Telescope Reviews: No Shame White Zone Report (NYC): 8/17

Hello All,

Today I’d like to begin posting my very basic observation reports from my NYC White Zone location. I am a novice observer, my reporting skills are basic at best, my aperture is not grand – but every so often I'd like to post these observations for a few reasons that quickly come to mind:

a) Not all white zones are alike – some white zones are worse than others. I will report what I can see so that others can compare. Perhaps I’ll report a miss while someone will report a hit for a particular object under similar conditions.
b) I’d like to possibly influence those sitting on the fence on a scope purchase living in a big city white zone. I was one of those for a long time pondering if it was worth it – would I actually ever see anything.
c) I want to practice writing these and improving my knowledge of the sky. I’ve had my scope 3 years, but it was only until the last couple of months that I’m settled into my new home and I’m able to pull out the scope at will or when the sky is actually better than reported by the Clear Sky Clock

Some notes and comments, questions were added after the night of the observation. In any case, I know the veterans will get a chuckle at some of the easy targets below but – no shame…

NGC 6939 22:22 20090817, 5TMB (250x) OC, Cepheus SQM 17.90, CSC AboveAvg.
Using eta Cephei as the jumpoff, I hopped to the location where I knew this open cluster should be. There were three field stars to the upper right that formed what I described as a ‘tilted, short, and wide-based pyramid’. The cluster should have been at the base of that pyramid but I could not see it in the 13 or 11T6. I switched to the 7T6 and eventually saw stars with averted vision. I popped in the 5TMB and saw “At least 15 pinpoints of light. Rectangular looking toward the bottom. Triangular toward the left side.’ Feels good to have pulled this in but why was this so difficult w/o the 250x? Why did I not pursue NGC 6946 while I was here?

M29 22:35 20090817, 7T6 (179x) OC, Cygnus
Easy to find. In a field of what seemed to be a widely separated cluster, a group of more tightly packed stars popped out. About 18 initially pop out to signal attention but then fainter stars appear upon concentration and averted vision.

Jupiter 22:45 20090817, 7T6 (179x) Planet
I studied this all last night but did not note my observation. Tonight at least 9 bands are visible in red and yellowish-white hues. There are 4 moons visible tonight, 2 close to each other on the left, 2 wider apart on the right This is the opposite configuration from last night where 2 were close on the right and 2 farther apart on the left. Nice to see that these moons are orbiting another planetary body. One faint dot above Jupiter – probably a field star. Are other moons ever visible and viewable with my scope and conditions?

Uranus 22:56 20090817, 7T6 (179x) Planet
I’m not 100% sure that what I’m seeing is actually Uranus. There are a pair of fairly dim stars to the upper left and another to the upper right of this blueish dim pinpoint of light. It looks slight fuzzy compared to the other points of light and is it blueish or are my eyes deceiving me?

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M25 21:27 20090820 7T6, 5TMB OC, Sagittarius SQM 18.11, CSC Above Avg.
In the 7T6 looks like salt sprinkled into this area of the night sky; more concentrated toward the center with a row of about 5 stars. One of the center stars looks orange. A fair pairs sprinkled about. I remember this looking awesome in Culebra in a pair of 15X70 Binos, amazing what dark skies will do to an objects appearance.

M16 21:40 20090820 7T6, 5TMB (250x) OC Serpens (Cauda)
Stick figure like pattern in the center of the cluster. Brighter stars to the top and to the right. A bunched up group of fainter stars also to the top right. Another cluster that I remember being awed by in Culebra, P.R under dark skies.

M18 22:15 20090820 7T6, 5TMB (250x) OC, Sagittarius
3 Guide stars very close together with surrounding loose cluster. Stars are sprinkled everywhere but very faint mostly – more appear when the seeing steadies. Certain areas seem to have mini clusters of fainter stars - the 5TMB (250x) improve those areas very nicely. I wish I had more mag power with larger. Yet another Culebra, P.R. gem.

M11 Wild Duck Cluster 22:45 20090820 7T6, 5TMB (250x) OC, Scutum
Wow. Like 2 tightly packed mini clusters inside a less tightly packed larger cluster. The cluster appears to loosen up to the upper right and bottom right. Even more stars are visible at 250x, averted vision, and steadier moments. Why is this object not considered a globular cluster? As beautiful as this is, why does this not look like a duck?

M39 23:06 20090821 7T6 (179x) OC, Cepheus
Cepheus is very bright over head, and this open cluster is nice and clear. Looks like several mini pairs and triples. There is a formation that looks like the top of a cross; fainter stars to the bottom right. This is a generally bright and clear cluster but even more stars pop in with averted vision and steadier moments.

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M31 / M110 22:30 20090821 13T6 (96x) Galaxies, Andromeda SQM 18.07 CSC Avg.
Two fluffy cottonballs at opposite edges of the eyepiece fov. Very nice to know these are two galaxies I’m starring at. M31 appears to be about 5 – 6 x bigger. When I move the eyepiece to focus on M31, I see more stars with averted vision and start to see a more elongated shape. Addendum: Why did I not look for M32?

M71 24:00 20090821 5TMB (250x) GC, Sagita [NO SUCCESS]
Clouds will be here soon but I am pointing at a very clear area. I know I am in the correct area but I don’t think I see a cluster. Does this cluster have two mini sections? I ask because I think I see stars with averted vision in two tiny areas. I can’t be certain that I’m seeing anything real. It is frustrating because I can see so many stars in Sagita even through the viewfinder.

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M2 22:41 20090822 5TMB (250x) GC, Aquarius SQM 18:06 CSC Avg
Very weird that it is so clear right now as there is a hurricane off the coast – I’m sure this will not last. M2 is an easy star hop and actually visible in the view finder to the right of 2 guide stars. Much more impressive at 250x than with the 7T6 at 179x. Very nice evenly distributed stars for the most part. Other fainter stars are around but perhaps not associated with the cluster; these are also visible with averted vision.

M15 22:53 20090822 5TMB (250x) GC, Pegasus
Not as big as M2, however, still beautiful. Again an easy starhop. Not as bright or large a core as M2 but there are plenty of stars scattered slightly away from the core. With averted vision I think I see a row a thin row of stars away toward the left from the top and bottom.

M27 Dumbbell Nebula 23:25 20090822 DGM NPB Filter, 7T6, 5TMB PN, Vulpecula
My first view of the dumbbell! Sagita is visible with the naked eye tonight, so in the viewfinder many stars are visible enough to make this starhop a piece of cake. I’m seeing a fuzzy imperfect circle with two bites (shadows) taken out of either side. The filter DGM NPB filter improves the contrast. Nice. Two stars to the lower left.

NOTE: One thing I'd like to do next time is indicate North South East West instead of Top Bottom Left Right, etc.

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Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been

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