| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 05/26/09 11:49 AM |
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Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Hey guys,
Are there any deep sky objects that can be seen in light polluted areas? Due to family obligations and my work schedule I usually have to observe in my backyard. I wish I could drive an hour to a very dark area but that won't happen.
I apologize if this is a posting more suited for the LP forum but I wasn't sure.
Jav
| clearnights_365 |
| (newbie) |
| 05/26/09 01:50 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Globular star clusters look pretty good from moderate light polluted areas. M-13 is one of my faves to see from central Tucson. There are quite a few globulars to see. The ring nebula can be a good one too. Some bright glaxies like M-81, M-82 are visible.
In winter, the Orion nebula is THE gem of the sky in most any sky brightness. A sky glow filter helps improve contrast too.
Good luck & clear skies.
| TenthEnemy |
| (sage) |
| 05/26/09 01:55 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Yes, there are plenty. The severity of your light pollution and the size of your scope will determine how many you can see.
| Dave Mitsky |
| (Postmaster) |
| 05/26/09 02:07 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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There are a number of links on urban astronomy posted at http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=ss&id=152
Two articles that you may want to consult are posted at
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/basics/3303991.html and
http://ezinearticles.com/?Urban-Astronomy---Seeing-the-Skies-in-Light-Polluted-Areas&id=1468200
Open clusters and high surface brightness planetary nebulae are the best deep-sky targets for city observers, although a number of globular clusters and some bright emission nebulae such as M8 and M42 and galaxies like M31, M81, and M82 can also be seen.
Here are some lists of deep-sky objects that are visible from cities:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/projects/3074841.html
http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/urban/urbanld.html
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=4744
Dave Mitsky
| Ptarmigan |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 05/26/09 03:23 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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I posted this in the Light Pollution section after someone asked the same question too. I will gladly post it here.
The Astronomy League's Urban List is a good one. However, I have beeb able to see objects that are not listed as being visible in a urban sky. They were M53 and M79. M79 is further south than M53. M79 is one of the more difficult Messier and globular cluster. At the time, the seeing and transparency was really exceptional despite the light pollution. Also, a cold front had passed.
Hope it helps.
| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 05/26/09 06:10 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Thanks Guys....
Jav
| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 06/27/09 11:29 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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I tried to snag a look at the Ring Nebula last night, no dice. I know I was near it but I just couldn't find it. Jupiter looked awesome though....
| NerfMonkey |
| (sage) |
| 06/27/09 11:50 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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The Ring is very small; it's obvious once you've seen it but the trick is to know what you're looking for. Use good charts to get to the right spot and use an eyepiece that gives you a fairly wide field of view, and look for a fuzzy star. Keep after it and you'll get it eventually.
| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 06/27/09 02:34 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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AH!!! So it looks like a fuzzy star!!! I was looking for fuzzy rings or a very soft circular blob. Ok, if the clouds don't mess with me I'm going to my very first dark site with an astronomy club I joined. If I can see the Ring and Owl Nebula's I'm a happy guy.
| Alpha Orionis |
| (super member) |
| 06/27/09 05:21 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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the owl nebula is very faint. under heavy light pollution (red skies)and average transparency it appears as a large (compared to the ring nebula) very faint oval at 165x with my 12incher. you really cant see the "eyes". the Ring is waaayy more pronounced. under the same conditions with the same scope and same magnification, the Ring looks like a bright 3D puffy oval
| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 06/28/09 07:04 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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I finally found the Ring Nebula, it looked incredible.Nice puffy oval with a darker center.
| kroum |
| (professor emeritus) |
| 06/30/09 03:37 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Yup, looks a bit like a donut don't it?
| TheCaptain |
| (member) |
| 06/30/09 04:27 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Yeah, that's why I often refer to it as the Krispy Kreme nebula.
Looks just like a glazed donut hanging in the sky. If you look close you can see the interstellar police cruisers docked nearby.
| Achernar |
| (Postmaster) |
| 07/01/09 10:53 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Bright star clusters and planetary nebulae often can be seen from light polluted areas, at least from smaller cities. If you don't have one yet, get a nebula filter such as an Orion Ultrablock or even one of the O-III filters. They don't work on galaxies and star clusters, but they help nebulae immensely, even from dark sites as well as cities.
Taras
| Ptarmigan |
| (Carpal Tunnel) |
| 07/01/09 12:15 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Quote:
Yup, looks a bit like a donut don't it?
Yeah it does. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Donuts. <Homer's voice>
| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 07/06/09 06:10 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Found M13 last evening around 9:45 or 10PM. The moon was working against me but I finally found it on my own. I went to a club viewing this past Friday and a member found it for me, but I didn't consider it "found" until I did the work myself. The moon was really washing it out, not to mention the light pollution in my area.
| JayinUT |
| (I'm not Sleepy) |
| 07/06/09 09:55 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Javier,
As mentioned above, the Urban Observing Club which can be found here provides a list of both deep sky objects and double stars that you can look at. At the bottom of the page you can download sheets for both the deep sky objects, the double and variable stars and a guide on observing in light polluted areas. Then you can use Stellarium or an Atlas to locate the items if you want.
I'll also state that the more one observes the easier it becomes to find objects as you train your eye on what to look for and see.
| Javier |
| (sage) |
| 07/06/09 09:03 PM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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Hi Jay,
I printed the list from the Urban Observing Club and I'm going to view as many objects as possible. Yes, the more a person observes the easier it becomes to spot deep sky objects.
| Carol L |
| () |
| 07/07/09 03:01 AM |
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Re: Deep Sky Objects for light polluted area
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They're not DSOs, but have you considered hunting down Carbon Stars? S&T's Pocket Sky Atlas includes them on the charts.. adds a bit of color to a session.