Observing from the LAAS site in Lockwood valley last night, Friday 11-25, was a bit of a challenge. Seeing was poor, at 2/5 and transparency could have been better with less ice crystals in the air. However, I was able to do fairly well with DSOs in Cetus, the whale. The constellation does not ride high enough for really outstanding views in my latitude but enough detail can be realized in some of the objects to make the observing effort worthwhile.
A couple of objects stand out from the many galaxies observable in this constellation. First up is a fine planetary, NGC 246, registering 10.9 magnitude and nearly 3' in diameter. Although visible without an 0111 filter, I used my Lumicon 0111 to enhance the view in my 16" dob in conjunction with an ES 24mm eyepiece. The latter combination afforded a view quite similar to the image in the Observer's Guide. I think both I and Floyd Blue were similarly impressed with the overall appearance of this object, given the seeing conditions at the time.
Next up, a very large 9.2 magnitude galaxy at 19' x 5' is NGC 247. This one spanned a great deal of the 82 degree AFOV in my ES24mm ocular. As noted in the Observer's Guide, the halo is teardrop-shaped with a mottled central area. It's definitely a must see object.
I tried but failed to detect IC 1613, a member of the Milky Way's Local Galaxy Group. Although having a magnitude of 9.2 and a size of 20.0' x 18.5', the Observer's Guide notes it is visible even in larger scopes as only a large irregular haze. The Guide also notes it is a dwarf irregular system similar to the Magellanic clouds. I suspect if the seeing had been better, or if the object was riding higher in the sky, I'd probably would have detected it. I'd be interesting in reading the comments from other observers who may have seen this galaxy.
Check out NGC 1035, a spindle galaxy having a magnitude of 12.2 with an appearance of a "slash" in the eyepiece. It certainly has a distinct view in the eyepiece compared to most galaxies.
I hit other galaxies in Cetus as well but the aforementioned objects were stand-outs. If you've observed them and wish to share your comments, please do...
A couple of objects stand out from the many galaxies observable in this constellation. First up is a fine planetary, NGC 246, registering 10.9 magnitude and nearly 3' in diameter. Although visible without an 0111 filter, I used my Lumicon 0111 to enhance the view in my 16" dob in conjunction with an ES 24mm eyepiece. The latter combination afforded a view quite similar to the image in the Observer's Guide. I think both I and Floyd Blue were similarly impressed with the overall appearance of this object, given the seeing conditions at the time.
Next up, a very large 9.2 magnitude galaxy at 19' x 5' is NGC 247. This one spanned a great deal of the 82 degree AFOV in my ES24mm ocular. As noted in the Observer's Guide, the halo is teardrop-shaped with a mottled central area. It's definitely a must see object.
I tried but failed to detect IC 1613, a member of the Milky Way's Local Galaxy Group. Although having a magnitude of 9.2 and a size of 20.0' x 18.5', the Observer's Guide notes it is visible even in larger scopes as only a large irregular haze. The Guide also notes it is a dwarf irregular system similar to the Magellanic clouds. I suspect if the seeing had been better, or if the object was riding higher in the sky, I'd probably would have detected it. I'd be interesting in reading the comments from other observers who may have seen this galaxy.
Check out NGC 1035, a spindle galaxy having a magnitude of 12.2 with an appearance of a "slash" in the eyepiece. It certainly has a distinct view in the eyepiece compared to most galaxies.
I hit other galaxies in Cetus as well but the aforementioned objects were stand-outs. If you've observed them and wish to share your comments, please do...
