7134 replies to this topic

[Amazed]

Alas, only snow flakes

[Ionthesky]

Alas, only snow flakes

Yeah, it's been a tough winter in the Northeast.  Snow overnight and freezing rain today.

I think I can count on the fingers of my one hand the number of nights we've had with conditions good enough to put even a grab 'n go scope outside...

...and I'd still be able to answer a call on my smartphone with the same hand.

 

Not to wish time away, but c'mon spring!

 

   

Edited by Ionthesky, 16 February 2025 - 09:58 AM.

[SubaruB4]

Same here in CT, at the moment it's raining pretty hard for me it's just waiting for my telescope and setting it up and see how well it balances.. I might have some decent skies later on in the week.

[MrsM75]

omg I'm dreaming am I, at 1AM right now M3, M5, M53, Leo Triplets, M101, are all high up in the sky for viewing. Yep, at 1AM

 

Then at 2:20AM is that Omega Centauri culminate here at 8 degrees altitude.

 

And Ophichuchus (spelling) start rising too.

 

And 4:10AM Scorpius clear the horizon, and I mean the whole head and body and tail clear the horizon.

 

aaaaaaa we getting closer to Summer aren't we.

 

By April at 4AM I will have Saggitarius up. Well, at least that whole Summer Triangle is back again.

 

Aquarius is last to come back around as it is a late Summer/early Fall constellation.

 

Hurry hurry April please.

[MrsM75]

See last Summer I was getting distracted by that most well-behave Dumbbell Nebula, omg the thing is super well-behave that I can even see it in my 60mm Coke can size Mak on a full Moon. With 60mm Mak that is binocular size, but that Dumbbell still show.

 

I got distracted so last Summer I didn't spend as much time as I would like with M75, I feel bad. Well this year I will make it up to M75. Even think of buy a SeeStar and just put it outside all night for 8 hours and just let it stack and stack pictures of M75 lolol.

[edsmx5]

See last Summer I was getting distracted by that most well-behave Dumbbell Nebula, omg the thing is super well-behave that I can even see it in my 60mm Coke can size Mak on a full Moon. With 60mm Mak that is binocular size, but that Dumbbell still show.

I got distracted so last Summer I didn't spend as much time as I would like with M75, I feel bad. Well this year I will make it up to M75. Even think of buy a SeeStar and just put it outside all night for 8 hours and just let it stack and stack pictures of M75 lolol.

VERY happy to see your name pop up!!

[MrsM75]

VERY happy to see your name pop up!!

 

How your shoulder surgery healing Sir? You think by Summer you be okay with the 180mm Skymax Mak? omg you should look at the Helix, you have a darker sky than me, and a bigger aperature. omg swooonnn.

[edsmx5]

How your shoulder surgery healing Sir? You think by Summer you be okay with the 180mm Skymax Mak? omg you should look at the Helix, you have a darker sky than me, and a bigger aperature. omg swooonnn.

I think I will be able to handle the smaller scopes by the end of March; the 180mm and the Dobs by mid-Spring. Of course, I'll be back at work too, which will cut into my viewing time.
I'm glad to see that you're doing a bit better, and can get outside.

[dhop86]

Last night I was able to observe one of Jupiter's moons (not sure which one) casting a shadow over the surface of the planet. I was fortunate enough to spot it while it was toward the right side of the planet (mirror image, so it was actually on the other side), and was able to observe it over the course of a few hours moving to the complete opposite side of the planet.

 

As the moon's shadow moved toward the other side of Jupiter the moon itself started coming into view. As the shadow got closer to the edge of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot came into view on the other side of the planet. It was really awesome to see the moon's shadow and the GRS at the same time.

 

We actually managed to have somewhat decent skies here too, so I was able to use a 9mm eyepiece with a 2x barlow to get 266x magnification. It was definitely a bit grainy, but when the sky above settled for a few moments, the image was the best view of Jupiter I've ever achieved. 

Edited by dhop86, 18 February 2025 - 09:55 AM.

[RoofMonkey911]

I’m just South of you (manatee county) If it was around 8pm it was Io casting its shadow.

Look for an app named GasGiants  I use an iPhone, but it may be available in the Playstore as well.

Screenshot for last night

 

 

Last night I was able to observe one of Jupiter's moons (not sure which one) casting a shadow over the surface of the planet. I was fortunate enough to spot it while it was toward the right side of the planet (mirror image, so it was actually on the other side), and was able to observe it over the course of a few hours moving to the complete opposite side of the planet.

 

As the moon's shadow moved toward the other side of Jupiter the moon itself started coming into view. As the shadow got closer to the edge of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot came into view on the other side of the planet. It was really awesome to see the moon's shadow and the GRS at the same time.

 

We actually managed to have somewhat decent skies here too, so I was able to use a 9mm eyepiece with a 2x barlow to get 266x magnification. It was definitely a bit grainy, but when the sky above settled for a few moments, the image was the best view of Jupiter I've ever achieved. 

 

[Dave Mitsky]

I viewed over 40 man-made or natural celestial objects last night from my red zone home with my Canon 15x50 IS binocular.  

Using my 6" f/7.9 Apertura AD6 Dob, I observed Mars, Jupiter, h3945 (the Winter Albeiro), 31 Orionis, Struve 761, Sigma Orionis, M42, M44, NGC 1980, NGC 1981, NGC 2169, and NGC 2362.  

A GRS transit took place but the seeing was very poor.

https://www.cloudyni...sit/?p=13981230
 

I also imaged Jupiter, M35 and NGC 2158, M42, M51, M65, M66, and NGC 3628, M67, NGC 2261, and NGC 2264 with my Seestar S50.

It was cold (17 degrees Fahrenheit) but not windy like the previous night when I only did a short binocular observing session.

[Jehujones]

It’s a beautiful night and I have to work tomorrow 

[Bearcub]

A comet, first time saw ever.. the best about it, it was not intentional!

 

All my comets are disabled because they are 10+ magnitude, but somehow i was using nv and looking at some open clusters and saw one.

[edsmx5]

I viewed over 40 man-made or natural celestial objects last night from my red zone home with my Canon 15x50 IS binocular.

Using my 6" f/7.9 Apertura AD6 Dob, I observed Mars, Jupiter, h3945 (the Winter Albeiro), 31 Orionis, Struve 761, Sigma Orionis, M42, M44, NGC 1980, NGC 1981, NGC 2169, and NGC 2362.

A GRS transit took place but the seeing was very poor.

https://www.cloudyni...sit/?p=13981230

I also imaged Jupiter, M35 and NGC 2158, M42, M51, M65, M66, and NGC 3628, M67, NGC 2261, and NGC 2264 with my Seestar S50.

It was cold (17 degrees Fahrenheit) but not windy like the previous night when I only did a short binocular observing session.

I'm tired of the cold :-(

[jcj380]

Went out to try a couple of new to me low power EPs as finders this morning in my AT60ED.  Seeing was mediocre to poor, but I did notice Tau Sco close to the southern limb of the moon.

 

I scanned around a bit and when I went back to the moon, Tau was gone.  ​   My first thought was maybe there was a grazing occultation, but then I realized astro twilight had started so it was just lost in the brightening sky.  

 

Hoping for another clear sky tomorrow.  

[Jehujones]

A comet, first time saw ever.. the best about it, it was not intentional!

 

All my comets are disabled because they are 10+ magnitude, but somehow i was using nv and looking at some open clusters and saw one.

I love comets  where did you find it?

[MrsM75]

ugh ugh.. I'm going to get out there at 2AM tonight and try for that Leo Triplets. And after succeed this that is it, No more galaxy, galaxies is daunting, But I am determine on this Leo Triplet, my dad (whom died already) but he a Leo Sun, so I want to do this for dad as a reminder of him that I found something in Leo.

 

Leo is not my friend, Virgo is not my friend neither. NONE of the galaxies stuff are my friend.

 

ugh..

ugh..

 

ugh..

 

I just want globs,

[Dave Mitsky]

ugh ugh.. I'm going to get out there at 2AM tonight and try for that Leo Triplets. And after succeed this that is it, No more galaxy, galaxies is daunting, But I am determine on this Leo Triplet, my dad (whom died already) but he a Leo Sun, so I want to do this for dad as a reminder of him that I found something in Leo.

 

Leo is not my friend, Virgo is not my friend neither. NONE of the galaxies stuff are my friend.

 

ugh..

ugh..

 

ugh..

 

I just want globs,

Well, while you're out there, MrsM75, you could take a look at M3, M5, and M68 too. 

[edsmx5]

I took the 102ed out last night for a quick half hour session; it was as much a strength test as it was an observing session. It was COLD, mid/upper 20s, and clear.( the temp was another reason for the short session). I only hit two objects, Jupiter and the Orion Nebula, using the 20/100, 10/82, and 7/100 EPs.
Jupiter was nice and high in the sky, making for good views, but some challenging viewing positions. The two bands stood out easily, and the surface had a mottled look, rather than a uniform beige/white color. The seeing was good, not great; things began to wash out with the 7mm.
Orion was ok, a bit of a disappointment, it cried for more aperture. Still the Trapezium was nice and sharp, but the Nebula was "blah", thin and indistinct ( being lower in the sky didn't help matters).
I really started to get cold- eyes watering, nose running- so I decided to call it a night.
As I said, it was a test of the rotator cuff as much as an observing session. I'll try the 127SLT mak next time out, and work my way up to the "big boys", the 115edt, the 180mm Mak, and the Dobs: baby steps, lol.

[jcj380]

Took out my AT60ED last night starting at 1930 to try out a couple new to me low power EPs as finders.  This was unusual b/c I almost always observe pre-dawn.

 

Concentrated mainly on Orion's sword while switching back and forth between EPs and comparing the sharpness of the edge of the FOV.   Nice that the FOV covered from Iota Ori up to the NGC 1981 cluster.  

 

With a bunch of neighbors' lights on and snow cover on the ground, targets like M42 were pretty washed out.  Trapezium was nicely resolved.  Swung over to M41 eventually and called it a night about 2100.

[Jehujones]

ugh ugh.. I'm going to get out there at 2AM tonight and try for that Leo Triplets. And after succeed this that is it, No more galaxy, galaxies is daunting, But I am determine on this Leo Triplet, my dad (whom died already) but he a Leo Sun, so I want to do this for dad as a reminder of him that I found something in Leo.

 

Leo is not my friend, Virgo is not my friend neither. NONE of the galaxies stuff are my friend.

 

ugh..

ugh..

 

ugh..

 

I just want globs,

I understand, galaxies in a suburban sky are not visually impressive. Galaxies in a suburban sky are much more about finding them than observing them. But it does sharpen your hunting skills. I think you have done extremely well finding them in your sky. Some day when you get to a truly dark sky you might find them more enjoyable. 

[MrsM75]

Hi, I read the thread but has not comment back, because I still not succeed find NGC 3628 yet. This one the most faint out of the 3 galaixes in Leo Triplet and it driving me bonker.

 

Also for the last 2 days something is in the air that my respiratory don't like, when I go outside I started sneezing and itchy eyes and itchy throat, and runny nose, I have to carry a box of Kleenex tissue with me out there. I was not able to stay out long, my eyes itch, my throat itch, I sneeze nonstop.

 

Rather I catch a cold or it some allergies pollen stuff out there in my are some trees, I dunno.

 

I am pending this NGC 3628

 

oh, and I went out with my 90mm Skymax that I got last month from Amazon Japan. I do not see NGC 3628 with the 90mm, maybe I need my 127mm Mak instead.

 

I have no problem see the Globulars, planetary nebulas, nor have problem see that pair in Big Dippers M81 and M82 with the 90mm

 

But when it come to that NGC 3628, ugh.. my eyes cannot detect it. I heard that it faint and even a slighest haze in the sky will kill NGC 3628 DEAD, especially in suburban sky.

 

 

I see NGC 2261 that Hubble Variable Nebula with my 90mm Mak

 

But I cannot see NGC 3628

 

Pending...

 

I'm still determine to find it. omg this thing is DAUNTING. 

 

I salute the Sirs who are Galaxies people, I don't know how you Sirs do it, I can't do it.

 

ugh.. 

ugh..

[MrsM75]

I am sorry but hands down, Galaxies are the hardest DSO in the sky, even nebulas can't be compared. Globulars are easy, 60mm baby Mak is enough to pick up the Globs.

 

Galaxies is hard, it not fun, it daunting and will make your eyes bleed from searching for it. 

 

I thought that faint magnitude 9.4 glob M72 was hard, wait till NGC 3628.

 

See this what make no sense, NGC 3628 is magnitude 9.5

M72 glob in Aquarius is magnitude 9.4 dim it is the hardest glob in the whole Messier list.

BUT

my Mak pick up M72 though, but it just won't pick up NGC 3628

 

And both are around same magnitude.

 

What is going on. I am not giving up, I am trying for NGC 3628 this whole Spring until I find it.

[MrsM75]

I heard with NGC 3628 any slightest haze or bad transparency in the sky will kill it DEAD. I mean here in my bright sky, not the Bortle 2 Sir Slip sky, lolol.

 

oh well it is my mission to see NGC 3628 this Spring. I know exactly where it is because I can see M65 and M66, but my eyes just can't detect NGC 3628 which I was told it the faintest one.

 

But my small Maks can see M72 glob though and it magnitude 9.4 dim

But NGC 3628 which is magnitude 9.5 so same dim magnitude but I fail to see it.

 

What is going onnnn...

[MrsM75]

I'm sorry but I need to vent, as this drive me bonker. Good thing I am not a galaxy person or else I go crazy, but I am determine to find NGC 3628

 

So you see Owl Nebula Messier 97 that thing is magnitude 10, yep magnitude 10, but my Mak see it, like easy see it.

 

Even the Skull Nebula NGC 246 in Cetus it magnitude 11 but my Mak pick it up.

 

But NGC 3628 is magnitude 9.5 but no where in sight.

 

okay breath, so Leo Triplet is contain M65 and M66 and NGC 3628

 

The easiest for my Mak was the egg shape M66, well it looks like egg shape in my Mak.

Then next is the vertical M65

 

NGC 3628 like it not even there.

 

ugh...

ugh.. 

somehow Mak must discriminate between a Messier galaxy and a NGC galaxy here, lol. It like it can tell M65 and M66 and it show, but NGC one it not show.

Edited by MrsM75, 23 February 2025 - 04:54 AM.