Home Forums RAC Main Forum General Discussion Observing tonight? Re: Observing tonight?

#10456
Luka B
Participant

    I got there about 9. I also had a fairly productive evening.  I started with an open cluster in Cassiopeia. Probably NGC 663. Then I found M103.  Next I printed off a finder chart for M106. I used CVn 3 and 5 to hop to M106. It was right in a scope, very easy. It was quite bright and fuzzy. Next I hopped to M63. That was fainter, harder to find, and didn't reveal any structure. Feeling good, I made and attempt at M109. Since UMa is higher in the sky at this point, I was able to find it. It was quite faint though. Next I looked for M108, which I had failed to find last month. I found that too, it was quite long. And a nearby I saw the Owl Nebula. It was very round, but I couldn't see the eyes. Next I tried to find M3. I just couldn't find it. It is quite a ways from any bright star. I gave up after 15 or 20 minutes. I had just barely seen M66/M65 earlier, but I returned to it, and it was very bright as it rose higher in the sky. This time I was able to see their companion, NGC 3628. I'm quite sure I found NGC 3593, but that was really faint. I continued the search to M96 and M95. These were harder because there were fainter stars in the region, and no super-clear guide-stars. I did find M95 and M96, and I think I saw 1 or 2 other galaxies in the region, but I'm not sure if that was M105 or one of the other 5 galaxies around there.  Pressing my luck I tried for M101 which has repeatedly eluded me. After a few minutes I did see a very faint glow right were it was supposed to be. I couldn't resolve anything.  With Brandon's suggestion, I tried t find M66/M65 in my binoculars, and sure enough, since they were higher in the sky, I could see them. They were very faint in my 15×70's, but definitely there. I think I saw one in Brandon's 10×50's.  My last targets were in the Virgo galactic cluster.  I found Rho Virginis, and hopped up towards zenith and found M58. I also went down and to the left from there, and found what I think is M60, but it might've been M59. 

    I did make a small improvement to my scope. I fashioned a light shield for the front. Its a fairly thin aluminum sheet in a loop, 12" long, with a black velvet attached  to the inside. That did seem to help increase some contrast when looking at the light polluted areas. It's not super easy to get on or take off, so I didn't do too much of a thorough test. I think this will help even more for our sidewalk event.