North Queensland trip

[glenc (Glen)]

These Are Some Of The Objects Observed From Mt Surprise And Undara Airstrips (latitude 18 S) in North Queensland over 4 nights, 27/8/08 to 31/8/08 using a 10” Dobsonian Telescope. Eyepieces were 8mm, 13mm. 21mm and 30mm, all 68 deg fields. Ron and I also used 20x80 binoculars. The first two nights were perfectly clear the last two had a bit of cloud.

Open Clusters
M52, M103, NGCs 457, 869-84 (double cluster), 1502, 1528, 6939, 7789

Globular Clusters
M13, M92, NGC6229 (the most northerly NGC GC)

Bright Nebulae (a UHC filter was used for emission nebulae)
NGCs 281, 869, 1491, 1499, 1579, 1624, 6888, 7000, 7538, 7635*, IC1396*, IC5148*, Pelican, Veil including Fleming’s Wisp, Mel 15 part of IC1805

Planetary Nebulae
M27, M57, M76, NGCs 1501, 1514, 6543 (5 deg above the horizon), 6826, 7008, 7027, 7662

Galaxies
M31-32-110 (magnificent when high in the sky), M33, NGCs 147-185*, 5866, 6946

* very difficult objects

We are planning to view more northern galaxies from Mt Surprise airstrip between Fri 7/5/2010 and Sun 16/5/2010. Ron plans to bring his 16”. You are all welcome to join us.

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

That's quite a bit of observing there Glen, congrats to both you and Ron on managing to work through such a fine list of objects.

May 2010 you say ..... Hmmmmmm!
I regret not having been able to do this trip - perhaps next time.

Steve

[astroron (Ron)]

I was able to add another three Messier objects to my list M52,M53,M103,
plus NGC 5866, aka M102
I only need M40, M81 & M82 to complete the list
M81 & M82 are only 2 degs above the horizon in May 2010, so it looks like I will have to go even further north to get them
Ron

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

Perhaps a trip to Darwin sometime Ron?
I never made it there on my previous NT trip after all.

[NQLD_Newby]

Nice Going Guys. I am annoyed with not being able to go along as it really is only a stones throw away. Hopefully next time things wont be so hectic and I will be able to tag along. Sounds like you had a great few days.

[astroron (Ron)]

Glen and I were disappointed that nobody from the north could make it it was such a great opportunity for some good observing.
Oh well maybe next time
Ron

[NQLD_Newby]

Yes I must appologise for not even letting anyone know whether I was attending or not. You see I haven't advertised the fact but I got married on the 6th of sept, so the weekend before was rather hectic getting everything organised. My thoughts were that I won't commit to coming, and if it turns out that I can make it I will just show up. Unfortunately there was just too much to do, so hopefully next time.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

Congratulations Rex

Adrian

[glenc (Glen)]

Congratulations Rex. Hope you can make it next time. (Mt Surprise, May 2010)

[ngcles]

Hi Glen,

Seems you had a great time.

I've got some very pleasant memories of binocular observing a couple of times from the Whitsunday Islands where I also bagged M52, 103 and the Double Cluster (NGC 869 & 884) using 10x50s and 15x70s.

Still got a handful of Messiers to go -- M81, 82, 40, 97, 101 I think. Must do it again some time -- it is a wonderful part of the world.

What was your impression of NGC 1499 (the California Nebula)? I've only seen it once with the 18" -- and the "problem" it has is in getting a big enough field. I detected several "edges" but couldn't see the whole thing.

... and congrats Rex.

Best,

Les D

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by glenc

We are planning to view more northern galaxies from Mt Surprise airstrip between Fri 7/5/2010 and Sun 16/5/2010. Ron plans to bring his 16”. You are all welcome to join us.

Keep us posted. Here's hoping life changes and I can come - would love to.

[glenc (Glen)]

I saw NGC 1499 with 20x80s and with the 10" Dob using a UHC filter on a 21mm EP. I can't see all of it, but 20x80s show the shape pretty well and the Dob shows the bright parts.