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Observing >> Deep Sky Observing

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FirstSight
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Reged: 12/26/05
Posts: 3882
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Coathanger-like asterism near Sadr in Cygnus
      #3270418 - 08/13/09 01:41 PM

What I am referring to is NOT the well-known "coathanger" asterism in Vulpecula (Cr 399 aka Brocci's cluster) - which, while not in Cygnus is nonetheless in the broad general neighborhood off the Alberio end of Cygnus.

INSTEAD I'm referring to a small, but very striking coathanger-like asterism in Cygnus (readily visible in a mid-power widefield EP showing over half a degree TFOV and over 50x, though nearer 100x is better) that lies about one degree (perhaps fractionally less) from Sadr almost directly on a line toward Deneb. It is anchored by a very prominent, distinctive pair of orange stars that form the respective ends of the coathanger's "bar" (or perhaps mark the ends of two respective branches of a 'Y' shape). While the overall 'Y' or "coathanger" shape is fairly symmetric, with the two branches of the 'Y' meeting at a whitish star nearly equidistant from the two orange stars, nonetheless the "line" between this white apex star and one of the orange stars is marked by three fainter stars fairly close on-line, whereas the "line" between the apex star and the other orange star is only marked by one star in-between, which appears slightly brighter than the three on the other side. The asterism continues "upward" (for lack of a better term) from the apex star into a "hook" shape formed by three stars, the middle one about the same magnitude as the apex star, the one in-between them a bit fainter, and the one at the end of the "hook" being very faint. Although there are a few faint stars somewhat close to being along the line between the two bright orange stars (i.e. to suggest the coathanger's hanging bar between them), they aren't nearly so prominent or neatly-placed as in the more well-known "coathanger" asterism - in general, the orange stars are so comparatively bright and the rest of the asterism so striking that they aren't really needed to make that impression IMHO.

The only object I can find referenced in that vicinity that could be a potential candidate is NGC 6910, which Kepple and Sanner describe as a "Y" - shaped" object; however, the black and white photo they include of that object (nore the rest of their description isn't really consistent enough with what I see at the eyepiece to convince me they're referring to the same object I am.

Ideas what else I might have spotted (or else perhaps I'm seeing 6910 and simply noticing different details, perhaps the asterism includes background/foreground stars that aren't formally really part of that open cluster?) Star charts I have available simply don't go deep enough to show this asterism, but if you start at Sadr with a widefield eyepiece and start wandering up toward Deneb, you'll likely readily find the object I'm referring to - the two orange stars kind jump out at you.

--------------------
Chris M., aka "First Sight"
Orion XT12i Dob with Moonlite CR-2 focuser
WO Megrez 90 refractor on UniStar Light mount
Nikon 10x50 Binoculars


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TenthEnemy
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Reged: 01/21/08
Posts: 428
Loc: Maryland
Re: Coathanger-like asterism near Sadr in Cygnus new [Re: FirstSight]
      #3270481 - 08/13/09 02:20 PM

Here is a sketch of 6910 that someone posted on the sketching forum: NGC 6910

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Orion XT10
70mm refractor
12x50 binoculars


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tatarjj
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Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 1134
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Re: Coathanger-like asterism near Sadr in Cygnus new [Re: TenthEnemy]
      #3270518 - 08/13/09 02:41 PM

NGC 6910 does look alot like what you describe:
http://www.astrosurf.com/jwisn/ngc6910.htm

--------------------
John T.
Austin, TX
25" f/4.2 Dob
18" Obsession #701
4" Stellar Vue Achromat
8X56 Binos


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FirstSight
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Reged: 12/26/05
Posts: 3882
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Re: Coathanger-like asterism near Sadr in Cygnus new [Re: tatarjj]
      #3270615 - 08/13/09 03:36 PM

Quote:

NGC 6910 does look alot like what you describe:
http://www.astrosurf.com/jwisn/ngc6910.htm




Yes, that's it! This color photo far more accurately shows what you see at the EP than the b&w photo in Kepple & Sanner. The sketch is not bad either. However, at the EP of my 12" dob in mag 5(-) at zenith sky, the stars other than the two bright orange ones are relatively less prominent than in the photo, and the end one on the "hook" is just barely above being an averted vision object.

NGC 6910 is remarkably seldom mentioned for such a striking asterism in such an easily found location in the sky. It's much prettier in the EP than the photo might suggest. Definitely worth your effort to check it out out next clear night while Cygnus is overhead.

--------------------
Chris M., aka "First Sight"
Orion XT12i Dob with Moonlite CR-2 focuser
WO Megrez 90 refractor on UniStar Light mount
Nikon 10x50 Binoculars


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18UCinVA
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Reged: 10/24/08
Posts: 150
Loc: Virginia
Re: Coathanger-like asterism near Sadr in Cygnus new [Re: FirstSight]
      #3271066 - 08/13/09 07:36 PM

It will be visible at MASP.

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Ray

18 UC
Celestron 32, 24, and 20mm Erfle's


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