Andromeda Observatory

Finally a relatively clear night.  The skies weren’t cloudy, although there was a high amount of humidity in the atmosphere causing the sky transparency to be low.

My main objective tonight was to collimate my C-8 with the new Bob’s knobs installation.  Also, I wanted to test my new 13mm Nagler type 6 which I won last month at a dinner engagement with my astronomy club.

After setting up, I took some pics of the knob installation and my scope with my canon 1000d.

Once it was dark I turned the scope on, did only 2 star alignment, and focused on Regulus (Leo) to start collimating.  I found that using the 9mm TMB out of focus got me the best results.  Using the Bob’s Knobs was a lot easier than I thought, no wonder so many people rave about them.  Now it was time to observe!

Observed Objects:

Mars
Currently in Cancer
Apparent Mag +.01

• First time viewing Mars in quite a long time.  It was quite bright, due to the atmosphere tonight the views weren’t the greatest.  However, I was able to bring some dark surface detail out by using a red filter on a 9mm TMB Planetary eyepiece.  The magnification using the C8 was 225.7x.

M67, Open Cluster in Cancer
NGC 2682
RA: 08^h 51.4^m
DEC: +11° 49′
Mag: 6.1

• I used two eyepieces to observe this relatively small open cluster.  The meade 18mm UWA and my new Nagler 13mm type 6.  Both eyepieces provide 82 degree views, M44 fit in the field of view with both EP.  I really fell in love with the Nagler views.  I thought the empty space in the background was darker and allowed for more contrast and star seeing.  I cannot wait to view an object like this in a real dark sky, unlike my mag 4 skies at home.

γ Leo, Algieba
Double Star
RA: 10^h 19^m 58.3^s
DEC: +19° 50′ 30″
Mag: 2.4/3.6

• This is a magnificent pair of golden colored stars.  Doesn’t require much magnification to observe the split.  I compared views using an Ortho and Nagler, again I preferred the views with the nagler.  I thought the contrast was much better than the UO ortho.

α Leo, Regulus
Multiple Star System
RA: 10h 08 min 22.3s
DEC: +11° 58′ 02″
Mag: 1.3/8.1/13.5

• I tried and tried to split regulus but due to transparency and an 88% moon, I think it was impossible to see the mag 8.1 K2 star.  Under my skies in the best conditions I do not think it would ever be possible to see the Mag 13.5 C star

Saturn
Currently in Leo
Apparent Mag: +.03

• It wasn’t until I looked at my handy star chart out of Sky and Telescope magazine that I realized Saturn was up in the sky.  The rings were pretty flat, blocking the chance of seeing the cassini division, but there was a great looking shadow on the surface of the planet  itself.  4 moons were visible, 2 on each side of the planet.  I used my new Nagler yet again and as expected the views were remarkable.

There were a couple other object I attempted to find tonight.  I tried to find galaxies M65 and M66 but after learning they were mag 9 plus, I quickly gave up.  I also wanted to find 54 Leo, a double star in Leo.  I was using my Telrad finder, but just got tired of bending over searching the skies.

All in all, I spent about 3 hours outside.  It was great to get out since I haven’t had much of a chance all winter.  Before next time, I am thinking about hypertuning or at least doing a little maintenance on the LXD75.  I think it needs it.

The skies were absolutely amazing today, they always seem to be after a major storm leaves.  Tonight I went to the local observatory for their weekly public observing night.  Unfortunately, the storm left the area without power.  So the observatory was closed.  The parking lot has a beautiful view of the Western Sky, so I decided to snap some shots of the Moon and Venus with my camera.

Camera: Canon XS
Lens: Canon 18mm-55mm EFS
Location: McDowell Observatory Parking Lot

Welcome to my new astronomy blog/website.  I will be building this site up over the next couple weeks as I get the time.