how does this observing plan look?

[mark3d]

hi all

I am planning an observing session for the first night in the next week and a half that doesnt have clouds.

do you think the list below is a reasonable list of targets - are there any obvious omissions? i checked stellarium to work out the best time ranges to see each one and i will print some copies of the skymaps.com star chart for in the field.. they list a lot of targets (with an explanation which is nice - its good to know some information about what you are looking at!), so im sure we will have plenty to see. the ones i have listed from 9pm onwards looks like a busy section of sky, so even if i cant find these specifically we should see something interesting.

we would like to see nebulae and if possible a galaxy or 2 (we will try to get to dark skies).. but clusters are good too. a nice view of jupiter would be great.

cheers!


6:00 - 7:30

moon
Leo galaxies


6:30

NGC 2070 Tarantula nebula


6:30 - 8:30

NGC 3372 Eta Carina Nebula
Saturn
NGC3621 Spiral galaxy


8:30

M58, M90, M57 - Virgo cluster of galaxies


6:30 - 10:30

NGC 3532 Cluster
IC 2602 SOuthern Pleiades
M104 / NGC4594 Sombrero galaxy


6:30 - 12:00

NGC 5139 Omega Centauri Cluster
NGC 4755 Jewel Box
Alpha Centauri double star


9:00 ->

M16 / NGC 6611 Eagle Nebula
M6 / NGC 6405 Butterfly Cluster
M8 / NGC 6523 Lagoon Nebula
M20 / NGC 6514 Trifid Nebula
M25 / IC 4725 Cluster


10:00 ->

Jupiter


.

[Craig.a.c (Craig)]

Looks like you've got your nights all planed out. I found observing more enjoyable when I have got a list of targets to look for.

NGC 3372 Eta Carina Nebula - Beautiful nebula, I always start my nights off by looking there first.

Have fun, and don't forget to give an updated report.

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Couple of extras:

• Look for the Leo galaxies early in the evening - easy to spot and great views
• Cruise over to the moon early for a quick look along the terminator
• Don't forget the Virgo cluster of galaxies

Keep looking up and I hope you have less clouds than we have!!

[mark3d]

thanks for the suggestions, updated the plan.. virgo looks great for galaxies from what ive just read!

[astroron (Ron)]

The Moon is nearly 40% and the Leo galaxies are in th close vercinety so you might have bit of difficulty with with them.
The Moon doesn't set till around 22:45 so the sky will be quite for looking at galaxies.
If you have any Nebula or Deep sky filters they may come in handy to darken the Sky,but note they are no good for galaxies.
I hope the sky stays clear for you.
Ron