Reports for August, 2001
The Music
A Clutch of Doubles
A Farewell to Antares
Heading Down the "Final" Stretch
Sagittarius Exiting Stage Right
Just Mars - for a Very Good Reason
Moon Eats Saturn!
Astronomy and Current Events
Down But Not Out
Onward and Upward!
Quest for the Edge
"Bright" Nebula, Sometimes Not So Bright...
Round and Round and Round

The Music

Some quarter century ago was a member of a creative arts group that travelled around Northeastern Connecticut performing music and plays for non-profit schools and organizations. Most of my time and energy was dedicated to creating and performing music on guitar. The tune you (may be) hearing now ("The Dance of the Light Elves") came out of that era. Fellow musician at the time (jazz saxophonist Steve Shrell) doubled up with me on silver flute to record the composition. This was done in a "basement recording studio". (Read: Couple microphones, 4-track reel to reel and a cassette tape recorder.) If you listen to "Dance of the Light Elves", you may get a sense of jubilation. Jubilation after struggle and celebration on completion.

And as such should be the month of September's report series. For "Dance of the Light Elves" is the last recording on the tape that came out of that era of composition and recording. And this will be the last in this series of monthly observation reports. - A series that began one year ago when I purchased Argo's precursor at an Orion Binocular and Telescope parking lot sale and later returned that hopelessly defective OTA for the "optically correct" 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain that has accompanied most of my astro-journeyings of the past year...

To be sure the month of September 2001 started rather spectacularly. For one, I have never, ever, had as fine a view of Selene as the one experienced last night. Despite full-moon lack of contrast, the quality of the night air was such that not a single blemish could be made out along Luna's limb. It is impossible for me to give my readers a sense of just how pristine and crystalline this view was. For those who follow these reports, the only hint possible is to say that I had no difficulty viewing the surface without dissipointment even at the highest possible magnifications. I can also go on to say that the otherwise featureless floor of Crater Plato revealed no less than four, white and well-defined craterlets requiring absolutely no aversion whatsoever to detect. Accompanying this group was one other craterlet on the margin of direct vision plus a plethora of smaller features under averted vision. Every true crater found on Selene's ample form showed razor-sharp rimae. Every luminous ray extrordinarily well-defined and showing extremely fine grades of filamentation.

But this view of Selene came just before putting Argo up for the night.

Such a night was mostly for very tough double stars.

To begin with had no trouble turning up STT383. New charts received from fellow observer Cor Berrevoets removed all ambiguity as to this 7th magnitude stars location. Started by dropping in on Delta Cygni. Delta showed the typical 7/10 stability view: Airy disk of primary ejecting luminosity out to the first diffraction ring. 6.4 magnitude secondary distinct and located well away from the threat of primary flaring. Decided to jack up the magnification. At 540X, sweet gray white airy disk of the secondary could be seen well away from the primaries influence. Primarys single diffraction ring distinct from its well defined but slightly unruly airy disk. Made an eyeball estimate of the relative sizes of the two stars airy disks: Primary about half-again as large as the secondary. Conditions would be excellent for resolving disparate (7.1/8.3), tight (.8 arc-second) STT383. The star was easily found some five degrees south of Delta.

The early view was suggestive but not definitive. At the time could hold stars unaided down to about 4.0. Stability not quite as good as later. Even so it was clear that something was different about this star. Eye movement revealed a "defect" near the small 7.1 magnitude primarys airy disk. The anomaly was located to the north-northeast. 360X made this evident. 540X sometimes showed a "dim companion". But it wasn't definitive. Decided to revisit the star later in the evening.

As you might guess it never did get much darker. The Moon was huge and rising to the southeast behind the foliage. The sky darkened to about magnitude 4.4 ZULM and stayed there. Despite the stability of the sky, 540X barely showed the 13.0 star east of the Ring direct. Later, as the Moon cleared the local foliage I understood why. There was a vague haze hanging in the air...

Before resuming the evening's double star theme, dropped in on the Great Hercules Cluster. Despite limited transparency (maximum telescopic limiting magnitude of 13.0 at maximum magnification), Very fine: Hundreds of stars resolvable - but no sense of "star chaining". Sky backdrop just too bright...

Turned Argo on Gamma Coronae Borealis - another "challenge double" from AstroTalk. Very tight (.74 arc-seconds) and somewhat disparate (magnitudes 4.1 & 5.6). Brightness of the primary meant it would have a relatively large airy disk. Very unlikely that a complete resolve was in the offing. Was only hoping to see the secondary as a "bump" on the limb of the primary. And that was exactly what I saw - but in the wrong position! As I was about to write up my triumphal results checked against Cor's notes on this pair. I was seeing it to the west whereas the position angle (115 degrees) is east-southeast. Decided that trying to stand up and view a close double whizzing past the eyepiece at 540X was not a good idea. Pulled up the observing stool and decided to take my time and observe more closely. Once steady (and comfortable) easily picked out the golden partial airy disk of the secondary. Here are my notes: "Almost resolvable at 540X. Yellow white primary leads golden secondary trailing and to the south. Hourglass shaped teardrop. Secondary easily held direct.".

Next on the evenings hit parade was Beta Delphinus. Surprisingly, despite hanging in one of the most easily recognized asterism in the sky - Beta was a hard find. Moon completely dominated to the southeast. This third magnitude star needed the finderscope to turn up! The pair is extremely close (.55 arc-seconds) but both stars are fairly bright (magnitudes 3.6 and 4.6). Notes say "easier than Gamma (CRB) colors pale white and gold, secondary to north-northwest and absolutely glued to the primary at 540x.. Its clear that Argo was unable to defy the laws of physics by resolving either of these sub-Dawes limit bright pairs. But it is surprising that the sky and Argo's optics could clearly show "deformations" in the airy disk of the primary caused by significantly dimmer secondaries. This is literally "on the edge" observation...

However there are limits, and this became obvious with the next pair - Tau Cygnus (AGC13). At .78 arc-seconds separation, 150mm Argo would probably just show two sixth magnitude stars of equal magnitude as separate entities. But mitigating against resolution in Tau's case are two facts: One is that the primary is brighter than 6.0 (magnitude 3.9). And as intimated above (in Delta Cygni's case) brighter stars have larger airy disks. The second and even more significant fact, is that, at magnitude 6.7, Tau's companion is 13 times dimmer than the primary. Experience has been that stars 2 times dimmer may be seen near primaries (through 150mm Argo) approaching Dawes limit. But in Tau's case, the brightness-delta far exceeds this.

Needless to say there was nothing about Tau Cygni's airy disk that smacked of anomaly. No dim "bulb" sprouting off one edge. So Argo runs up against a hard limit. Two stars at Dawes limit, one 13 times brighter than the other is just another single star glowing in the night sky...

But this was not the case with STT383. For on revisiting the pair, all ambiguity was removed. The dim secondary's bluish gray "star-point" could be held direct. This north of and slightly trailing the pale blue white primary. Two stars distinguished by 1.2 magnitudes and separated by a span approaching Dawes limit could be cleanly resolved at the highest possible magnification (540X) on a night of superb sky stability. And thus the frontier is rolled back. The Edge is probably very near - beyond which there be dragons...

A Clutch of Doubles

The lunacy is passing - but the Moon still dominates the night sky. In looking over my year-plan, noticed a few remaining double stars. This night was made for doubles - not that I restricted my movement to same exclusively. Took a "sneak preview" of a couple deepsky studies. But mostly took great pleasure in filling a personal gap in circumnavigating the ecliptic. Last year hardly payed any attention to Capricorn and Aquarius...

But first - the Red Planet. Nice edge - even at 540X, NPC limb haze wrapping around to Mars-east. NPC itself almost indistinguishable from the limb haze. A very diminutive SPC. Is it possible that it's "Summer" in the northern hemisphere and all the carbon dioxide is migrating north? Not much maria to speak of, nor any bright laci. This is one uninteresting face of the planet - or could it be the storms they are a raging?

If you view Mars and have an equatorial mount, you might as well swing west and have a look at Antares. (540x still in place.) In my case there remain few future opportunities to do so - so there is a double imperative. The star heads into the trees. And speaking of trees - had a rather interesting experience. For you see as the bright star moved into the foliage a lot of the crazy flashing was suppressed and there stood the blue green secondary - unequivocal and star like. But only for a very few seconds - then it too was gone.

Took a break, had dinner and allowed the sky to darken. To create a sense of continuity, started in Sagittarius. Located the Teaspoon to the northeast. Then began the star hop to locate Globular Cluster M75.

That first 50X view against a mildly indigo sky was not overwhelming. Bright starlike core within one or two arc-minute core region. Then the rapid bleed off to space. Cluster did not appear as blue as most - but the sky sapped it of presence. And anyway this is definitely not one of the brightest examples of its type (magnitude 8.6 / 6 arc-minute apparent size equals an ASB of 12.2). Needless to say, even at 180x, there was little sign of resolution - no roughness or scintillation on eye movement. But I'll be back on a darker night!

From M75 northwest five degrees to a nice triangle of stars that included Pi and Rho Capricorni. Started with Rho. Had no idea what I was after in terms of the double. Saw nothing in the one degree field of the 50X ultrascopic. At 70x notes say "possible 10th magnitude come 5 arc-seconds northwest of primary - visible only on eyemove.". Then at 120x: "possible elongation to south-southwest". Then at 360X: "Occasional glimpse of plus 2 magnitude companion 1 arc-second southwest of primary - both yellow". Notes go on to say that the image of the star tended to be a bit jumpy and the light from the primary extended out to the first diffraction ring region. So local stability was in the 6/10 range...

Latest data on Rho Capricornus (available to me) says the primary is magnitude 5.0, secondary 10.0, apparent separation 0.5 arc-seconds with position angle 158 degrees. 158 degrees corresponds to south-southeast. And all you need to do is look at the .5 arc-second separation and 100 times dimmer disparity to know that all I caught last night was an eyeful of wishful thinking. But there was, in fact, nothing definitive about this observation...

Which was not the case with Pi: "Possible dim pale blue secondary trailing and south of yellow primary separated by roughly 2 arc-seconds." My notes go onto say that the secondary could not be held direct at higher magnifications - but by removing the barlow and inserting the 15mm Ultrascopic (120X), was able to hold the secondary direct. Nothing particularly ambiguous about this observation. In fact when a secondary can be held direct I consider the observation to be definitive.

So here's the latest data on Pi Capricornus: Primary magnitude 5.2, secondary 8.8, separation 3.4, position angle 147 degrees. 147 degrees equates to south and trailing - so my optimism was justified.

In planning my next set of doubles noticed that planetary NGC7009 lay in the neighborhood on my charts. Experience has shown that brighter planetaries are fine studies - even under less than ideal conditions. So dropped by.

At 50X, the planetary was an obvious "globe of pale blue-green light". Very easy and unmistakable. Even got a sense of a vague "mantle" of faint luminosity well away from the globe itself. Not sure if such really was present - but it will make a nice follow-up for later under darker skies...

At 180x the planetary took on a rather peculiar but easily recognizable shape. Imagine (the planet) Uranus, swelled up maybe ten times over with a nearly edge on ring added just for effect. Well, of course I am describing the famous "Saturn Planetary Nebula" in Aquarius. But I really wasn't thinking that I was about to drop in on THE Saturn Nebula when searching for it.

During the original 50x view, noticed a starlike brightening at the center. Later at 180x, no "star" visible - although the planetary remained brighter and whiter at the core. Possibly that same core shifted to the northwest as well. In general, NGC7009 is a fine study for a six inch scope and should be on everyone's "next Messier-100" list.

Speaking of Messier studies, the Saturn Planetary lies northeast of the M73 asterism and M72 globular clusters. Swept the area for awhile. Came up with a very small/dim globular - couldn't possibly have been the 9.4 magnitude, 6 arc-minute sized, 13.0 average surface brightness cluster could it? Of course! And how did Monsiour Charles ever turn this one up with his equipment?

Didn't note any asterism, but with the Moon now well above the horizon decided to move on. Next stop Kappa Aquarii.

From my notes: At 50X, 5 arc seconds distant tenth magnitude pale blue secondary trails yellow 4th magnitude primary and to the south. Primary very intensely yellow. Nice wide disparate pair. Unambiguous.

NOTE: Subsequently had no luck tracking down Kappa as anything other than a single star. Need a revisit to find out exactly what I did or didn't see...

From Kappa three degrees east and slightly south brought me to 12 Aquarii. Numbers on this pair are magnitudes 5.9 and 7.3. Separation 2.5 arc-seconds. Position angle 194 degrees - just west of south. My notes: Possible +1 mag come to southwest at 120X. 180X confirmed blue-green secondary near yellow primary magnitudes 6 and 7. Nice colors! Really lovely double.

And here is where something really strange happened. Just as I was contemplating the beauty of the pair at 180x, something starlike caught my eye in the middle of the field of view. The object was of the ninth or tenth magnitude. It just sat there while 12 and the entire starfield just drifted west. It was as they say in high school "like wierd or something". And completely disoriented me. What was it?

You give it a try. Send me an email and I'll tell you what i think it was and we will see if we agree...

So sure I got a decent look at 12 Aquarii - and not only that, running dblCalc against the numbers helped me determine that seeing had to be at least 6/10 some 45 degrees above the southern horizon. - Just what I estimated it to be based on star images...

So no session is complete without rounding up the usual suspects: Double Double, nice but not perfect - visible (but unstable) first diffraction ring around all four comp0onents at 180x. Delta Cygni: Companion well clear of first ring, but primary flashing to that same ring region. M57 Deepfield: At 180x, 12.8 star melted to mush. Telescopically determined ZULM: Magnitude 4.5 through 7/10 seeing.

Well, it's Tuesday evening. Skies darkening - enough of this reading and writing - let's go chase the stars across the night sky! (Not even going to edit until tomorrow.)

A Farewell to Antares

Fare the well my friend. Much have I learned through thy contemplation. Of the sky... Of bright ones... Of proximate dim ones... Of brilliant flashes of excuberance... And of clouds and foliage. You passed my way for a season and now recede into the hidden places. Via Con Deos.

Though the Rival now bows out of Backyard, Boulder Creek skies, the planet remains. But last night's skies - lacking the calm grace of recent evenings - allowed little to pass between us. Soon Mars will go the way of Antares. No not tonight! Nor even next week. But given a month, possibly two, then will I begin the wait in patience for the arrival of the Great Ones - Jupiter and Saturn. And upon their arrival will I see the beginnings of the new planetary cycle and many fine evenings of questing eye and "on the edge" contemplation...

Meanwhile, and again for not very long, I have Sagittarius and the Great Southern Expanse of the Milky Way. A Path of Light leading from wonder to wonder. North and east from the Archer, to the Eagle, to Swan, Queen and Lesser Hero. From thence meandering south to Charioteer, Hunter and Unicorn. And finally through Stern and Compass of the Great Ship where the Torch of the Way passes to confreres who keep the vigil of the Far Southern Night Sky. Later to pass that "Torch" back again to the Scorpion - whose Leading Light is again the Rival of Mars.

Thus the Great Circle of the Galaxy is completed again at its core within the Archer whose Ultimate Arrow is aimed at the Heart of that Grand Galactic Neighbor of the Heavens known to us as The Great Nebula of Andromeda...

So last night, anticipating all this, revisited many of my new-found friends in Sagittarius. Of course, these particular friends know nothing of me - or even my planet and its central star. But their "Augustness" is known to me. For I, and my confreres in this High Art and Science make a practice of their contemplation - even as we ourselves fail to get notice of those we espy - being so at base in the Great Chain of Existences...

So began as in the past - with post-full Moon approaching ever nearer the Eastern Horizon. And with Spout of Sagittarian Teapot culminating to South. And just above that spout, yah above it's Golden Yellow North-Westernmost Sun - Gamma - did I, through Argo - Ship of Sky and Able Instrument of Expanded Perception - being in refractor "straight through viewing mode" and some 70 times power, rise to greet two dim and distant "Cities of Suns". One by number "NGC6522" northwest of Gamma, and an even fainter such City unknown to me by designation or expectation some half span east. A most captivating pair, each sharing the sky, and one, no doubt far more remote from our own world, offering incomparable views to those who dwell in its region...

Another span or so north and slightly west, and Argo once again showed the small, sparsely populated township of stars known as NGC6520. A township possessing a few Luminaries whose shape resembles that of one of those new-fangled fixed-wing flying machines banking toward my imaginative eye...

From thence north to that "Womb of Future and Present Suns" - referred to by many as "The Lagoon Nebulation", One of whose banks has already gone to seed in the form of a great "Strawberry of Lights". A vision which often stimulates my appetite for such a seasonable delicacy. Whilst Great Bars of Darkness divide the remaining Nebulation in Thrain...

Again north and by finderscope to that Nebulation known as "The Trifid" - who is even now assembling its own entourage of Suns in the form of an irresolvable triplicity. A triplicity that escaped my eye whilst employing Argo's One Hundred and Eightieth Power of Magnification. But who showed much of its vague cloudlikeness - but no ways of such presence as the aformentioned Lagoon. Though it too has its divisions and multiplications...

Continuing just north and east of of the Trifid, easily encountered another Township of Suns known among the Astronomers as "M21". This particular group, though large and composed of many brightish members also lacked condensation. But did display a fine tilted "M"-shape group of members in its midst. Certainly a worthy consortium of stars and asterisms for the evening's ambulation...

From the M21 swept east to the single Sun known as the Fifty-eighth member of the Snake Charmer. Thence a span and a half north and east to the "Two Who are Similar and Different at the Same Time". And who like the "Two Who Are Truly Similar" share a single seventy times field of contemplation. Thus came I upon the City of Suns known as "NGC6440" and the Ghost Planet (and former Sun) "NGC6445". The one brightish to its core (NGC6440) and the other most diffuse. But each of a size and brightness to my eye...

A quick jaunt north and east and there upon the eye fell upon a Township of Suns known as "M23". Most unusual in its configuration, with many arcs and asterisms. This large grouping of many brightish stars appeared a species of winged-fish with thin and adept tail gliding through the ocean depths of the night sky. A most graceful and benign creature...

To east some four spans and my eye fell upon the Window into the Inner Sanctum. Huge Arcs of Suns and Dark Brooding Bars presented themselves. Along with the Duet that leads my eye to the Splash of Scintillation marking the presence of what must be a distant, huge, and compact Township of Numerous Sons many thousands of lux-annums distant. As such did I see the Small Sagittarian Star Cloud with dim and distant cluster "NGC6603".

Again, ventured east - some three spans of degrees - to light upon the delightful "Butterfly Cluster". There to see the small "question-mark" of stars held in its midst. Like it's confrere "M23", a sense of flight and of fancy, numerous Suns in sweeps and arcs capturing eye and imagination.

Dropping almost due south, and still at the seventieth power of magnification, Argo revealed the unsurpassed City of Suns - "M22". On this particular contemplation this vast assemblage of Lights held a hint of "Angelfish" about it. Both southern and eastern faces showed abrupt starless edges against the dark of the night sky.

From the "Great Cluster of Sagittarius" swept two spans west and slightly south to smaller and denser City "M28". At low powers in use - no sense of the numerous stars seen in its neighbor. But still many layers of organization - from bright heart and core region, through diaphanous and dim halos of luminosity...

This would be the last of the Great Cities of this journey. Many spans north to the Gentle Swan floating effortlessly on the Dark Pond of the Night Sky. The faint nebulosity of the Swan's gracefully arched head blending into a small arch of dimmish stars...

And nearby the strangely artefactual Township of Suns "M18". Three lines of stars angling outward to northeast give the impression of a "tripod". And look! The tripod itself supports an instrument - perhaps a large camera. Perhaps a telescope much like Argo, peering off at some distant celestial horizon...

Now east a few spans to faint Township of Stars "NGC6645". Truly this dim assemblage is seen at a great distance - for numerous and compact Lanterns of Suns can be seen just on the limits of eye, instrument and night.

And it is now that I realy begin to note the fore-lightening of the sky announcing the advent of the Earth's own Moon. Even so, I return to the Swan and thence north to visit it's high flying cousin - the Eagle. Dim and washed out - yet still present, the star-void in the Eagle's midst clearly encircled by a crescent of brightish stars borne out of the nebulae's very own substance.

And of such was this night - with its walk amongst star, nebula and cluster. And its farewell to the bright, flashing Rival of Mars.

Heading Down the "Final" Stretch

So nice to be back on the observing plan track. Luna receding further east and going on a diet. And a score of sweet deepsky studies to be tracked down - or revisited from last Fall. Pressure is off, and as you can see from the previous report - even got a chance to play!

Last nights sky was in a bit of a funk. Epsilon-1 Lyrae (the more disparate pair) just resolvable at 180x. 120X only got down to magnitude 12.4 direct (13.4 on full avert). 5.5 magnitude unaided test star just possible on aversion (so 5.0 ZULM). Calculated limiting magnitude (based on the deepfield) is also 5.0 - so nice mapping of theory and practice. MagCalc can now be set aside for awhile - meanwhile, there are problems with the apparent brightness calculator. Code just doesn't nail down what the brightest 1 arc-minute for each type study is yet. But, that'll get some attention soon enough so not to worry. Just a matter of juggling the algorithms and reviewing all the observational data recorded over the last year. Should be fun!

First indication of poor sky stability last night was Mars. The planet had "ghosts" shadowing it. This is usually a sign of 5/10 seeing. You can sort of focus on the limb - but which one?

Made no attempt to catch Antares as it went treeward. Best to just let things go rather than clutch at them. That wasy next season all the pleasure returns in fullness. Next year the joy of meeting an old friend...

At 120x, could just catch Delta Cygni's companion right on the edge of the stars spurious image. This echo'd the 6/10 stability presaged by Epsilon-1 Lyrae.

By 9:00PDST, the sky was quite dark. Could easily hold all four Lyre parallelogram stars (dimmest magnitude 4.4) direct. Decided to revisit an old friend from last Fall - M56. Here's where things get interesting. Early on last year had to really strain to resolve this 7 arc-minute 8.2 magnitude, 12.2 average surface brightness globular. No question about it, it was an "on the edge" sort of thing. Then by December reports show that I was beginning to see at least a dozen distinct in the group. So sometime during that first quarter year of viewing my perception had improved - either through experience or through adjustments to Argo's optics. I assuming that, over that three month period, I'd been out observing some 150 hours or so. So experience certainly was a factor in improving things. It's now almost one year later and that 150 hours has grown to about 600. And now M56 is given almost as good a view as M92 did last year. Some two dozen stars now possible, many outliers even a few in the core region. One very close to the globulars very center - all at 120x.

Based on this observation I'd say that the brightest members of this globular are about magnitude 12.5. This is roughly 4.3 magnitudes or 50 plus times dimmer than the cluster in its entirety. Applying this same logic to M13 (magnitude 5.9), its brightest stars would be about 10.2. A value that may be a wee bit low. (I suspect the brightest are around 11.0.) Regardless, this is still ballpark. Run the same numbers by 5.1 magnitude M22 and you get 9.4 - again a bit on the bright side as I figure closer to 10.0. So let's do something different. Let's assume the brightest stars are the mean average between 4.2 and the aversage surface brightness of the cluster. So, in M56's case that's the average of 12.2 + 12.4 or 12.3. And in M13's case: (11.6 + 10.2) / 2 = 10.9. And finally for M22: (11.7 + 9.4) / 2 = 10.6.

Damn I'm beginning to like those results! But first lets do the 10.4 magnitude, 4 arc-minute, 13.1 ASB Intergalactic Wanderer: (13.1 + 14.6) = 13.8. And now I'm starting to have a hard time accepting the result... (I figure the dimmest must be magnitude 15 at least!) OK, so nice try and back to the heuristical drawing board...

Oh yes, I was talking about M56. Here are the notes from last night: 5 by 4 arc-minute apparent size oriented east-west, No starlike core, but an elongated core region with bright halo leading off into a corona of dim outliers. At 70x scintillates with core and outlying stars. At 120x flattens to north-east. Softeye techniques gives lots of scintillation with a dozen plus stars just about direct. At 180X under not so steady seeing, maybe a dozen fuzzy stars held direct. Generally a nice even luminosity gradient from the core outward. The nights best view at 120X.

None of the above captures the beauty of the starfield in which this cluster abides. Lots of beautiful arcs, lines and asterisms visible in the 70X 45 arc-minute field. Nothing like a dark sky to bring this out. You folks reading these reports that don't have a scope are really missing out!

Moved on to constellation Cygnus to track down another study from last Fall - Open Cluster M29. An easy enough finderscope locate. Just sweep due south from Gamma Cygni a degree or so and you can easily pick out this small unresolved haze of stars in the finder. Switch over to the main tube, and depending on how the cluster is oriented in the field of view, you will make out eight or nine ninth through eleventh magnitude blue-white stars organized into an elaborate throne. (I'm being delicate here, this particular "throne" would normally be found in a privy...) In, around, and through this asterism another dozen twelve plus magnitude stars can be seen. Two of which are visible within the "base square" of the triangle at 120x - joined by a third at 180. There really is no core. The stars formed out of the primal nebula associated with this cluster are probably moving rapidly away from each other...

Since I was in the region, dropped by to make out the Crescent nebula (NGC6888). Only took a few efforst to turn up the keystone asterism of stars that signal its location. Once again had to think long and hard about whether the cnebula itself was visible - or simply star haze. Noticed that the body of the "C" in the crescent swung out to the south. This one remains on the edge. I've only had definitive views of this study under very dark and steady skies. Under such circumstances the star haze factor is simply overwhelmed by the actual luminosity of the nebula and it stands revealed.

Decided to check an observation I'd done previously. The assumption is that the Western Veil (NGC6960) is about as difficult to see as the Crescent Nebula. So dropped by the Veil and attempted to turn it up without an OIII filter - no go. Now this gbegs the question of why I don't just use the OIII filter to definitively make out the Crescent. And the answer is - yes I've tried but even with a filter in place the surface brightness of the Crescent is about equal to the star haze so there really is no difference between using a filter and not.

The seasonally transitional northern constellation Cepheus is now rotating into view to the northeast. It's obvious "house-shaped" appearance makes for easy celestial navigation and is a welcome relief from the tortuous but ultimately satisfying constellation Draco. Cepheus lies just outside the Great River of Stars. And is a wee bit impoverished when it comes to deepsky studies. However, it does include one very huge surprise in the form of a large spiral galaxy. You'd think at magnitude 8.8 that 11x10 arc-minute NGC6946 would be spoken of with the kind of bated breath we amateurs use when refering to M81 and 82 - but it isn't. And there are good reasons. This 13.5 average surface brightness galaxy spreads itself pretty thin. There is no starlike core - only a large (6x4 arc-minute) football shaped brightening oriented southwest to northeast and a possible, very low surface brightness spiral arm continuing to the southwest. Not a six inch study, but a decent catch given the 4.5 ULM Boulder Creek lightdome that had to be contended with.

The "King's Galaxy" (NGC6946) was not the first deepsky study I turned up in Cepheus last eve. I figured 7.8 magnitude 8 arc-minute apparent sized Open Cluster NGC6939 would make a more convenient find - since a wide finderscope double (just south of Eta Cephei) points to its general local. In fact the 12.0 magnitude average surface brightness cluster was a tad easier to make out. And surprisingly - for conditions - Argo was able to show a number of member stars at 120 and 180x. At 120x, the general shape of the cluster that of a tight group of 12th magnitude star-geese in V-formation. And in this case, the geese flew west. Argo also revealed a single 11.5 magnitude star at the apex of the formation. Decided to drop in the 180x eyepiece - and a good thing too! Found a second "V-formation" of even dimmer stars flying northwest. These weren't even suspected at the lower magnification.

After viewing the Kings Galaxy and Cluster, the sky really started to brighten with the incipient gibbous Moon. I had saved what I had thought to be a difficult planetary nebula study for last. In fact, at 6/10 stability, conditions would be barely conducive to turning up 15 arc-second 8.5 magnitude NGC7027. But what the hey, give it a chance! So I did and here's the report posted on AstroTalk:

Sagittarius Exiting Stage Right

Took an early evening look at Mars. Localized Blue Planet atmospherics gave Red Planet a half a chance to strut its stuff. Decent edge sharpness. Red Planet really didn't rise to the opportunity. As mentioned in recent reports, it isn't exactly wearing its most "photogenic" face. But there was a sense of a contrast across the gibbous disk. And because of this, thought a sketch might be in order...

As said, not a whole lot to write home about. Hints of Mare Sirenum southeast. Mare Boreum collaring north polar cap at northwest. Some southwestern limb haze. Both polar caps much diminished. Drawing done without diagonal and at 360x (10mm with 2X barlow configuration.) Used both the medium red and blues filters.

Didn't plan on any other sketches last night. But just after resolving a dimmish 0.8 arc-second double star in Cygnus, Selene made her gibbous self very obvious - well above the eastern horizon. In fact, the apparition surprised me! With the ecliptic hanging so low over the last several months (Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn are all "downers"), didn't expect to see Luna rising to east. But such it is, and makes good sense given that we now approach autumnal equinox.

As mentioned - before noticing Selene, had just resolved a fairly challenging double - BU155. At magnitude 7.4, the primary is twice as bright as its 8.1 magnitude companion. The two are currently separated at Dawes limit (for a 150mm scope, that's .8 arc seconds). Had previously configured Argo with the 3x Ultrascopic barlow. To find the pair had to search at 150x. Fortunately received the needed charts from fellow observer Cor Berrevoets. Most tracking done through the finderscope. Just had to be sure to head off in the "right" direction and pay attention to how various stars patterned themselves in the finder. One complication is the fact that the chart did not include longitudinal and latitudinal lay lines. By referencing other charts, was able to determine that things were, in fact, orthagonal - this helped hugely. So was able to do my usual equatorial mount thing. Start at a known star (in this case Deneb). Sweep along a particular axis (north) while viewing through the finder. Locate the next reference star (51 Cygni). Then hone in on the study in question - 6.7 magnitude pair BU155 - slightly northeast of 61.

That first view at 150x was definitive. There was a definite "elongation" to the BU155 candidate. Personally, I'm a bit non-plussed. Simply didn't think that a Dawes limit star could be so easily recognized as a double at such low magnification! But thinking about this, made sense. Dawes discovered a large number of doubles well beyond the capacity of the 6 inch achromat normally used. So say your tooling along at 200X and notice a "peculiar-looking" star. Rack up the magnification to four or five hundred X. And the peculiarity becomes even more obvious. But you still don't see two separate stars. Certainly the pair appears to "angle" at a certain direction and that it is beyond resolution using current aperture. Zero out your setting circles. Swing over to a known star (as quickly as possible). Retro-calculate the position of the discovery based on the known stars coordinates. Enter data into observing log. Revisit with a larger scope. Get a read on apparent separation and position angle. Add this to catalog. Move on. Easy right? Sure, when the pair are reasonably matched for brightness. But the method falls apart for disparates. Such pairs are not obvious and require a great deal of experience. Believe me!

For instance, the other night, took a look at Kappa Aquarii thinking it was double. Noticed what I thought was a faint companion. From an earlier report: At 50X, 5 arc seconds distant tenth magnitude pale blue secondary trails yellow 4th magnitude primary and to the south. Primary very intensely yellow. Nice wide disparate pair. Unambiguous. Trouble is, Kappa, based on research done so far, is not a double. And last night, on re-visiting the star under better seeing conditions I could not "unambiguously" see a10th magnitude companion. Go figure! Disparates -especially close ones - are tough to find and easy to imagine. So here's a project for someone. Go through all the various double star catelogs and see which observer - Strueve, Dawes, Herschel etc found the greatest proportion of disparate pairs. That would really be interesting. My vote for "King of the Double's Discovers" is the astronomer who found the greatest proportion of such pairs...

Getting back to BU155... So what exactly did I add to my observing notes? "Elongated NE at 150x. Secondary trails. Confirmed teardrop with pinched waist at 360x. Instants of clean resolution at 540x. Primary pale blue, secondary darker blue. Magnitudes 7.0 and 8.5.". This last a bit off - but hey never claimed to be a photometer! I'll tell you though, it was easier to tell that BU155 was a double than Kappa Aquarii was not!

It was at this point that I backed away from scope and shadows enough to see Selene rising to the east. Figured, "Why not?" and started scanning an incredibly huge 540X world. Sure some visible atmospheric rippling - but really quite good for so much power - and so far down in the sky! Quick look at Plato showed three unresolved brightenings. Then onto Posidonius - Nice! Given another day and the crater would be swallowed up by Luna's own shadow. So a superb opportunity. Excellent contrast - and on occasion, incredible clarity - even at 540X.

It was very clear to me that this was the best view of Posidonius seen since first noticing it. Dropped down to 210x (25mm plus 3x barlow) and suddenly everything came into perfect focus. As stated, had no plans for further sketching but just couldn't walk away without somekind of visual record. (Truly a view beyond words.) To give you an idea of how much detail was possible, notice the two sets of small craters separated by rilles at the head and foot Posidonius. The physical size of these craters is probably well below 5 kilometers (3 arc-seconds) and each looked like something more than a simple "brightening" against the crater's floor...

Once the sketch was complete, spent a few more minutes surveying the surface - enjoying the clarity of it all. Then put Argo away for the night...

But, by no means have I accounted for the entire evenings activities. Between that early sketch of Mars and the final one of Posidonius, and even before resolving .8 arc-second BU155, I'd been hanging with a number of deepsky studies from the year-long.

To begin with, that Mars sketch was concluded well before skydark. So took it inside and scanned it for this report. Dinner was announced and hunger drove me to consume mightily. Rinse the dishes. And about 21:00 hours, step out to see that all four stars in the Lyre's parallelogram could be held (with some dark-adaptation - of course). Setup Argo at the south viewing station. Got the notion to make a quick tour of Sagittarius while waiting for things to darken a bit more. Figured I'd start at the base of the Teapot Spout this time and track down "low-hanging globular fruit" - M69, 70, 54. But no go, Epsilon already obscured by trees... I'd had just said "adieu" to Antares and now Sagittarius was moving on. Sure, I still get about a half an hour of darktime with the spout region (and east) but southwestern Sagittarius now joins Antares exiting stage west. Ah well, things may come and go but the night sky abides.

Ok, so let's revisit "the Galaxy of Summer" - NGC6822 - "Barnard's Galaxy". Swing on up to the Sagittarian Teaspoon. Turn up the bright star at the tip of the spoons handle (Rho-1). Swing 2 degrees due north to 5th magnitude star. Sweep three degrees east to the "four thumb's up" asterism that marks the Mr. Barnard's neighborhood. Find the index finger star in the field of view. Follow the line of these two stars the same distance north-northeast. Sweep past the "Sagittarius Asterism" at 70x then bingo: The unmistakable sheen of the galaxy's "core region". (As easy as it seemed this time, decidedly more difficult to make out than "the King's Galaxy" in Cepheus.) With the 45 arc-minute 25mm eyepiece still in place, made a quick check of planetary NGC6818. Sure - even the sense of a "pinprick" in the middle. And yes, could just squeeze both studies in the same field of view - nice call t.

To this point, nothing had been accomplished to advance the nights documented agenda... Several globular clusters - previously surveyed needed to be documented. And the first could be found by continuing the trail east.

Sweept some 5 degrees to the two bright stars marking the northwestern tip of the Capricorn "smile". Center on Beta. Drop due south another four degrees to a fifth magnitude star. Then another three to a sixth magnitude finder star. The cluster lies due west about two and half degrees. But there was no sign of it in the finder. Local sky below 5.0 ULM and at magnitude 8.6 there is little chance that a 35mm finderscope will show M75 under such conditions... So repeated the sweep at 70x through the main tube - not a prime example of a globular. Could make out - at best - half its six arc-minute apparent size. Sense of north-south orientation. The cluster forms a small isoceles triangle with a pair of 11th and 12th magnitude stars in tow. Does show a nice starry core, however. Outside the small core region, halo appeared to flare somewhat south and flatten west. At 180x the globular seemed to "round out" to the northwest and throw a cometlike tail to south-southeast. There is no doubt that somewhere between 8.2 magnitude / 7 arc-minute M56 and 8.6 magnitude 6 arc-minute M75 is a divide for a 150mm scope. However, it is just possible that higher sky position could close the gap...

Was now as far south as I would go for this leg. (Later in the evening turned up M30.) Turning the corner, headed up to make a quick check of local sky conditions by dropping in on Pi Capricornus. Was almost able to hold Pi's 8.8 magnitude companion direct at 180x. So the calculated sky stability was at least 6/10. This some 18 degrees below the celestial equator and 56 degrees from the zenith.

While observing Pi caught that geosynchronous earth orbiter from a previous evening's observation in the field of view. Since no clock drive was in use, the satellite stood still while everything else rotated out of view. Ran inside and made a quick check of the time: 22:00 hours (by the microwave clock). Based on this should be possible to figure out the things position in the sky - can't always use Pi as a reference!

Took a quick look at nearby Rho. Had no illusions about seeing its 10th magnitude .5 arc-second companion. However, like Pi, this fifth magnitude star showed an airy disk surrounded by a flashing spurious image extending out to the first diffraction ring - again 6/10 stability...

From Rho, shot north-northeast a couple finder fields to 4th magnitude Epsilon Aquarii. Thence north to 5th magnitude Kappa (Where I proceeded to scour the region of the star without seeing anything other than imagined companions.)

From Kappa shifted due east to have a look at the lovely, tight 12 Aquarii pair. Beautiful golden sixth magnitude primary and eight magnitude blue-green secondary. Two stars as close together as Epsilon-1 Lyrae - but dimmer and possessing lovelier colors.

12 Aquarii lies maybe a finder field due north of Aquarius' Saturn Nebula - so that was my next stop. Again I was struck with how bright, large, and colorful this planetary is. And again I was a bit disappointed by the lack of "clarity" in its presentation. (Probably shouldn't look at this thing like it really was a planet.)

From planetary NGC7009, turned up globular cluster M72, some two degrees west-southwest. Not an easy find. At magnitude 9.4, way beyond the 35mm under just about any circumstances. Small, dim and difficult - again I repeat - how did he (Charles Messier) every turn this on up? There must be at least a dozen NGC globulars as large and bright as M72. Why didn't he find some of them as well? Anyway, here's the notes: "Located at the tip of a small right triangle of 10th/11th magnitude stars that trail the cluster to the east. Globular barely held direct at 70X. Maybe 2 arc-minutes oriented north-south possible. Eye movement reveals almost star-like core. Brighter edge of the cluster trails. If flare then to southwest. If flattened, to east. Three dim 13th magnitude stars surround it - perhaps 3 arc-minutes from the core.

Really didn't know what to look for in tracking down asterism M73. Shifted the globular to the northern edge of the 70X field then swept due east. Some two fields later, came upon a small (2 arc-minute sized) triangle of three stars (10 - 12th magnitudes). The brightest positioned to the south, next brightest north of that and 12th mag to west between the two brighter members. 120x inspection showed that the 12th magnitude star really was a double - separated by about 10 arc-seconds. At 180x could almost hold both direct. Should be easy enough to determine if I did, in fact, turn up the M73 asterism... If so, in my mind these four stars are probably associated in some way (other than strictly line of sight). There is a certain sense of "community" about them.

Well its now 21:00 hours. Outside, skydark is very close. I'm here typing up my notes like a good doobie. Two more globulars await - and they are in fact superior views to any recorded thus far...

Unlike previous globulars, M30 is most definitely a "finderscope" find. To locate, slewed Argo to the eastern tip of the Capricorn smile. Centered on Gamma, then dropped due south past a few guide stars directly to the globular. At magnitude 7.5, the cluster is quite bright. And at 11 arc-minutes it is well-spread. This combination calculates to an average surface brightness of 12.4. As such it is roughly the same as M56 in Lyra - a cluster that lies close to the 150mm aperture line for resolution. Given its larger size, you have to figure that the M30 cluster would show a larger number of resolvable components. However, its lower sky position (-20 degrees below the celestial equator and well outside the skies middle third) means that both stability and transparency suffer. In fact some resolution was possible (perhaps a dozen members at 180x). Interestingly the bulk of these were seen north of the core. The core itself shows a starlike center, with about a one arc-minute sized core region surrounding it. Very blue. Flattening visible west and flare to southeast. A dim halo possible all the way around the cluster at 70X. This effectively quadruples the visible extent of the cluster to maybe 5 or 6 arc-minutes. The interesting thing about the cluster is it's shape. Looked a bit like the Egytian "Ankh" - but without the cross arms. At 120X, the base of the Ankh resolved into a pair of stars (visible under aversion). At 180x, additional stars were seen in the general locale. M30 is another case for higher sky position - or a darker view to the south.

It's now 21:20. I'm still inside typing up last nights notes for publication - but it's OK by me. This is the "home stretch" after all. Some dozen more studies and the year-circle will complete. And that circle is, to some degree, embodied in my last study of the night - M2.

Last season got only a very late season look at this fine magnitude 6.5 / 13 arc-minute globular cluster. The following is an extract from a report dated Tuesday, December 12, 2000. It gives you an idea of what I was seening at the time:

"With high thin clouds beginning to build in that general direction I was able to see "Her Fuzziness" in the finderscope about 1/5 of the way between Beta Aquari and Epsilon Pegasi. First light: This globular is bright, with a broader core than M15. More nearly circular in shape but still slightly compressed toward the west. Probably 75 -100 stars resolvable at 180X using extreme averted vision. (Should see that many directly under truly "darksky" conditions.) Coarse textured at 50X and slightly larger than M15 (perhaps 1/5th the FOV -- 12 arc-minutes)."

Here are my notes from last evening: Cluster appears about 5 arc-minutes in size oriented northeast to southwest. Very lively at 70X. Flattens to northwest, and flares to southeast. Hundreds of stars on the limit of resolution. Dozens visible under extreme aversion at 180x. Several direct at 120x. A bight (possible field) star 3 arc-minutes east. A darker night and this cluster will undoubtedly explode with hundreds of stars!

It's now 21:30 hours. Full skydark has decended. Just need to make a quick pass at an edit, then upload the resilts to to the server. With any luck I'll have Argo outback and M2 tracked down by 22:00 hours. You never know, tonight could be the night!

Now 21:55 hours. Just finished the edit. Time to upload...

Just Mars - for a Very Good Reason

It was a short observing session. Worth posting on AstroTalk. Thought it made sense to add it here as well...

Moon Eats Saturn!

Woke to the quiet insistence of the alarm clock at 3:45 am. Since I'd set the thing, there were no recriminations on my part...

Crawled out of bed (tempted to dawdle - but no I was doing this for me compadres!). Headed straight out the back door. Looked up to see a middling veil of overcast occasionally broken by night sky

But, Luna could be seen. Clouds moved across her face, quite dramatic - for a Grade B movie!

Returned ito don a full set of clothes. Night air chilly and I 'd be out for at least the next hour. Even wore socks and sneakers!

Had Argo setup in no time. Strategically placed to catch both Selene and Jupiter. Frankly, more excited about seeing His Royal Hugeness than a silly occultation! Made a quick finder check of Saturn's position before dropping in...

Saturn sat well north of the Lunar equator and almost a moon's width from the western edge. - Plenty of time...

Jupiter had yet to enter the skies middle third. Slewed Argo over for a bit of a visit. Had the 25mm Ultrascopic in place with 3x configured barlow. Planet was huge - but ill-focused... Suspected this had more to do with my eyes than the seeing. Accommodation was poor. Made out two equatorial belts and that was it...

Clouds made detail quite indistinct as well. During thinning, focusability improved considerably. Figured to come back after viewing Selene - bright Moon would probably be an improvement under the circumstances...

At 4:10am, not possible to fit both Saturn and Luna in the same 15 arc-minute field of view. Saturn, like Jupiter, was difficult of focus. Began scanning Selenes comely 3rd quarter form. Very rare for me to see the third quarter terminator. My impression was that the second quarter is superior Selene-north and inferior south. Historically paid little attention to Clavius, for instance, during waxation, but this morning found Clavius to be most intriguing. Of especial note is the "cochlea" of interior craters that sweep down from the south and west - each smaller than the previous.

Also took a look at Plato - single brightening could just be held at center. Accommodation was improving. But clouds still piled up across the surface, and contrast went to hell. Moon turned into a huge "goop melange" of garbled structure...

By 4:21 clouds thinned up a little. Could hold both planet and lunar limb in the same field. South Equatorial Belt (SEB) and Cassini's Division, though less than "well etched", could be seen more or less consistently. Stability was probably 6/10. Decent enough - transparency remained quite variable.

Next stop was to guesstimate where on the Moon's limb Saturn would occult. Followed a line of craters - Anaxagoras, Philolaus, Carpenter and Pythagoras. All on the far side of Mare Frigoris from Plato. Westernmost Pythagoras would probably be south of the actual landing spot - but at least I had a reference.

Interestingly when I first noted the relative positions of Saturn and the Moon almost looked like they would miss entirely! It was only after observing for a while that it became clear the major axis of the ring system pretty much pointed to where the planet would "touch the Moon"...

Around 4:30, clouds really began thickening up. From my notes: "Amazingly swift progress of the Moon towards Saturn".

This stimulated me to think about just how fast the Moon moves against the starry highway of the ecliptic. Figuring 360 degrees in 28 days (roughly) means progress of more than 12 degrees per day. At that rate it gobbles up its own apparent diameter per hour!

By 4:36, some clearing. Noticed Titan preceding Saturn west and south. Clearly, Saturn's main satellite would be hidden by Earth's only Satellite first.

At 4:40, Titan lay roughly equidistant between Luna's limb and Saturn. Moonglow off variable clouds obscured it frequently. Never did see it "touch down".

At 4:52, notes say that "the Moon trembled with anticipation" at engulfing Saturn. Made a mental effort to see the planet as far more distant from the Earth and larger than the Moon. This was a fairly easy mental gymnastic and I had no trouble staying in touch with the notion of relativity this implies.

At 4:54 (alarm clock time) Saturn's western Ring A made contact with the Lunar limb. In another minute, the planets western limb makes contact and the ring ansae is gone. Another minute later and Saturn's disk and the eastern ring ansae also disappear. Locale of occultation was adjacent to a small, hugely elliptical, dark basin between craters Harding and Naumann west of Sinus Roris.

Spent the next fifteen minutes getting the occasional impressive view of Jupiter. After all the straining after Martian detail of the last few months, Jupiter seemed a wonderland of visual delights.

5:15am: Put Argo away. Felt no special call to try and catch Saturn's probably far more dramatic re-emergence from the dark side of the Moon...

Astronomy and Current Events

Before I add a few notes from last nights observations, I'd like to share without preamble, the following post from AstroTalk:

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Disparate Double AGC13 Tau Cygnus: 150mm Argo at 360X, lead diffraction ring seemed a softer blue color than the rest of the ring.

Disparate Double BU63 Delphinus: 150mm Argo at 360X, powder blue secondary just inside pearly white primaries first diffraction ring. Secondary to north-northwest.

M11 Wild Duck Cluster Scutum: 150mm Argo at 70x, cluster broken by a dark cross of obscuration. Base of cross trails to east and north of bright apex star at tip of cluster.

M26 Open Cluster Scutum: Located by finderscope due east of Delta Scuti. Under local 6/10 seeing and through 150mm Argo at 50x, a scattering of about a dozen 9th to 12th magnitude stars in a 5 arc-minute region. The cluster lies within a large rectangle of 8th and 9th magnitude field stars. Faint double star leads to the west - but is not part of the cluster. Brighter cluster members form a general "kite-shaped" asterism. These are emmersed in a sprinkling of fainter stars - most seen to the north. 120x adds a dozen additional members from out of the haze of background stars seen shimmering at lower magnifications. 180x brings out two small flanking groups of stars leading to north and south which - along with the kite shape asterism in the core - give the general appearance of a "flying diamond". This last makes the cluster quite memorable...

Globular Cluster NGC6712 Scutum: 2 arc-minute's of diaphanous light with very elongated central brightening. General orientation east-west. Several 8th magnitude stars visible near cluster - one roughly 4 arc-minutes northeast. Cluster appears "rough" to the eye at 70x. 120x shows a shimmering of faint 13.5 plus magnitude stars on eye movement. Flattens to north. Flares to south-southwest. Overall, surprisingly large and despite dimness, shows a sprinkling of stars. Globular is nicely placed within a rich Milky Way field.

M15 Globular Cluster Pegasus: Easy finderscope locate some nine degrees east and slighly north of Epsilon Delphinus. Cluster found within a large flat triangle of three 7th magnitude stars. Has brilliant, blue, and very compact core which rapidly dissolves to space. Surrounding this is a large 8 arc-minute sized diaphanous mantle including two or three dozen resolvable stars. If flattened at all, to west. At 180x, fewer resolved stars noticed east of the cluster. Core remains star-like even at 180x. Best view at 120x.

M2 Globular Cluster Aquarius: Dropped a couple of finder fields due south from M15 to make a quick comparison. Immediately struck by how much larger M2's core region is than M15s. Again that same sense of hundreds of stars lying near the threshold of resolution. Made a quick check at 240X to see if the additional magnification would push this one over the edge. Sky conditions though decent did not quite support the magnification. M2 may very well be the most uniformly dense and brilliant cluster of any readily visible in the night sky.

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Down but Not Out

We dwell in a small and interconnected world. Influences, both supernal and infernal, are always at work shaping and molding the context in which we live. At times such influences can errupt in ways that disrupt the normal rhythms of day to day life. Things, previously very important to us can easily sour as they juxtapose against the exigencies of a larger reality. All things, trivial, pragmatic, or catastrophic, contribute to our inner state, our moodus vivendi.

Like every night, I carried a mood into last nights observing. But this mood was not that of a personal "night out under the stars". It was a mood shaped by the pain, the suffering, the disruption, the uncertainty, of events earlier in the day. But that mood was not mine alone. Nor was it only mine to bear. It was a shared mood. A mood I willingly subborned myself to. Because it is only though such shared experience that we, as a people, as a society, and as a civilization progress toward a future culture where true and lasting love, peace, compassion, and understanding are the stuff of our daily moodus vivendi.

So last night I observed and despite the prevailing mood, I attempted to do so impeccably. For it is in such times that we must invoke the highest and best within us. It is that invocation which ultimately triumphs over the death spiral of anger, hate, fear, recrimination, revenge, and the inevitable escalations thereof. For such feelings make objects of others and inevitably of ourselves.

Consider, if people are people, they can not be made to climb aboard an airplane, kill or injure the flight crew, terrorize passengers, and crash that plane into a building housing many thousands of other people. It's just not possible! Somewhere along the line, those who undertake such an act had to give up their humanity and the humanity of those they so willingly destroyed. Did they willingly setout to renounce their humanity? Of course not! It was done insidiously, one step at a time, and it started when they themselves were first looked upon by others who saw them as objects. So let's get this straight, those folks in the plane, be they crew member, passenger or terrorist were human beings. To see them as human beings is to feel their loss - again as crew, passenger, or terrorist. To see things in any other way is to perpetuate a lie and surrender our own humanity to a cruel and destructive self-perpetuating mood of cruelty and vengence...

So I turned myself to the stars - even as I am immersed in this welter of moods. But I was determined to place the mood of observing the night sky foremost. For you see, we must re-establish the rhythms and rituals of our daily life. We must practice the the will to be at times such as these. And that will to be is reinforced by those self-same rhythms and rituals.

One ritual I take great joy in is divining the condition of the sky. This is not done using sheep entrails. Nor through coin toss or card reading. Neither is the I Ching involved. And no, I don't flip open a page randomly in the Bible or other notable scripture.

I did this by first viewing Epsilon Lyrae. And what a view! Clean, beautiful separation of all components. Perfect little airy disks centered inside tight little single diffraction rings. Dropping down to 70x, could see the tiniest hairline of distinction between the evenly-matched Epsilon-2 components. Epsilon-1, like always - and even on the best nights at such low magnifications - remained a thin elongated teardrop of luminosity.

Thus far, I have divined the sky as stable. But is it also transparent? At 50x, could hold the 12.3 magnitude field star within the "Challice of the Ring". At 70X, the 12.8 magnitude star pointing from the Challice to the Ring could also be held direct. Overhead magnitude 5.0 SAO66943 could be seen direct and unaided - while 5.5 magnitude SAO67164 could not. Assuming 8/10 stability seeing, the sky was transparent to magnitude 5.2. Not the best of nights and not the worst.

I could feel the strength flow into my being. The divinitory ritual had worked its magic. All other moods could be subborned - I was a Watcher of the Night Sky and Practitioner of the High Art and Science of Astronomy. My humanity had prevailed. Life was worthwhile.

Given the sky, was anxious to determine whther or not NGC6888 - the Crescent Nebula - would prove susceptible. Swung Argo over on the two fifth magnitude guide stars northwest of Gamma Cygni. Followed their line southwest three spans and centered the finderscope on that rich condensation of 7th and 8th magnitude stars that marks the Crescent's locale. At 50x, keystone of stars that contains the most visible portion of the nebula was a quick find. However, unlike the last visit to the region, was unable to distinguish the axis of nebulosity with any certainty.

Since I'm looking for a paralleling signature of susceptibility using NGC6960 - the Western Veil Nebula - swung Argo around to 52 Cygni. Attempted to catch site of the thin stream of nebulosity flowing south from 52. Unlike an evening when I could detect the Crescent's orientation, wasn't able to definitively descry the Western Veil. The widish 52 Cygni disparate double itself, could be resolved, however. Slewing slightly north and several degrees east, had no trouble making out the vague shape of the higher surface brightness Eastern Veil. It's very own large "Crescent" glowing thinly in the night sky and spilling well outside the 50x field of view.

Scheduled for the evening were three studies from the yearlong observing plan. First, the faint 10th magnitude 7 arc-minute open cluster NGC6997. A surprisingly susceptible "dim" cluster - given that I had previously succeeded in turning it up through the 80mm Pup. At that time (in August) made a notes on the cluster and kindred attempts to encompass the North American Nebula:

Had no trouble seeing extensive brightening west of Zeta (SIC Xi) Cygni. Despite this, was unable to get a sense of anything "American" - north or otherwise - about NGC7000. However, was just barely able to locate the tenth magnitude 7 arc-minute cluster NGC6997. Nothing of resolution at 27X - just a vague will'o wisp...

Last night, 150mm Argo gave me a bit more so say about both the cluster and the nebulosity...

"Found in a very bright and rich region of the Milky Way between Deneb and Xi Cygni. This 12 by 10 arc-minute region of two dozen 11 to 13 magnitude stars is generally oriented east-west and resembles a "tent". The cluster is placed between a wide pair of 6th magnitude field stars oriented north-south. Two other 6th magnitude stars lie to east. Cluster seems larger than documented 7 arc-minutes. At 120X, central shaft supporting the "tent" is encompassed by a "spiral staircase" of 11 and 12th magnitude stars. Could this be the actual cluster?"

Unlike many dim clusters, NGC6997 showed no sign of scintillation or dim star haze. It is likely that the clusters involvment with the North American Nebula makes it impossible to distinguish between dim cluster members and the nebula itself.

Using the cluster as a base, proceeded to explore the evenings second study - the North American Nebula itself. To accomplish this, neeeded to screw in the OIII (Orion Ultrablock) filter into the 50mm eyepiece. Adding the filter moved the eyepiece backward. Just not enough "in travel" in the MK-67 for such a long focal length eyepiece with filter in place. However focus was good enough to assay the bounds of nebulosity associated with NGC7000...

First off, the open cluster takes up a position on the North American Nebula which associates with "Dixie". To be more accurate - this particular "North America" bears no peninsular "Florida". So the cluster's best match is the Great State of Georgia. Slewing "skywest" of the cluster leads into what would have been the State of Florida - but now probably more accurately corresponds to the Caribbean Sea. Heading "sky-north" from the cluster leads you rather quickly into the Atlantic Ocean. Both the Caribbean and Atlantic are seen as black space populated by numerous stars of various magnitudes. Each star may be thought of as a white-capped wave perpetually frozen onto the ocean's surface.

Due south of the cluster things get a bit more complicated. There is a sawtooth pattern of three brightish stars. The sawtooths point is to the east. The brightest star of the three is one of the two that bound the clusters "Tent". The others are found to the southeast and due south of this star progressively. Between these three the "coast" of the North American continent sweeps east then west again in a 20 arc-minute crescent. Eventual it approaches the southernmost star of the wide sawtoothed triplicity. From here there is a gap corresponding to the Gulf of Mexico. If you swing the cluster due east maybe a half degree, then drop due south you will encounter "Peninsular Mexico". If you continue east without dropping south, you will cross the major 2 degree axis of the "continent".

After coming to grips with the shape of things, I was eventually able to completely circum-navigate the North American "Continent". Henry Hudson would be proud of me! (Henry never did manage this...)

You can imagine that it took considerable time and concentration to work all this out. No question that the whole schema could use refinement. But the key is obvious enough - find that cluster!

As mentioned, there was a third study on my list for the night: Tight (1.1 arc second), disparate (6.0 / 8.2 magnitudes) STT457 in Cepheus. Thought I'd see if I could resolve this pair using the 240X 10mm / Shorty-thread in barlow combination. Navigated to what I thought was the star. Caught no sign of the secondary and decided to try a neighboring star. Swung one degree northwest and instantly picked out a tight (1 arc-second) matched (6.5 / 7) pair with secondary trailing to the south. Both stars appeared yellow individually - but strangely in their combination - had a "bluish" tint.

NOTE: Thanks to my good friend and fellow observer Cor Berrevoets, now know that this "discoverery" was double star STF2843. Primary magnitude: 7.04. Secondary: 7.35. 1997 separation: 1.4" at position angle 148°.

Figured this found double was my third study and packed Argo away. Was only after searching through my notes that I learned that the original star turned up was probably STT457. Now the task remains to identify the double actually observed. And of course, to get back out there and scrutinize for its faint companion at the highest possible magnifications...

Onward and Upward!

One nice thing about keeping good records - and posting them accessibly - is that you have access to documented facts. One fact available to me is that my first published report dates to a Saturday, September 23, 2000 SCAC Star Party. As it turned out, Argo was the only scope attending the party - although a number of folks did turn up with binoculars. The sky was very large back then and I was only familiar with a handful of studies. Most of these - such as the Ring Nebula and the Great Hercules Cluster - were childhood familiars. Some, such as "The Great Cluster of Sagittarius" (M22) - had become instant favorites after viewing them for the first time just after acquiring Argo.

The sky is no less large now - but it is no longer overwhelming. Navigational uncertainties have given way to a quiet confidence borne of experience and cultivated methods for finding my way around. In addition, also now possess a much better sense of what is and is not possible with a high quality six inch scope. Finally, I've have also become somewhat familiar with limitations placed on optics by sky conditions.

Currently, there are less than a dozen studies remaining to locate and describe before the year-plan is complete. To be honest though, that plan really didn't shape up until late last year, but the goal of circumnavigating the sky of all four seasons has largely been met. Other responsibilities now call and the high priority placed on completing four-seasons tour must soon come to an end.

Last night three studies were pursued. One (Open Cluster M39) was a revisit from last year. Another (Open Cluster NGC7209), a "fresh find". The third (Bright Nebula IC5416) one of the occasional "add ons" to the year plan that happens when I notice something intriguing on a chart.

But let's begin at the beginning...

Check of the Double-Double at 70x didn't give quite as nice a resolve of Epsilon-2 as the previous evening. So turned Argo on Delta Cygni for confirmation. At 120x, Delta's dimmish companion visible, but light spill from the primary engulfed the first diffraction ring. So sky stability pretty much in the 7/10 range. Not the best of nights for "edgey" splits, but with patience glimpses of tough companions are possible during occasional moments of improved atmospherics.

So turned Argo on a decently well-placed Cepheus to the north-northeast. Locating Xi, had no trouble spotting 6th magnitude STT457 one degree (or so) northwest. That first 360x view gave me an instant hit of something "doubular" about the star. There was a dim but persistent starlike point of light lying precisely on top of the primaries diffraction ring to the southwest. Now the diffraction ring itself was not stable. Sort of "hoola-hooped" in brightness around the bluish-white primary. But the spot was pretty much there for the duration. As it turns out this 6.0 / 8.2 magnitude pair, separated by some 1.1 arc-seconds, does in fact have a position angle corresponding to southwest (245 degrees). So, good enough for me! Call this an "on the edge" provisional split. Because it is "provisional", I'll need to revisit the pair over time and bring greater experience, and finer skies to bear before moving it into the "definitive" category.

STT457's proximity to the serendipitously found STF2843 encouraged me to drop in on this neighboring tight matched pair as well. So continuing northwest another 30 arc-minutes and peering through the main tube at 360X revealed that the previous evenings discovery was no hullucination. This 1.4 arc-second double proved quite resolvable at both 360 and 210X. One way to think of this pair is as a fainter version of Pi Aquila. As such it would be a very interesting challenge for the 80mm Pup.

A third double was also planned for the evening. At magnitudes 6.8/10.0 and .8 arc-seconds separation, KU110 displayed a very faint brightening to the north-northwest and a possible teardrop elongation west-southwest. Frankly, held little hope of resolving this hugely disparate pair, but dutifully recorded what I saw. As it turns out, position angle for this double (something I avoid memorizing or making reference to before observing) is 225 degrees. Thus the slight elongation seen to the west-southwest is suggestive of resolution. However, sky conditions did not support 540X last night, so there was really no way to get really "up close and personal" with this very close couple...

By this time - (9:30PDST) the sky had darkened up nicely. So Onward to Deepsky!

Open Cluster M39 was an easy finderscope catch some three degrees north of Rho Cygni. The cluster appears quite "triangular". Its base lies to the south and runs east-west some 30 arc-minutes. A widish disparate pair extends further south from the base. This combination of triangle and double gives a nice "Christmas Tree" sense about the cluster. In this case though, very few "bulbs" are found on the tree - and even these few are sporadically placed. A few other widish doubles can be seen within this "broad-based tannenbaum" of a cluster. Overall, less than 2 dozen members visible ranging from magnitude 6 to 12. Interestingly, the region outside the cluster possessed far more very dim (12 plus) magnitude stars than the cluster itself.

Dropping back down to Rho lined me up roughly along the right ascension axis with my next study. From here slewed due east to a faint (6.7 magnitude) open cluster NGC7209 in Argo's 7X35mm findercope. Like M39, chose to view this large cluster at 50X through the 35mm Ultrascopic. Immediately noticed a peculiar diamond-shape about the clusters shape. The bulk of the brighter cluster members (magnitude 9 plus) took residence in the eastern triangle of the diamond. A few dimmer stars (magnitude 10 plus) outlined the western triangle abutting the eastern triangle (to form the diamond). Curiously, there were very few stars visible within the western section. All in all some four dozen stars could be made out - magnitudes 8.5 to 12. Examination of the more barren western region (at 120x) showed half a dozen 12.5 magnitude stars shyly winking at me out of the void. A single sixth magnitude (field?) star seen due north.

Used NGC7209 as a guide to my next study - "Bright" Nebula IC5146. At magnitude 7.0 and some 12 arc-minutes in diameter the "Cacoon Nebula" bears an average surface brightness of magnitude 12 and should be an easy find at 50X in a 150mm scope. Figured that by sweeping one field north and three fields west it'd be a cinch to turn up. Figured wrong. So after discovering many numerous, "bright", Milky Way star field regions as possible nebula candidates, took an alternative navigation approach. The goal was to settle right on the precise field containing the nebula. Did this by following the line of a pair of 4th magnitude stars located north of the nebula. This was accurate enough to place the nebula within the one degree field of view. At 50x was able to locate a "pinched waist-H" asterism of 8th magnitude stars oriented north-south. It was there that I came across "faint nebulosity" of the mostly "imaginosity/star haze" variety. Clearly some research is required to verify the region. And a revisit is necessary. Even the OII filter failed to make IC5146 plain to me...

NOTE: Referencing a Digital Sky Survey image of IC 5146 was able to determine that the above asterism is in fact involved with the Caccoon Nebula.. Was also able to determine that the magnitude and size values quoted (7.0/12) are those assigned to the star cluster and the nebulosity combined. So obviously the 12.0 ASB value mentioned above for the nebulosity is incorrect.

It was now about 10:15. The night was as dark as it would get. Made a quick M57 deepfield magnitude check. At 70X could hold the 12.8 - but not the 13.0 magnitude assays. Under 7/10 stability seeing this meant that stars to magnitude 5.5 should be seen. Verified this was true by checking to see if 5.5 magnitude SAO67164 could be held direct.

With Cygnus high overhead, dropped in on the Crsecent Nebula. Was able to determine that the "cup" of the brighter section of the nebula faced south. Since I was just barely getting a confiming view of the Crescent, had to visit with the Eastern and Western Veils. The easier Eastern Veil was quite filamented and showed a decent amount of structure - this without the use of a filter at 50X. The Western Veil, always difficult in a six inch sans filter, showed some nebular haze both south and north of 52 Cygni.

So it would appear that Crescent Nebulosity just begins to cross the star haze/imaginosity line when a scope can reveal something of both the northern and southern extensions of the Western Veil (NGC6960) without use of a filter in the eyepiece.

No, not the most significant correlation found in the annals of observational astronomy, but it has been fun nailing down the idea - regardless of its practical utility in day to day life. But such small steppingstones do give us a bit of a purchase for our feet as we continue the climb...

Onward and Upward!

I knew the night held promise when first setting focus on Mars limb. But at 210X, with the planet just going sub-12 arc-seconds, image scale was quite poor. Noticed a thick darkening at the center of the Red Planet's gibbous disk. Had seen it before - knew it for the contrast illusion it was. For you see, given the date and time there really was nothing dark hanging on the planets central meridian. Now to earthwest is another story. Mare Erythraeum to south and Niliacus Lacus to north should be rotating towards the planet's brightly lit limb.

And that is precisely what is hinted at on the sketch at left. A "Mars at 360X with medium orange filter" sketch. A "Mars with Argo in the straight through refractor mode view" sketch. A "Mars not showing a whole heck of a lot of contrast" sketch.

Until later when I reconfigured Argo with 3x barlow and mirror diagonal. This enabled me to view the planet at 540X - and I was quite pleased to see hints of "the old Mars". The "approaching opposition" Mars. The "atmospherically transparent" Mars. The "never quite, but almost knocked your socks off" Mars.

But that Mars didn't get in the sketch...

Because by 20:00 hours, the sketch was done, and I had re-configured Argo for double stars. But before doubles, just had to take another look before porting Argo over to the north viewing station. And realized that Mars looked so much nicer all blown up with someplace to go...

Of course, the God of War's influence on our Blue Planet is only now beginning to culminate. Folks are very unhappy with the destruction visited upon the East Coast of the United States earlier this week. And that unhappiness is understandable. But it doesn't need to become irrational. Somewhere out on the Blue Planet is a group or organization responsible for masterminding, funding, logistifying, and implementing the plan leading to current circumstances. No sane person has any problem with this particular group "reaping what they have sown". The Universe moves in circles. Everything turns back on itself. There is no escaping the inexorable law of cause and effect. But! New causes and new effects are always set in motion when the law of action-reaction does not close the circle properly. Any irrational effort to "retaliate" can only sow more seeds of imbalance and destructiveness. Thus, those who are responsible for closing the circle must carefully collimate their efforts and ensure that true justice is served.

So as I look upon Mars at 210X I see a dark bar running down the middle of the planet. And in so seeing say "aha, the storms have abated and maria obscura is no more". But this is but an assumption. An assumption based on personal hopes, expectations, bias. Looking at the planet in more detail at a higher magnification reveals that there really is no basis for my euphoria. The little visible detail on the planet is well off the central meridian and certainly far less obvious than hoped for. My joy is deflated, I dutifully execute my sketch. Then under even greater scrutiny, and at a higher magnification, I begin to see that, in fact, there is some detail of interest possible. Thus I check against check. Wobbling from one "extreme" to another until I see the planet as it us within limitations imposed on me by circumstances. Hurry, reactionary mood swings, and improper selection of tools or conditions is no friend to seeing things as they are. And until we see things aright, there can be no just reaction to what we see.

I am now involved in an observing project to "find the edge". The edge is that place where human perception is pushed to its limits. Where equipment is expected to perform to its greatest potential. Where conditions must be at their best. The edge is the last frontier before we move into the unknown. The edge is where we push the envelope. The edge is where Chuck Yeager took that F104 Starfighter - 80,000 feet. It is also where that Starfighter runs out of air. Where the engine stalls. Where all flight surfaces become useless. Where that plane plummits back to Earth under the inexorable influence of matter working at a distance. The edge is where you make mistakes because things are not safe and they are not well understood.

Last nights sky supported pushing the edge. Delta Cygni showed a distinct diffraction ring. The Double Double floated across the field of view like two pairs of jewels being drawn on velvet cloth across a smooth hardwood table. Conditions were very good - not perfect - but very good. At 210X could hold the 13.4 magnitude star in the M57 deepfield. But not because the sky was transparent. No, the dimmest star that could be held was 5.0 SAO66943 in Lyra. But because the air was so still.

In viewing Lyra, noticed the Keystone. Simply must view the Great Hercules Cluster. Stars! Yes, hundreds! But dim. Sure, many could be held direct. But so well resolved. All the way across the core - no, not the core itself, but brighter stars overlapping. Easy enough to turn up M92 too. Smaller core. Certainly dimmer. But dozens of stars - well away from the core. One or two superimposed over the core also. Each cluster a satin bags fill of gems spilled out on a velvet table. Exquisite yes! But not the edge...

The edge is closer to STT457. Two stars, one magnitude 6.0 - the other magnitude 8.2, separated by a mere 1.1 arc-seconds. Is the second star - some 8 times dimmer than its companion - really visible? On such a night? With these eyes? Using these tools?

Sure the world doesn't depend on this. And no, there will be no crater left behind after making the attempt. But still, this is an attempt to find the edge. And any edge - is still an edge. And in seeking it out the unknown is pushed back a little. And a little more light enters the human mind and heart.

We need all the light we can get right now...

So again. as on previous attempts to find the edge referencing this pair, I see a dim starlike brightening. A dim brightening hovering on the brink of perception right on the primary's one and only diffraction ring to the west-southwest.

If STT457 is near the edge, then my next study may be well past it. Like STT457, KU110 is also found in Cepheus. KU's primary is magnitude 6.8, and secondary 10.0. Both stars are currently separated by .8 arc-seconds. Like STT457, made an effort to resolve this pair last evening. Notes from last night say "most persistent brightening just south of west and is distinct from the primary's very small yellow airy disk". This observation compares favorably to the previous evenings in terms of position angle. I'll be back!

Have learned what is likely to be on the other side of the edge - Tau Cygni. Effort's to resolve this close (.78 arc-second) 3.9/6.7 magnitude disparate pair have proven futile. Last night, spent a good deal of time examining the primary's airy disk at 540X. Looked perfectly round to me. Slight possibility of a color difference (white on yellow) across that disk - but nothing that would ever alert me to the fact that Tau Cygni (AGC13) is doubular...

Like Tau, Mu Cygni is also on my year-long observing list. Unlike Tau, 1.2 arc-second, 4.7/6.1 magnitude Mu is completely soluable. And what a beauty! Warm yellow 4.7 magnitude primary, pumpkin orange 6.1 magnitude secondary west-northwest. The field is shared with a second bright star and a number of very dim stars within a few arc-minutes of the pair. At 210X, thought I saw a hard to pin down 8th magnitude grey star some one arc-second west of the secondary. At 360X thought I could just hold this "star" direct. Additional contemplation showed that the "tertiary" lay right on the diffraction ring of the secondary. Unfortunately no data available to suggest a third star so close to the secondary (although Mu is, in fact, a multiple star system).

There were three studies from the year-long slated for last evening. One, Bright Nebula NGC7023, brought me back to The King's House - Cepheus. Unfortunately, at magnitude 7.0 and 18 arc-minutes, this 12.9 average surface brightness nebula is neither bright - nor well-positioned in terms of nearby stars. In addition the sky overhead was quite "gauzy" and that in the Boulder Creek lightdome was even worse. Despite several strategies of navigation was completely unable to locate anything that resembled a bright nebula whatsoever.

Happily, the sky was better east than north. The leading edge of the Great Square of Pegasus had entered the skies middle third. This part of the sky presented two NGC galaxies for observation. One - NGC7331 - gave a fine view. Sweet edge on, some 2 by 6 arc-minutes in extent oriented north-south. Trio of stars trailing some 8 arc-minutes to the east looked like a "banking gull". Galaxy showed a star-like core and elongated - 3 minute wide - core region. Any kind of eye movement instantly revealed elongations north and south of the core. Suspect that the galaxy would give a fine view through Argo - on a one magnitude darker night.

Galaxy NGC7217 was also an easy find - but unspectacular. NGC7331 bears an integrated magnitude of 9.4 and extends over 10x4 arc-minutes. 7217 is smaller (4x3) and dimmer (10.2). Average surface brightness for each galaxy, 13.1 and 12.6 (respectively). Despite the dimmer ASB, NGC7331 was the more impressive - due no doubt to its edge on presentation. NGC7217 was a bit of an enigma to me. Could not figure out its orientation. Just enough elongation to the core to be either a face on spiral or an elliptical. No help from the sky around it to clue me in. Overall maybe 2 arc-minutes or so of the galaxy visible. It did, however, lie in an intriguing asterism of stars. The group looked like a wide-mouthed bowl. The galaxy near the southern lip - almost spilling out of the group of stars.

Well folks, it's now 8:15 PDST. Need to get out and wrap things up. Some half-dozen studies remain on the year-long. Doubt I'll finish up tonight - but do want to reduce the workload. You see, over the last year I've been spending as much time writing things up as actually observing. Definitely not the kind of schedule that can be sustained. Nor did I ever expect to. The circle is nearly complete. A person really needs to be careful about the commitments they take on - especially in these troublous times...

"Bright" Nebula, Sometimes Not So Bright...

Got a late start. Write up of previous report plus chores meant I wasn't able to get out until after skydark. Mars already too low to attend to. Had the foresight to setup Argo in advance (at the north viewing station). Made a quick check of the Usual Suspects. Double-Double at 70x gave interesting results. Thought to have resolved Epsilon-1 as a thinline for the very first time. But "edgey" checks like this can be deceiving. In reality, sky was quite poor. Out focus images of Vega showed some churning - but no tube current. Delta Cygni only resolvable at 180x. Just too much flare from the primary. Definitely not a night for doubles. Probably just as well that I'd missed the Red Planet.

Noticed Arcturus sinking low to the west. Mentally thanked the star for helping me understand that all airy disks are not alike. Many an early summer night spent contemplating this fine bright yellow sun. Dubhe contributed too, along with Zeta Bootis, and Eta Corona Borealis.

The passing of Arturus made me alive to the beauty and splendour of Vega above my head. Simply said, Vega is perhaps the most beautiful bright star in the sky. What a gem. Gorgeous! Could only be improved, if like Albireo, it had a brightish companion - preferably one on the edge - like Mu Cygni and its 1.2 arc-second confrere. Unlike Arcturus, have yet to see a distinct "airy disk" embedded in the midst of Vega's flashing exuberance. Somewhat of an imponderable given the fact that the two are of a brightness. (Arcturus is slightly brighter.) It's possible that the atmosphere's basic tendency to scatter blue light contributes to this discrepancy. But that's only speculation on my part...

While contemplating Vega, noticed I could barely hold 5.0 magnitude SAO66943 (some 2 degrees northeast). Deepfield check at 180x showed the 12.8 test star on the limit of direct acquisition. Other stars (down to magnitude 14.1) could easily be detected on eyemove. Using a six inch scope (such as Argo) and with normal, but semi-experienced eyes (such as mine), should be able to hold stars down to magnitude 13.5 at 180x. (This under excellent sky stability and 5.0 ULM conditions.) But the air above was "tremulous". And a shaky sky effectively "smears" light to the point where the very dimmest stars drop below the threshold of perception.

Another problem with 5.0 skies (such as last night's) is the low transmissivity of the atmosphere. Add to this the tendency of stray light back into field of view and the ability to detect low surface brightness studies is undermined. The effect of low transmissivity skies become exacerbated at large exit pupils. Basically, low powers cover more of the sky and accumulate atmospherically reflected light within the field of view. The result is an unseemly "gauzy" sky background and an inability to detect on-the-edge "bright" nebulae.

There are two such studies remaining on the yearlong plan. Already made a run on one (NGC7023) the previous evening. An attempt to turn up the other (NGC7380) was planned as well. The advantage of this latter study lay in the fact that NGC7380 is also an open cluster. So, find the cluster and you find the nebulosity - whether said nebulosity would prove visible is another question...

Both nebulae are located in Cepheus. And Cepheus is where I turned Argo first (after having assayed sky conditions). Hhad done a bit of research concerning NGC7023 on the web. Printed out a SIMBAD chart to use in locating any kind of asterism that could confirm the nebula. Unfortunately, there is one flaw with SIMBAD charts - there is little sense of relative star brightness. All stars, magnitude 7 to 10, are represented using the same icon on the chart. Experience has shown that it is precisely this range of stellar magnitudes that associate with one degree fields of view. As such 7 - 10 magnitude stars can be most readily used to identify star groups and asterisms. As it turned out, the chart proved futile for my purposes - except in one area. Happened to notice the nebula's RA was half a 50X field west of where I'd searched the previous evening. It'd be nice to say that this tidbit of information proved useful - but it didn't. At 12.9 average surface brightness NGC7023 was simply beyond eye, scope and conditions - even when employing the Ultrablock filter.

After about a half an hour of futile sweeps at 50X, turned Argo south and east to Delta Cephei. There I turned up a nice wide, and bright double star. Moreover, Delta would make as a fine "touchstar" in locating Open Cluster/Bright Nebula NGC7380. So from Delta swept due east three fields and turned up a large diamond shape "open cluster" of about 4 dozen members. Stars ranged from magnitude 9 to 12. Now note the quote around "open cluster". The eastern region of Cepheus lies within the Milky Way. It is extremely rich in individual stars, wide doubles, multiples, asterisms, and groups of all kinds. But this particular diamond shape group possessed a sense of "identity" about it. So, after sweeping about a bit, concluded that if I were to write anything up as suspected cluster NGC7380, this would be it. (Of course, the field was simply too "gauzy" to see any nebulosity.)

The suspected cluster was quite bifurcated. The two apices of the diamond (north and south) are far more concentrated with stars than the body between. In fact, between the northern "^" of stars and the southern "v" is a large void. Why, if the two "V's" weren't so similar each could easily be assigned its own "NGC" designation and given the same basic description: "V-shaped group comprised of two dozen brightly scattered 9 to 12th magnitude stars some 15 arc-minutes in diameter." The main difference, of course, is that the northern group points north and the southern south.

In contemplating the northern group noticed a wide brightish pair separated by about 30 arc-seconds leading the group across the sky. Further west a single 6th magnitude star could be seen. Cluster, double, and single star could all be seen in the same 50X, one degree field of view.

Neither the northern or the southern V showed anything more than "imaginosity". This even while reviewing each group with Ultrablock filter in 70X eyepiece.

Just before writing up this report, spent some time reviewing astrophotos on the web. These showed that the northern cluster is the focus of the nebulosity. In doing this research noted that all observers failed to mention the southern V as part of the cluster. Suspicions remain that it is, but the northern section gets all the attention due to the presence of "bright" nebulosity.

As you might imagine, didn't feel I'd accomplished much along the lines of advancing the yearlong plan last evening. Also felt a little frustrated as a "stargazer". Frankly, in searching for NGC7380, hoped to at least come up with one of those tight little NGC clusters with a dozen or so 10 - 12 magnitude stars steeped in the scintillation of numerous dimmer components. But this wasn't the case - and for a very good reason. Such clusters are often the end-product of the stellar birthing process. Where there remains much in the way of nebulosity, it is likely the cluster will be of the "brightly scattered" type. There's a reason why so few stars are seen in The Great Nebula of Orion, or Trifid Nebula of Sagittarius. But eventually the nebulosity will be consumed and if there be enough, thousands of stars will take its place...

So before packing Argo away, just had to indulge the stargazer in me. The Great Square approached the skies middle third. East of Cepheus, Cassipeia caught my eye (as it so frequently does). The western Cassiopean "V" pointed directly south to Andromeda. A vague patch could be seen well northwest of Beta Andromedae. Turned Argo in the general direction of the patch and easily caught the Great "Nebula" in the finderscope. Centered on the core of the galaxy at 50X. Despite the gauzy sky, got a nice look at the first dark lane on the "far-side" of the core. Suspected too was the even vaguer lane beyond that. Swept about a little and picked up "globular-esque" M32 on the "near side". Again sweeping past the two lanes caught large, faint M110 as well. Definite brightening at the core and sense of ellipticity.

Not sure what the night sky holds for me in the future. But somewhere deep down inside there is a "stargazer" waiting for a chance to get out. To be sure probably won't include on the edge "bright" nebulae in future observing plans. This is one area where you can use all the light you can get - and preferably not the "reflected light" of nearby streets, buildings, and homes...

Round and Round and Round...

Constellations
They go round and round
The Ecliptic
It goes up and down
All captive on the Carousel of Sky
For where 'er they start
They can't remain
But all along the Way
They go round and round and round in their Celestial Game

Arrived just before sunset. As the Sun slipped below the western horizon, swept the still glowing sky for The Winged Messenger. Mercury, who waits for no one, seems to have accompanied the never-far Sun in its set. But I too was soon accompanied. Dean travelled the hour south from Half Moon Bay with his 200mm SCT. Jack pulled up bearing his 10 inch Orion Dobsonian. Later, Ralf with 250mm SCT, Dan and overachieving 102mm Takahashi apochromat, and Leon with the F4.5 Couter 10 inch dob.

As everyone setup, sketched Mars. Despite decent 360X edge focus - really not much to see. Much later that same night saturn, and later Jupiter, would be caught in Argo at half that magnification. Despite comparable sky position (less than 30 degrees above the horizon), the two gas giants gave incredibly well hwen and steady images of unsurpassed detail. Alas, Mars has never compared. Neither at comparable sky position, no, not even at opposition. Mars remains an unfulfilled promise. A study just on the other side of the edge. Those who wish to cross that divide must make sacrifices. Trade hard-earned cash for expensive imagers, large and expensive scopes, and possible relocate to more southern climes...

Dan, Dean and I checked sky conditions. Overhead the 5.5 test star in Lyra could nbe held unaided. The M57 deepfield egion in Dan's Tak showed the magnitude 12.8 star direct at 110X. Argo had no trouble with the 13.0 magnitude star at same magnification. Dean's 200mm showed 14.1 star with slight aversion at a slightly higher magnification (160x). For the 4 inch APO, the sky calculates out to 8/10 stability and 5.5 ZULM. For 150mm MCT Argo, 5.5 ZULM at 7/10 stability. For the 200mm SCT, 5.5 ZULM and 7/10. Later the sky got several tenths of a magnitude darker. And it became quite easy to hold the 5.5 test star -even as the Lyre slipped out of the skies middle third.

Dan and I went after a few doubles. Both scopes resolved Mu Cygni cleanly at 360X. The 4 inch was clearly able to show a low sky positioned Zeta Bootis distinctly elongated. Meanwhile, Argo revealed an hourglass. Both scopes cranked up to 360x. Beta Delphinus was a single airy disk in the 4 inch. Argo partially resolved the pair as a teardrop.

Dan resumed his first Messier tour with the four inch. Resolved Globular Cluster M55 in Sagittarius and had a nice contrasty view of planetary M76 in Perseus. There was a bit of a struggle turning up Galaxy M74 in Pisces - but we found that it could be held direct in the 102mm. Checked M74 a bit later in Argo at 50X. Sky appeared gauzy but there was no trouble finding and holding the galaxy in the field. The smaller apertured refractor - along with its fine baffling system - definitely gave better views of the background sky under marginal conditions. Those who are interested in observing through marginal skies (sub-5.0 ULM) should really consider getting the highest quality 4 inch refractor they can afford.

Dean and his 200mm SCT went after Galaxy NGC7331 in Pegasus. The edge-on's extensions were quite evident in the 200mm. Dean, along with Jack and Leon attempted nearby Stephan's Quintet. Using "averted imagination" and Dean's 200mm, could see some faint smudges in a 50X low power field of view. Neither Jack nor Leon gave out the hoped for "whoopies" of success.

Leon's fine 10 inch Dob privided the usual stunning view of the Western Veil (through the 22mm Panoptic with UHC filter). All agreed that this portion of the Veil looks like the legendary "Klingon batlief". (That great instrument of war wielded by the Klingon spiritual leader who brought justice to a planet in turmoil.)

As the others turned up one fine view after another, I wrapped up the yearlong observing plan. Spent a good hour making a final run on the two Bright Nebulae in Cepheus. Reesarch on the web uncovered that the more difficult study (NGC7023) is actually a reflection (rather than emission) nebula. An en passant seventh magnitude star provides the illumination. Checked every star of the suspected magnitude in the locale. Star haze found round every candidate. One showed more than others - but nothing definitive. This one goes down as "objecta non-cognita".

More success with NGC7380. Dan and I noticed that the northern "V" of the cluster showed subtle nebulosity to the southwest. Nebulosity was visible through the ultrablock filter as a broad, faint, ray emanating east-northeast from one of the clusters brightest stars. (That star lies east of the double mentioned in an earlier report.)

Next study on the yearlong, also a wash out. Just ain't possible to find an 11.5 magnitude, 6 arc-minute sized, 15.1 average surface brightness (ASB) globular cluster using a 150mm scope this side of the Earth's atmosphere. So, like Bright Nebula NGC7023, Globular Cluster NGC7492 also goes objecta non-cognita. But that doen't mean I won't revisit in the future on the off-chance that I'm wrong...

Like NGC7492, planetary nebula NGC7293 also positions in Aquarius. This large vaguely donut-shaped planetary is easily found some degree and a half west of fifth magnitude Nu Aquari. It's finding Nu that's the problem!

The "Helix" planetary is astounding for it's size and amount of structure visible in small scopes. At magnitude 6.5 and 12X15 arc-minutes in apparent size, low power a must. With an ASB of 11.7, any 100mm or larger scope (under decent conditions) should provide a fine view. The planetary sits within a large, distended triangle of 9th magnitude stars. A dim, widish double can be seen near the southwest frontier. The northeast quadrant (opposite the double), shows the highest concentration of surface brightness. Low sky position does diminsh the amount of directly visible detail. Happily, any kind of aversion reveals finer structure. A sprinkling of a half-dozen 12 plus magnitude stars lie within the nebula's bounds. None held the exact center to my eye... The major axis of the Helix Nebula orients north-south and extends 15 arc minutes or so. The trimmer axis is probably four/fifts that or so. Much (dimmer) nebulosity is perceptible in the center of the Helix. Generally, a fine study for a six inch scope - with or without filter.

As it happened, a visitor turned up while contemplating the Helix. Fine fellow. Showed a lot of respect toward the observers and the equipment. Unfortunately, as bright as the Helix was to my eye, he had a bit of trouble picking it up in the eyepiece. Fortunately, Dean was looking at an open cluster, so the opportunity to view through the 8 inch was extended. Other amateurs took turns showing the visitor around. M13 was still up so a view was provided as well. Our new friend departed, very pleased to have responded to the call of the night sky...

I had one more study. Frankly I'd been saving it for last. Although I have not thoroughly combed my records, I believe it to be the last of my 109 Messier studies. Also be last of the 300 some odd entries on the year-long observing plan. As settled in, Dan dropped by with a couple cool drinks. I slurped mine down while combing over the rich Milky Way star fields of western Cassiopeia. Sure that bright splash of stars in the finder was an open cluster. But was it the open cluster in question?

After cross referencing against a few of the brighter neighboring stars, was satisfied that I'd turned up Open Cluster M52. Many open clusters are suggestive of things terrestrial. Take any collection of objects (say coins) put them in a cup shake em up and spill em out on the floor. Then let your imagination go to work. You will eventually see something. To me Messier 52 looks like a building. At first, a church. Now I'm thinking something more Eastern - Shinto temple perhaps. Now, it's clear that this appeared some kind of "Holy Place" to my eye. Besides the shape, there is also a sense of being "set apart". Field stars seemed to ring all about this Temple - but at a respectful distance. At the time, thought of this star-poor encirclement as a "moat". But in that case M52 would be a castle. Actually not too bad an idea in itself... But I'm more personally inclined to the idea of the Holy Shrine idea. A place to go when troubled, or to give thanks to the Universe for everything. Thus, Open Cluster M52 is a Celestial Shrine.

This particular shrine is oriented north-south and placed in the heavens. About four dozen stars, magnitudes eight to twelve, are visible at 50x. The shrine's "steeple" lies to the north. To the south is the sanctuary per se. Using Dan's 82 degree, 16mm Nagler eyepiece, was able to step inside and see half-dozen thirteenth magnitude stars within that sanctuary. Perhaps stars - like people - need a place to turn when troubled, feeling a need to express gratitude, or seeking guidance from on high. Right now our leaders need to make that pilgrimmage. They need to enter that sanctuary. And they need to heed Divine guidance and do the right thing.

For me the right thing was to leave M52 and resume my celestial pilgrimage. But now my steps were free to be chosen in the moment. For though the sky is vast, my head no longer spins with disorientation. The "Freedom of the Great Lighted Way" is mine. I had completed my circle And can travel as I am called...

Carpe Noctem...

End of September, 2001 Reports

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