Observing Log 05/22/2003
Location: Newmarket, Ont. 44 degrees N, 79 degrees W
Equipment: 4.5" Bushnell Newtonian, EQ mount, focal length 900mm, f/8
Eyepeices: 20mm, 10mm, 6.7mm plossls
Last night, skies were clear, so I set Heep (my humble 4.5" DS reflector) outside to cool down a little and see what Jupiter was up to. Didn't get back until nearly 11:00 local time (0300 UT). By that time Jupiter was just above my neighbour's tree, and the views were somewhat unsteady as a result of a greater degree of atmospheric turbulence than when it is near the zenith. So I gave up and tried a few other objects of interest.
I tried to get M13 in the eyepeice. This proved much more difficult than I anticipated because it was near the zenith, and I wasn't aiming the scopr properly. When I did find a globular cluster, I didn't recognize it as M13 - it appeared too small. After sighting down the scope, I realized I was looking at M92 - I must have been a good 10 degrees to the north (left) of M13. M92 is still an interesting object, and with the 10mm EP (90X) I could make out some granularity in it.
After hunting around a bit more, I finally did get M13. There's no mistaking it. It was big and bright, much more so than M92. Even at 90X, I was able to resolve some of the outer stars. With the 6.7mm EP (135X), I was able to resolve perhaps two dozen stars near the edges, but overall brightness was not reduced significantly. It may take even higher magnification.
I wandered over to Lyra, which due to its small size and easily recognizeable shape (not to mention the astronomical delights to be found there), is one of my favourite constellations. If what you want to see is in Lyra, chances are you'll find it -- and I did, M57, which showed a small, round shape, almost like an out-of-focus star, with a slightly darker core. A darker site may have shown more contrast.
I once again attempted to get a glimpse of M81/82 ... and once again, my efforts were in vain. I've had Heep since December, and it has yet to cut its teeth on a galaxy. I need a really dark site.
I packed it in shortly thereafter. It was nearly 1:00 local time, and I was pretty beat.
Alas, I seem to be in a dry viewing spell now. Saturn is gone, Jupiter going, and Mars not quite there yet (for those of us who prefer to sleep when it's dark). A 4.5" reflector from a suburban back yard isn't going to be much good on DSO's. 90% of my viewing time is on planets. Although now might be a good time to check out M4 and M5, which I have heard are even easier to resolve than M13.
Clear nights ... dark sites,
Darren
Location: Newmarket, Ont. 44 degrees N, 79 degrees W
Equipment: 4.5" Bushnell Newtonian, EQ mount, focal length 900mm, f/8
Eyepeices: 20mm, 10mm, 6.7mm plossls
Last night, skies were clear, so I set Heep (my humble 4.5" DS reflector) outside to cool down a little and see what Jupiter was up to. Didn't get back until nearly 11:00 local time (0300 UT). By that time Jupiter was just above my neighbour's tree, and the views were somewhat unsteady as a result of a greater degree of atmospheric turbulence than when it is near the zenith. So I gave up and tried a few other objects of interest.
I tried to get M13 in the eyepeice. This proved much more difficult than I anticipated because it was near the zenith, and I wasn't aiming the scopr properly. When I did find a globular cluster, I didn't recognize it as M13 - it appeared too small. After sighting down the scope, I realized I was looking at M92 - I must have been a good 10 degrees to the north (left) of M13. M92 is still an interesting object, and with the 10mm EP (90X) I could make out some granularity in it.
After hunting around a bit more, I finally did get M13. There's no mistaking it. It was big and bright, much more so than M92. Even at 90X, I was able to resolve some of the outer stars. With the 6.7mm EP (135X), I was able to resolve perhaps two dozen stars near the edges, but overall brightness was not reduced significantly. It may take even higher magnification.
I wandered over to Lyra, which due to its small size and easily recognizeable shape (not to mention the astronomical delights to be found there), is one of my favourite constellations. If what you want to see is in Lyra, chances are you'll find it -- and I did, M57, which showed a small, round shape, almost like an out-of-focus star, with a slightly darker core. A darker site may have shown more contrast.
I once again attempted to get a glimpse of M81/82 ... and once again, my efforts were in vain. I've had Heep since December, and it has yet to cut its teeth on a galaxy. I need a really dark site.
I packed it in shortly thereafter. It was nearly 1:00 local time, and I was pretty beat.
Alas, I seem to be in a dry viewing spell now. Saturn is gone, Jupiter going, and Mars not quite there yet (for those of us who prefer to sleep when it's dark). A 4.5" reflector from a suburban back yard isn't going to be much good on DSO's. 90% of my viewing time is on planets. Although now might be a good time to check out M4 and M5, which I have heard are even easier to resolve than M13.
Clear nights ... dark sites,
Darren
