[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Terry B

Nice image of a pretty galaxy. Well done.
Thanks Terry

Actually I have an interesting object in Octans.
It isn't all boring.

Alp Oct is a 5.15 mag star that is catalogued as an EB star and a spectroscopic binary. The EB period is 2.88 days on very minimal data but the spectroscopic period is 9.03 days. There is clearly an error. I have measured the spectra and found a period of 2.87 days so the SB data seems to be incorrect. You can always find something interesting even in dim parts of the sky.

Thanks Terry. I managed to dig out a few more interesting things in Octans. δ Octantis is Saturn's southern pole star. BQ Octantis (mag6.8) is only 14' from the SCP--much closer than sigma. There are two stars in Octantis with known planets.There are a few binary stars. As you say, there is no part of the sky that is uninteresting.

Originally Posted by batema

Very nice galaxy. Great photo.

Mark

Originally Posted by Bart

That is awesome! Absolutely fantastic!

New challenge Mike and Trish!!

Thanks mark and Bart

Originally Posted by billdan

Well done Geoff, looks great and more galaxies in the frame as well.


I have to ask, how difficult was guiding near the pole, I tried and failed guiding close to the SCP.

Thanks Bill. I didn't have any guiding problems with this one. Perhaps it's because I have a very accurately polar aligned permanent setup.

Originally Posted by Ryderscope

A great catch with lots of interesting stuff happening.

Originally Posted by multiweb

Great field Geoff. A beautiful galaxy.

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Ditto what they said. Great work !

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Lovely field and composition.

Originally Posted by RickS

Love it, Geoff! A different object and a great image too.

Thanks Rodney, Marc, Peter, Kevin and Rick.