47 Tucanae

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

Hi all! I was out observing last night, the presence of the full moon limited my targets. I observed Sirius first to try and split it to see the Pup. Just was not happening last night, atmosphere was not too steady and high humidity.

The highlight was NGC 107 ( 47 Tucanae). Splendid sight in my 10 inch dob. I tried a very high magnification of 480x and was rewarded with the 3D sight of thousands of stars floating above the glowing core, with what looked like a close double star within the cluster prominent. Just amazing! Happy observing all!

Joe

[Startrek (Martin)]

That’s a particularly high magnification 480x for such a bright object
In my 12” Goto dob I’m usually using my Panoptic 27mm or Delos 17.3 mm at a magnification of 66x to 86x ( eye pieces APFOV 68 to 72 degrees)
Did you fit the whole glob in your FOV ?
What eye piece did you use and what Bortle skies do you observe under ?

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

That’s a particularly high magnification 480x for such a bright object
In my 12” Goto dob I’m usually using my Panoptic 27mm or Delos 17.3 mm at a magnification of 66x to 86x ( eye pieces APFOV 68 to 72 degrees)
Did you fit the whole glob in your FOV ?
What eye piece did you use and what Bortle skies do you observe under ?

Hi mate. I used my 5mm Saxon 68 degree eyepiece combined with my X2 Barlow lens. This was actually the first time I've observed a DSO at such a high magnification. I just wanted to try and see what happens. Turned out surprisingly good! The whole core of the glob fit in. I observe in Bortle 6 skies. Cheers

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by EpickCrom

Hi mate. I used my 5mm Saxon 68 degree eyepiece combined with my X2 Barlow lens. This was actually the first time I've observed a DSO at such a high magnification. I just wanted to try and see what happens. Turned out surprisingly good! The whole core of the glob fit in. I observe in Bortle 6 skies. Cheers

Must have been an extremely stable night for such high magnification

I rarely go higher than 150x under my bortle 3 skies with globs, opens , galaxies and Nebula
Anything higher and resolution is affected
Lunar and planetary observing I sometimes go a little deeper
Cheers

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

Must have been an extremely stable night for such high magnification

I rarely go higher than 150x under my bortle 3 skies with globs, opens , galaxies and Nebula
Anything higher and resolution is affected
Lunar and planetary observing I sometimes go a little deeper
Cheers

The seeing is regularly stable here in the west. I normally use no more than 100x on open clusters, globulars and nebulae. For galaxies and planetary nebulae I generally go over 300x. Planets and the moon I regularly use 400x. Even higher on really good nights. Wow bortle 3, you are a lucky man! Cheers and clear skies

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

Thanks for sharing your observations Joe. Sirius B is doable in a 10 Inch, may take a couple attempts, let us know when you are successful.

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

Originally Posted by GUS.K

Thanks for sharing your observations Joe. Sirius B is doable in a 10 Inch, may take a couple attempts, let us know when you are successful.

Hi Ivan, thanks. I have split Sirius successfully once before in Nov 2020. I have not been able to do it again since! I will try again on a night of good seeing. Thanks and clear skies to you