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Old 26-04-2009, 12:47 AM
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Davekyn (David)
Loves Staring Into Space!

Davekyn is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hervey Bay QLD Au
Posts: 493
12" Dob Out Of Town - Carina/Centaurus & Leo

NGC3372 / NGC4945 / NGC4835 /NGC 5128 & M65 & M66
Date 25/4/09
Time 8-11pm
Seeing – Clear/moderate to cool & dry
Light pollution – Very Low, minor sky glow, reasonable dark site.
Location – 12km SW of Toowoomba (Federation Park)
Telescope 12” Dob – 1.25” Bintel UHC filter

I’m new at this...my apologies if you can’t follow it.

Not a bad nights viewing. Took the young fella (12) who seems to like making the cupas and using the 10X50s, if not just hanging out and drawing a few pics himself hoping the next time we’ll camp.

Took the 12” Dob out after having practiced with the ED80 & studying some pics of the Carina Neb...The effort paid off as this time round, I had a much better idea as to what area of the Nebula I was looking at. First off I used my 2” GSO 42 Super View which equates to aprox 35X/1.9 degrees. Not having a 2” filter I basically used this EP to get my bearings as I peeked from the scope to my iphones PDF reader to which I earlier prepared some digitized maps & photos. I was much better prepared this time round and boy oh boy how the clouds just billowed out as I put in my 1.25” 25mm plossel – 60X/.9 of a degree...& my Bintel UHC filter. Truly if I was impressed with how the filter worked in my little ED scope...I was truly blown away with the results my 12” Dob was doing with this filter...

Use this Detailed Map as I refer to the areas I viewed:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../NGC_3372d.jpg

OK...so...not having the FOV with filter to cover the lot, I started by locating the dark nebulous patch down the bottom area , just above the Large Variable 520w...Once I confirmed this location with the triangular pattern of stars tightly packed just off to the side of this dark region, (Area d1 Herbig Haro Object Stellar Jet area),I slowly moved about admiring how noticeably the lighter and darker areas seem to fold into each other. I never really got a chance to see the effect with M42 Orion, and although I am sure if I put in as much effort, during its peak viewing times, I’m not quite sure it would win over on this.

After checking out the star cluster (c1) I headed over to the “keyhole Neb & was very satisfied to make out its shape, however note that if I stared to long at it, that it’s dark region would spill out into the surrounding area losing its shape. I found it better to keep my eyes moving about to enhance the shape of the darker regions by keeping the brighter ones actively reflecting off the cones of my eyes...or however it works.

I wanted to see what my 12mED2 EP from AOE would do, and slipped it in for a squiz...not bad...not as dull as I thought it would be...key whole still held its shape, whoever I do believe I lost a fair bit of nebulosity...I was getting tired with all my concentration at this stage and was keen to move on...perhaps as I learn more about it, and do a few sketches I can attempt to see my details down the track...none the less I was really impressed with tonight’s viewing of the Carina Neb.

Before I packed up...it’s not often that I drag the big fella out...I wanted a quick peek at some galaxies that seem to elude my ED80...first I tried for 3 in Centuraus...NGC4945...I just could not get this one to show up in the little scope...BUT...I smiled as I could easily make out the rather large elongated shape, between the two stars angled so in the picture I studied previously on wiki...I must say though, I am glad my ED80 gave me a clear address to look at as it did show up the little triangle within a triangle nicely (and the two stars that reside either side of the galaxy...just not there with the ED J )...I knew exactly where to look and I have to say that NGC4945 was the best galaxy I’ve seen so far in my 12” Dob....................OK.....just above the Omega Glob I spied on NGC5128 & yea I could see the dark lane in the middle of that galaxy...BUT...It was as if I could only see half the picture? Like at first-WOW I can see the dark lane...but what happened to the other half of the galaxy...weird. Well having had a good night, I thought I would try a Mag 12 Galaxy...NGC4835...I had to star hop well and target just the right triangle (such a common shape)...I found it...and look forward to getting better views with new techniques or simply practicing the ones I know...........OK lastly just a quick look below Saturn...yea...found that star and its neighbor...off to the left to find that sickle shaped pattern above Leo...target just above the handle and presto M66 and 65 show up nice and bright in my 25mm plossel...not sure if with that EP, but I do believe I glimpsed a third galaxy, however, was more interested to see what my 12mm would do...It was able to keep both 66 & 65 “JUST in FOV, however time was running out, & I was unsure how I felt on the contrast and what not. I was happy to still be able to make out the overall shape as I centered each galaxy in the 12mm.

Well...time to pack...all I could think was that next time I would need all night to do my sketch a the Carina neb and record me obs as I go next time...will have to take the tent for sure. Overall I’m happy with my progress.

Last edited by Davekyn; 26-04-2009 at 05:39 AM.
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