[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Here are the rest of my observations made in the last week

Observations 5/1/11

NGC 2069 Emission Nebula in Dorado
RA 05 38 30 Dec -69 05 00 Dim’ 18x11 Type E
Appear as an elongated arm of nebulosity to N of NGC 2070 (Tarantula Nebula in LMC). Appear to be separated from main body of NGC 2070 and to have dark lanes running either side of it. A faint star appears at north end though this may be a patch of brighter nebulosity. 2 other faint stars straddle the south end. Object is fairly bright and UHC filter improves view. Shape is sometimes hard to describe. Appear almost leaf shape when using direct vision but takes on a more triangular shape with averted vision, suggests that faint areas either side of the South end are easier seen with averted vision.

NGC 2060 Open Cluster assoc. with nebulosity in Dorado
RA 05 37 48 Dec -69 1018 Diam’ 2 Type cl (Open Cluster)

Knot of nebulosity on SW side of NGC 2070. Roughly circular, some stars associated with this area which is open cluster. 2 stars are prominent and bright, 2 other stars are just visible.

NGC 1637 Galaxy in Eridanus
RA 04 41 28.5 Dec -02 51 17 Mag(V) 10.8 Dim’ 3.3x2.7 SB 13.1 Type SAB(rs)c II

From Beta Eridani move 6deg slightly N of p to a wide triangle formed by Mu Eridani, Nu Eridani and 51 Eridani. Galaxy lies halfway between Mu and 51. Fairly large, roughly aligned NS. Dark lane mentioned in DSFG was not glimpse. Maybe suggestion of a bar. Faint star at N end

Notes added post observation. Image at http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cg...5&f=GIF&c=none shows a dark area to N and NE of core which agrees with DSFG description, but this was not possible to see visually.

NGC 1600 Galaxy in Eridanus
RA 04 31 39.9 Dec -05 05 10 Mag(V) 10.9 Dim’ 2.5x1.7 SB 12.5 Type E3

Nu Eridani has a mag 6 star 20’ to S. This points at a mag 6.5 star 2deg S and slightly p. An isosceles triangle of mag 7.5 stars lies 25’ to p. Just p of f star a faint glow can be detected. No obvious structure as expected for an elliptical galaxy. Almost a stellar core. NGC1601 and NGC1603 are associated but too faint to be seen.


Observations 7/1/11

NGC 986 Galaxy in Fornax
RA 02 33 34.3 Dec -39 02 35 Mag(V) 10.9 Dim’ 3.9x3.0 SB 13.4 Type SB(rs)ab II

From Iota Fornici a pair of mag 6 and 6.5 stars lie 1deg to N about 1deg apart aligned EW. From p star of this pair move just over 1deg to Sp past a mag 7.5 star to a pair of mag 9 stars. Target lies just N of N star. Easy to identify, little concentration, brighter parts are aligned roughly NS core looks elliptical.

Collinder 69 Open Cluster in Orion
RA 03 39 00 Dec +09 56 00 Mag 2.8 Diam’ 70 No of Stars 20 Type cl (Open Cluster)

The “head” of Orion or the Lambda Orion Cluster. Brightest stars are Lambda and Phi1 and Phi2 Orionis. Overall cluster is very large. More than filling FOV at 44x. Lambda and Phi1 have a pretty line of 3 stars running between them. Large number of cluster stars on f side. Lambda Orionis is a nice double star (Struve 738) just separated by a whisker at 67x and easy at 115x. Two fainter stars mag 10 and 11 are also clearly seen.

NGC 1981 Open Cluster in Orion
RA 05 35 12 Dec -04 26 00 Mag 4.2 Diam’ 28 No of Stars 20 Mag Brightest Star 10.0 Type cl (Open Cluster)

Bright open cluster at N end of Orion’s sword. Forms 2 triangles both pointing S. The star at Nf corner is a fairly easily split double (Struve 750)

Collinder 72 Open Cluster in Orion
RA 05 35.4 Dec -5 55 Mag 3.1 Diam’ 15

Arm of nebulosity sweeps to Nf from trapezium to bright Iota Orionis (Struve 752 which is an easy separation at 67x). Cluster is fairly large with several bright stars. Is associated with nebulosity usually known as NGC 1980. The DSFG lists NGC as both an emission nebula and an open cluster.
From what I can gather NGC 1980 only refers to the nebulosity and the cluster is correctly refered to as Collinder 72.

NGC 1977 Emission and Refection Nebula in Orion
RA 05 35 30 Dec -04 52 00 Dim’ 20x10 Type E+R BC 1-5 Colour 1-4

Just S of M43, about 1 low power field from Trapezium is a line of 3 stars forming a very obtuse triangle. The 2 outer stars of this line are brighter than the inner one. Another line of 3 fainter stars lies just to p. Nebulosity is around these stars and extends to S. Let eye drift S from M43 until it perceives a brightening (focus must be sharp!) A nebula filter allow the nebula structure to contrast with the dark structure which forms the “running man” for which this object is famous. Brightest part of the nebula is the extensions to the Np. Have observed this over several nights and each view improves detail.

NGC 1999 Emission Nebula in Orion
RA 05 36 30 Dec -06 42 00 Dim’ 2x2 Type E BC 1-5 Colour 1-4

From Iota Orionis a narrow 45’ long isosceles triangle points Sf. S star is mag 6, faint pair of mag 8 stars to Sp, target is about 15’ to p of these. Moderately bright small nebula, at 115x appears just larger than stellar with an outer envelope. Could be mistaken for a small globular. UHC Nebula filter has some effect at 115x. There is a dark structure which is clearly shown in DSS image (see http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngcdss.cgi?obj=NGC!1999&r=5:36.5&d=-06:42&e=J2000&h=19.2&w=19.2&f=GIF&c =none ) but couldn’t be made out.

Malcolm