Galaxy Search

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 15-03-2005, 12:04 AM

Another absolutely perfectly clear night 40km West of Ballarat here at Snake Valley.

Started on the Fornax Cluster while waiting for Virgo to come up.

Fornax? They should rename it the Eridanus Cluster as that's where 80% of the galaxies are!

Found 28 of the group of about 45 galaxies.

The spirals are definately better than those in Virgo or the Sthn Pinwheel (M83).

When Virgo was finally high enough I started at the small group near the Porrima double star. Then moving north into the second of the small clusters.

After enjoying those for about 20 minutes I moved down to the most northern tip of Virgo and worked my way, Galaxy by Galaxy, up to 'Markarian's Chain' which consists of Spirals, Ellipticals and Irregulars. I think I found all the main 7, as some of the ones I saw off to the side are not recognised as belonging to Markarian's Chain.

All up, I have had a great night of Galaxy hunting.

I did look for the Comet near 47Tuc but couldn't find it. Not that I looked very hard. I rushed it a bit! I wanted to concentrate on Galaxies tonight.

Again my Fornax and Virgo searches were initially with 30mm SuperView then Galaxy hopped with 15mm Plossl.

I hope you all have clear skies tonight.

Starkler (Geoff) · #2 15-03-2005, 12:29 AM

Bagged a few galaxies tonight myself

ngc 4945
ngc1291
ngc1316/7
ngc3585
ngc3621
ngc5102

plus a few of the fornax mob.

RAJAH235 · #3 15-03-2005, 12:34 AM

Ken, You should chalk them up on the side of your t'scope, like the WWII fighter pilots! How long were you out?
Geoff, sounds like you also had a good nite with clear skies for a change.
I tried SIRIUS again tonite, but even at 356x/308x & down to 234X, with the 80mm ap.stop + shaped masks, could not see the little bludger. Seeing was ex., clear & calm.
Might try in a few mths/yrs., when they separate a bit more.

L.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #4 15-03-2005, 12:35 AM

Good one Geoff.

I don't know the names and Messier, NGC numbers of objects. I have never really learned them. I just point and look.

I suppose I should learn them so I can report exactly what I saw and then others can look at them too.

Sorry for that.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 15-03-2005, 12:40 AM

Laurie,

I was out from 9:30 till nearly Midnight.

Rotten fog came in again. Only up to shoulder height, but boy, it makes everything very wet.

Still no sign of the clouds we are suppose to have. Sounds like Geoffs weather cleared up too!

Edit: I looked up some star maps on the net and got the numbers of the galaxies I viewed tonight for anyone that is interested.

FORNAX: N-1316, 1326, 1365, 1404, 1399, 1427, 1380, 1387, 1374, 1350, 1344, 1425, 1398, 1371, 1385, 1302, 1255, 1332, 1300, 1232, 1187, and a few that did not have numbers next to them on the map I used.

VIRGO: NGC-4754, 4762, 4536, 4216, QSO-3C273, M-49, 61, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 99.

Jeez it's sounds a lot when I write them all out!

Hope that helps.

RAJAH235 · #6 15-03-2005, 12:44 AM

Lucky that you're fairly tall,eh?

L.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #7 15-03-2005, 12:50 AM

Thanks for keeping us involved Ken! Love to read your posts and I'm filled with envy of your location & your scope.

Third night tonight when I took the scope out for cooling shortly after sunset under clear blue skies; few hours later, nothing up there but clouds.

I spend more time lugging around that 8" Dob than looking through it.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 15-03-2005, 01:07 AM

Tonight was supposed to be the last night of clear weather for a while.

I have edited in the Classification numbers in my previous post.

Thanks Steve. Bummer when you set up and can't do anything!

Hey Laurie, I'm only about 5'6" tall, but here's my scope score:

Starkler (Geoff) · #9 15-03-2005, 03:38 PM

Last night was the debut for my little ebay voice recorder.

Last time I went galaxy hunting I saw so many that I forgot which ones looked like what. Then I decided I was going to keep notes so I could revisit the most impressive ones at another time

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #10 15-03-2005, 04:15 PM

Brilliant idea Geoff.

That's another idea to put into practice.
Too hard to write notes out in the dark and damp, and looking through an EP!

p.s. Do you use your 'Radio Announcer' Voice or talk normal? Funny how a lot of people talk different when recording themselves.

ving (David) · #11 15-03-2005, 04:38 PM

I have a sexy phone voice!
call me now on 555 - ving! I am waiting for you

my god you found heaps ken! wish my skies were darker so i could see more

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 15-03-2005, 04:51 PM

Close your eyes David, then it is REALLY dark!

I start at an obvious Galaxy then slowly Galaxy hop following the crummy maps I have.

p.s. was that 555 - ving? I'll ring tonight honey.