Observations 1-4-2011 - PART 1

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

I tried to put this report on one thread but IIS said NO - too long!!!
So here's Part One





OBSERVATIONS 1-4-2011
12” Dobsonian
9mm Nagler (x167)
WIND: Nearly calm, DEW: Light. Light pollution was a bit annoying early in the session, hence the concentration of open clusters early on. This improved later and fainter objects were looked at.

NGC 2516 OC – CARINA
RA 07 58 3
DEC -60 52
SIZE29’
MAG 3.8
Very prominent large naked-eye cluster below the “false cross”. Quite a range of magnitudes involved. A bit richer towards the centre. Many stars are in chains. Too big for the 9mm, had to hunt around to cover it.


NGC 2808 GC – CARINA
RA 09 12 02
DEC -64 51 47
SIZE13.8’
MAG 6.1
CLASS I
Bright globular, somewhat elongated. Appeared granular but no resolution, nucleus quite concentrated and intense.


NGC 3114 OC – CARINA
RA 10 02 7
DEC -60.07
SIZE35’
MAG 4.2
IMAGE: https://picasaweb.google.com/johnizz...10872274242546
Very large bright cluster in a rich starfield, rather scattered appearance with a variety of magnitudes. The above image shows it well.


NGC 3255 OC - CARINA
RA 10 26 5
DEC -60 40
SIZE2.0’
MAG 11
SOME OBSERVATIONS: http://www.docdb.net/show_object.php?id=ngc_3255
ANOTHER GOOD SITE: http://www.nightskyatlas.com/ngcData.jsp?id=CAR
IMAGE: http://www.messier45.com/cgi-bin/dsd...3&str=NGC+3255
This is another cluster in a good starfield, concentrated to the centre.


MELOTTE 101 OC – CARINA
RA 10.42 1
DEC -65 06
SIZE13’
MAG 8.0
IMAGE: http://www.docdb.net/show_image.php
Large scattered rather faint cluster in a nice starfield. No concentration, the stars seemed to be of a similar brightness.


NGC 3293 OC – CARINA
RA 10 35 50
DEC -58 13 35
SIZE6’
MAG 4.7
IMAGE: http://cs.astronomy.com/asycs/media/p/441911.aspx
Not far from the Eta Carina area. This is a called the Gem Cluster with good reason. It is a very rich and concentrated group of stars with a nice background of fainter stars. It really looks like a scattering of gemstones against black velvet. One reddish star stands out. Beautifully framed in the 9mm. One of the nicest clusters in the sky – better than the Jewel Box? Yes I think so!!.


NGC 3136 GX – CARINA
RA 10 05 48
DEC -67 22 41
SIZE 3.0’X2.0’
MAG 12.1
CLASS E
I really couldn’t see any real detail in this small galaxy. It was an evenly illuminated oval spot.


NGC 3766 OC – CENTAURUS
RA 11 36 13
DEC -61 36 55
SIZE12’
MAG 5.3
IMAGE: http://www.thecosmicartgallery.com/LambdaCentauri.php
The above photo shows a red nebula around nearby Lambda Centauri with the cluster as well.

I don’t remember spotting this cluster before, but it really is a beauty. Well over one hundred stars are involved, with the centre particularly concentrated. Flanked by a couple of mag 7 stars.


IC 2944-48 OC – CENTAURUS
RA 11 36 6
DEC -63 02
SIZE14’
MAG 4.5V
IMAGE: http://www.pbase.com/gbachmayer/image/64396952

These objects are classed as clusters but the region is filled with nebulosity, another section is IC 2948 (Running Chicken). The O-III showed it up OK and I will be revisiting it with a wider EP and trying the UHC filter too, as the gaseous area was quite extensive.


NGC 4945 GX – CENTAURUS
RA 13 05 26
DEC -49 27 48
SIZE 20’X4.4’
MAG 8.24v
This huge galaxy appears as a faint, very elongated streak. Another example of an object appearing fainter than its magnitude suggests. In spite of its size, this one is always seems rather unimpressive.


NGC 4976 GX – CENTAURUS
RA 13 08 37
DEC -49 30 23
SIZE 6.0’X3.5’
MAG 11.2
CLASS S0
This galaxy, not far from 4945, is quite prominent. It is a bit elongated with noticeably concentrated core.


NGC 5128 GX – CENTAURUS
RA 13 25 27
DEC -43 01 06
SIZE 27.0’X19.7’
MAG 6.98
CLASS E0 + Sb
IMAGE: http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im0405.html
This famous and very active galaxy never looks anywhere near as bright as the magnitude suggests. Somewhat oval shaped and the wide dark dust lane dividing it is very obvious with a faint star is at the edge of this. One “half” of this object is much bigger than the other.