Caldwell blues

[mickoking]

G,day

I have noticed that a few people in this forum are using Caldwell catalogue numbers. At the risk of sounding grumpy Whats wrong with the NGC/IC catalogues?

[edosaurus_rex]

How we refer to objects is probably more a function of the list we used to find them in the first place. I personally don't know many of the NGC numbers of the Messier Objects because I started my Deep Sky observing with the Messier list. Fortuneately the Caldwell List is well known and if somebody uses C56 for example, you can readily find out what it is. But something like K30, "K" for Ed's Southern Gems Deep Sky Objects between -34 and -45 Dec visible from Texas List, is definitely NOT a good choice of catalogs to quote.

Clear, dark skies

Ed K (Author of the extremely obscure K Catalog!)

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

G'day Micko,

You don't sound particularly grumpy, but may I ask what you think is so wrong about using the Caldwell designation? (I get the feeling that you're not alone in not liking them, but perhaps 100 years ago people were suspicious of Messier, who know?)

Just out of curiosity, do most handcontrollers and DSCs allow you to search by Caldwell number? (I know the Autostar does.)

Go Levy!

Brian.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I compromise and accept that the various catalogues are sub sets which may be handy. Generally they refer to brighter objects easier for amateurs.
I like the Hartung # ( cos he was Australian) and Bennett # ( cos I worked with him in RSA!)

[mickoking]

You are correct miaplacidius I don't think much of the Caldwell catalogue. I am very happy with M/NGCand IC

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

One thing I DO like about the Caldwell Objects is that you've got a rough idea of an object's declination just from the number alone. At least the designation codes SOME useful information. Still, I don't use them much myself, although there are a couple that don't have NCG/IC numbers. Anyway, maybe I'll use them more after Patrick Moore dies, out of respect. (He's not dead yet, by any chance, is he?)

BTW, still waiting on the Micko catalogue

Cheers, Brian.

[mickoking]

Brian , I don't think I will do a Micko catalogue because it will probably be worse than the calwell catalogue At least my list would include NGC5189


BTW, I have the highest respect for Patrick Moore as his books were instramental in developing my love of Astronomy particually as a pre-teen.