Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
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
Reged: 05/17/08
Posts: 1
|
|
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
Reged: 01/21/08
Posts: 421
Loc: Maryland
|
|
Yes, there are plenty. The severity of your light pollution and the size of your scope will determine how many you can see.
--------------------
Orion XT10
70mm refractor
12x50 binoculars
|
Dave Mitsky
Postmaster
Reged: 04/08/02
Posts: 10195
Loc: PA, USA, Planet Earth
|
|
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
--------------------
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
|
Ptarmigan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/23/04
Posts: 2305
Loc: Arctic
|
|
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.
--------------------
Ptarmigans=Cute and Cuddly
Meade Starfinder 8
Nikon 10x50
Rebel XT
|
Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
Thanks Guys....
Jav
|
Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
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
Reged: 06/12/08
Posts: 478
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
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.
--------------------
Mike
Zhumell 12", Oberwerk 15x70s
107 Messiers, 247 total DSOs, 6 planets, 1 comet
|
Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
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
Reged: 06/04/09
Posts: 100
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah
|
|
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
--------------------
Astronomical Observation Equipment:
Zhumell Z12 Deluxe
Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ
10x50 Bushnell Binos
A good Pair of eyes
Home Observation site:
Salt Lake City
|
Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
I finally found the Ring Nebula, it looked incredible.Nice puffy oval with a darker center.
|
kroum
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/28/08
Posts: 619
Loc: Santa Clara, CA
|
|
Yup, looks a bit like a donut don't it? 
--------------------
10in Hardin Optical Dob
100mm f6 Orion Achromat
6in Orion Short Tube Reflector
15X70 Barska Binoculars
32mm Astrola (Boo!)
25mm, 12.5mm Sterling Plossls
20mm Orion Expanse
9mm Hardin (GSO) Plossl
7.5mm Orion Ultrascopic
Ultima 2X shorty barlow
Turn on, tune in, and look through the eyepiece.
|
TheCaptain
member
Reged: 04/06/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Florence, SC
|
|
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
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 4981
Loc: Mobile, Alabama, USA
|
|
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
--------------------
15-inch F/4.5 Dob under construction
10-inch F/4.5 Discovery Dob
6-inch F/8 Homebuilt Dob
4 1/4-inch F/4 Homebuilt reflector
A whole bunch of eyepieces, filters and other accessories....
Two curious cats
|
Ptarmigan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/23/04
Posts: 2305
Loc: Arctic
|
|
Quote:
Yup, looks a bit like a donut don't it?
Yeah it does. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Donuts. <Homer's voice>
--------------------
Ptarmigans=Cute and Cuddly
Meade Starfinder 8
Nikon 10x50
Rebel XT
|
Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
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
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 895
Loc: Utah
|
|
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.
--------------------
Jay in Utah
---------------------------
Location: Lat: 40.514N Long: -112.032W
Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
— Ptolemy, c.150 AD
Jay's Observation Blog
XT6, XT8, XT10
21,17,13mm Stratus
5mm Hyperion
32 Q70
UB NB & OIII Filters
2x Shorty Barlow
Other Stuff
|
Javier
sage
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 423
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
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
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 6028
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
|
|
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.
--------------------
 Authoring a monthly AstroSketch page for "Sky at Night" magazine
Lunar Sketch Tutorial
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 
