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orestis
09-04-2010, 08:39 AM
Hi everyone:hi:,

It had been fairly cloudy lately but tonight was partly cloudy at first and then clear.

Just after sunset i took out the scope and it was nearly all cloudy but to the west there was an opening and i observed Venus but the view was terrible because of its low altitude.

It was beginning to get dark and i observed some old favourite double stars and the i observed Omega centauri which for this time was suprisingly Green:shrug:.

I then thought i'll observe some of the objects on the april obs challenge list and so i did-

Ngc 5128-It was fairly bright and i could see the obvious dark lane bisecting it in 2 pieces.the bottom piece was brighter than the top and it also had a bright star embeded in it.

Coal Sack-As time progressed it became more and more obvious, it was a big dark oval patch below crux.i also did a sketch (attached).

Leo triplet-These galaxies were the showcase for tonight ,they are just magnificent.At first glance all i could see were the 2 main ones m66 and m65 but as time progressed i saw the third one NGC 3628,i was so thrilled to see it as last time i didn't get to see it as it was a half moon.
M66 apeared elongated with a bright condensed core,m65 was a bright streak of light with a bright core, i think it was brighter to the right of the core,NGC 3628 was a fairly bright thin streak of light with an elongated core ,elongated towards the arms.i also did a sketch (attached).

It was an amazing night ,
Thanks to all who had the patience to read my obs report
Clear skies to all Orestis;)
*scope used was a 130mm reflector

mental4astro
09-04-2010, 12:06 PM
NGC 5128 & the Leo Triplet in a 130mm diameter scope! Brilliant stuff Orestis!

I've managed to easily see 5128 years ago through my 5" C5 from Sydney. Sydney's light pollution is much worse now, saddly. I would imagine that 5128 would be a relatively easy target from just about any other town than Metro Sydney or Melbourne.

Just needed the rope to tie of the Coal Sack, :rofl:, to stop it loosing its load as it tips upside down going circum-polar, :lol: :lol: :rofl:.

orestis
10-04-2010, 06:45 AM
Thanks for the comments Alex:thumbsup:.



:lol:

Regards Orestis;)

Rob_K
10-04-2010, 02:21 PM
Nice report & sketches Orestis! :thumbsup:

Cheers -

michaellxv
10-04-2010, 04:23 PM
Nice report, I'm glad someone found some clear sky.

Paddy
10-04-2010, 05:54 PM
Hi Orestis,

Thanks for your report and sketch. I'm very impressed with what you're able to observe through a quite modest scope. And nice sketches!

pgc hunter
10-04-2010, 06:54 PM
Great sketch of the Leo Triplet there mate :thumbsup:

orestis
12-04-2010, 07:45 AM
Thanks for all the comments:thumbsup:.

Regards Orestis;)