Cta 102.

GUS.K (Ivan) · #1 10-12-2016, 12:45 PM

Using charts supplied on the S&T site and images of this quasar on CN, I finally saw it last night, after a few attempts during the week were spoiled by bad weather. Conditions weren't the best, but was able to spot it at around magnitude 13(estimated from nearby comparison stars) with a 10 inch f6 dob.
Still hard to comprehend that this object is 8 billion light years away.

Tinderboxsky (Steve) · #2 10-12-2016, 02:36 PM

Excellent catch.

Steve.

GUS.K (Ivan) · #3 11-12-2016, 07:26 PM

Thanks Steve.

GUS.K (Ivan) · #4 16-12-2016, 07:53 PM

The Quasar has brightened to magnitude 11.6 so will give it another go tomorrow night, predicted to be clear and moon doesn't rise till near 11pm.

GUS.K (Ivan) · #5 18-12-2016, 01:40 PM

With the moon out of the way , I had another go at spotting it last night using a GSO 8 inch f5 and was able to see it quite easily with a TV 13mm Ethos. With the initial magnification on the AAVSO site showing 11.8, I was expecting it to be easier to find than last time, but a quick comparison with refernce stars showed it to be around magnitude 13, and a check of the AAVSO site confirmed it had decreased in brightness. With the moon rising later and Pegasus setting in the NW, it's a good time to see this 8 billion LY object before it recedes back to it's usual 17th magnitude and out of reach of most amatuer scopes except for the largest.