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Hi Merlin,
I also issued it as a naked-eye challenge split in that article and the weekend before last I was out at my usual spot and even at my ripe old age of not quite 49, I could still see it barely split into a pair naked-eye -- though I must admit it was very difficult. Two of my companions, one extremely experienced and the other an advanced beginner failed to split it -- though it was very simple in the finder as a double and in the 'scope at x111 as a double-double.
Interested in what people's experience with this naked-eye challenge is as it is very close to the threshold for good vision so some people will succeed and others will not.
I also scored (for me) that night another naked-eye first -- an asteroid. I have spotted 1 Ceres in binoculars and 'scope before but 4 Vesta was no problem at all to see naked-eye in Capricornus. Vesta is at magnitude 5.7.
and currently close to opposition, about 3 degrees southwest of mag 5.3 Chi Capricorni.
Conditions at an outer suburban/rural site to see 4 Vesta naked-eye could hardly be better (once the Moon is out of the way) as it is in an uncrowded neighbourhood and passes close to zenith (for observers in southern Australia). Plus there is the thrill of knowing Dawn is currently in orbit around Vesta as well.
Best,
Les D
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