Cta 102.

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

Using charts supplied on the S&T site and images of this quasar on CN, I finally saw it last night, after a few attempts during the week were spoiled by bad weather. Conditions weren't the best, but was able to spot it at around magnitude 13(estimated from nearby comparison stars) with a 10 inch f6 dob.
Still hard to comprehend that this object is 8 billion light years away.

[Tinderboxsky (Steve)]

Excellent catch.

Steve.

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

Thanks Steve.

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

The Quasar has brightened to magnitude 11.6 so will give it another go tomorrow night, predicted to be clear and moon doesn't rise till near 11pm.

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

With the moon out of the way , I had another go at spotting it last night using a GSO 8 inch f5 and was able to see it quite easily with a TV 13mm Ethos. With the initial magnification on the AAVSO site showing 11.8, I was expecting it to be easier to find than last time, but a quick comparison with refernce stars showed it to be around magnitude 13, and a check of the AAVSO site confirmed it had decreased in brightness. With the moon rising later and Pegasus setting in the NW, it's a good time to see this 8 billion LY object before it recedes back to it's usual 17th magnitude and out of reach of most amatuer scopes except for the largest.