Good Nights Observing 11/11/06

[astroron (Ron)]

I had the 16" out for the first time in a while, started observing at 18:50.
First object observed was Comet 2006 M4 (SWAN) at around 7th mag it was quite bright even it was only 16degs above the horizon and still twilight, there was the barest hint of a tail,the comet was quite a bit brighter toward the centre, apparently the comet brightened to mag 5 and was seen naked eye with a 5deg tail about 10 days ago.
Other Objects observed where GrusTriplet +1(Ngc's7582/7590/7599/7552,
just about on the Meridian at around 20:30 were very crisp in the 21 mm Plossl and 2xbarlow. Ngc 104(47TUC) was as usual just stunning as was Ngc 2070 the Tarantula Neb in the LMC.
Spent some fun time looking at Dunlop double stars using the ARGO NAVIS, this is a great tool, I would be lost without it.
Other galaxies observed were Ngc's 224 (M31) 908,981,1365,1448,1556,1569,1637, 2207/IC2163.
Some quite bright Meteors where seen with two very bright quick flashes from face on meteors
The Moon rose above the hill in the East at about 01:00 and after a quick peek called it a very satisfying night.
The temp got down to 15.1 and the seeing at it's best was about 7-10, trans 8-10.

[Dennis]

Nice report Ron - sounds like you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing the experience, for those that were locked indoors due to social duties!

Cheers

Dennis

[astroron (Ron)]

Dennis, I also spent some Quality time just sitting under the Stars with the Bino's, I also have night vision image intensifier and was watching the Wallabies, Possums and Bandicoots going about their business, makes for a great night

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I truely didn't think that SWAN would be visable at our latitudes Ron. Something to look for this coming weekend!
Great report, keep them coming.

[glenc (Glen)]

I invited my neighbour over last night and showed him some clusters, nebulae and galaxies with my new 12". Hopefully he understands about light pollution now. His house faces the doors to my observatory.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Looks like we all had the same idea Ron. Sya and I spent an hour or so on a mattress out in the back yard with the laser pointer and a pair of binoculars. It was a lovely night checking out galaxies and cluster

[astroron (Ron)]

JJJ at 19:00 next Saturday Comet SWAN will be about 20degs above the horizon,but it will be getting fainter as the days get longeeeeerr but it will still be quite observable for a few more weeks in larger scopes

[Ric]

Good th hear that it was a good night up North. My night started well but the stars started to boil with upper air turbulence and then the clouds started to roll in from the West and it was all over by 10:30.
I did get a good 1/2 view of NGC253 Sculptor Galaxy both through the 26mm and then the 12mm which was very spectacular, I then went after a few of Ving's doubles in Sculptor but conditions were quite poor by then and splitting them was almost impossible.
I also had an attempt at a newly listed comet Jedicke which appears to have split into 3 components but at 10.65 that was quite optimistic although at times I thought I was catching glimpses of a very faint fuzzy.

cheers

[astroron (Ron)]

Paul just wait till you get to your new home with a darker sky and you will do it more often.

[astroron (Ron)]

Ric, where did you get the info on comet 173p/JEDICKE? I have just downloaded the file from CBAT and its given mag is 18.4, it must have really brightened considerably in a short time. What is your source of info astroron

[Ric]

Hi Astroron, I download through Star Atlas Pro from the "IAU Minor Planet Centre".
I've included some screen dumps of the coordinates that I downloaded a few minutes ago for Jedicke AI and U2.

Hope it helps, should look good through the 16"

cheers

[ving (David)]

sounds like you had a ball

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

It was OK for us at the Oaks from dark until around 1:15am, which saw the fog and clouds close us down completely. I was having fun with the new 8" Newt and Jenny was having a real ball picking off (with the help Astronut & others) Messier objects through her 3" Newt. She saw (all through this little scope) M6, M7, M8, M22, M41, M42/43 & M45. I managed to catch Andromeda before she slipped into the clouds. Very faint but nevertheless visible. A great night had by all!

[Ric]

Hi Omaroo, it sounds like you and Jenny had a great night with the scopes.
Did you know in 30 years as a amateur astronomer I have never seen Andromeda, It has always been in the wrong place for me to observe.
Hopefully that will all change soon as the C8 is now set up at the our beach house and I'll have a clear view across the ocean to the North right to horizon's edge and a dark sky as well. I'm eagerly looking forward to finally getting to view this elusive galaxy.

cheers

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Ric

Did you know in 30 years as a amateur astronomer I have never seen Andromeda, It has always been in the wrong place for me to observe.
Hopefully that will all change soon as the C8 is now set up at the our beach house and I'll have a clear view across the ocean to the North right to horizon's edge and a dark sky as well. I'm eagerly looking forward to finally getting to view this elusive galaxy.

cheers

I wish you well Ric

Andromeda certainly wasn't spectacular - just a smudge really. Nothing like the brochure.....

Tarantula was great last night too though the 8", 2x Barlow and a 2" 32mm Plossl. It really was fun last night.

I know what you're saying, because that's what I say about Sombrero.

[glenc (Glen)]

My best view of M31 is in 20x80 binocs.
They show it all, not just the centre.
Its 20 deg above the horizon here at 22hrs DST.

[CoombellKid]

M31 is a naked eye object here, like Glen says it best to see it in bino due
to it's size. In a scope you might pickup N206 which is actually a star cluster
within M31. Not bad for a cluster to be detected near 3million lyrs away. In
an 8" newt anyways.

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I was using a SkyWatcher 8" f/5 with 1,000mm f/l and 32mm EP giving 32x mag.

Bino's are on the list next.........

[Ric]

I haven't checked any charts yet so I hope it's still around when I get down to the coast next month otherwise it will be yet another season to wait.

cheers