose, canada goose outlet, juicy couture outlet, doudoune canada goose, pandora charms, ugg boots uk
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the issues. It was definitely informative.
http://tbeby.com/obesity/
http://tbeby.com/underweight/
It's great that the article thank you for uploading, hopefully useful for writers and those who read
Cara Mengatasi Infeksi Saluran Kemih
Cara Alami Mengobati Thalasemia
Cara Alami Mengobati Polip Serviks
Obat Penyakit Kista
Post a Comment
<< Home