Observing Report 11/21/03
Equipment: Heep ('umble 4.5" DS Newtonian on EQ mount, 900mm, f/8)
Eyepieces: 20mm, 10mm, 6.7mm Meade Plossls
Location: Goodwood, Ont. (approx. 44n, 79w)
Time: 0230 - 0730 UT
=======================================================
The York Simcoe Amateur Astronomers observing session was at a farm owned by one of the members. There were seven of us altogether, although there were only five scopes. Two were Meade 8" SCT's on fork mounts, one a Megrez-80 on a simple camera tripod, an 8" Orion dob, and 'umble Heep. A new member, also was on hand with his 10x50 bino's. He had wisely decided to defer the purchase of a scope until after having done some comparative observing.
My planned target list included some pretty obscure and challenging objects, at least for a 4.5" scope: I wanted to get NGC 7331 before Pegasus disappeared for the year; also M74 and M77, both of which, I've heard, are pretty faint. Also wanted to try for M76. M74 and M77 are getting close to the western horizon by 9:00 PM local (0200 UT), and M76 is pretty near the zenith by that time. I have trouble viewing near the zenith, it gets difficult to point the scope.
So much for plans: intermittent high clouds hampered the viewing; was forced to view between the holes. Besides, by the time I got there, Pisces and Cetus were already speeding towards the western horizon, and the clouds didn't clear out until 0400 or so.
So most of my targets were in the south and east this night. I wasn't complaining; there are so many beautiful objects in winter. I started with M37 in Auriga. What a gorgeous sight from a dark location! I had seen it from my light-strewn front yard, but it look like little more than a smudge. Here, I was able to discern at least two dozen stars in a hazy background; almost like a miniature M11.
Saturn was my next stop ... I showed it to Jamie (the new member), who had never seen it in a scope before. You can guess his reaction. If your first view of Saturn doesn't blow you away, check your pulse.
(cont'd)
Equipment: Heep ('umble 4.5" DS Newtonian on EQ mount, 900mm, f/8)
Eyepieces: 20mm, 10mm, 6.7mm Meade Plossls
Location: Goodwood, Ont. (approx. 44n, 79w)
Time: 0230 - 0730 UT
=======================================================
The York Simcoe Amateur Astronomers observing session was at a farm owned by one of the members. There were seven of us altogether, although there were only five scopes. Two were Meade 8" SCT's on fork mounts, one a Megrez-80 on a simple camera tripod, an 8" Orion dob, and 'umble Heep. A new member, also was on hand with his 10x50 bino's. He had wisely decided to defer the purchase of a scope until after having done some comparative observing.
My planned target list included some pretty obscure and challenging objects, at least for a 4.5" scope: I wanted to get NGC 7331 before Pegasus disappeared for the year; also M74 and M77, both of which, I've heard, are pretty faint. Also wanted to try for M76. M74 and M77 are getting close to the western horizon by 9:00 PM local (0200 UT), and M76 is pretty near the zenith by that time. I have trouble viewing near the zenith, it gets difficult to point the scope.
So much for plans: intermittent high clouds hampered the viewing; was forced to view between the holes. Besides, by the time I got there, Pisces and Cetus were already speeding towards the western horizon, and the clouds didn't clear out until 0400 or so.
So most of my targets were in the south and east this night. I wasn't complaining; there are so many beautiful objects in winter. I started with M37 in Auriga. What a gorgeous sight from a dark location! I had seen it from my light-strewn front yard, but it look like little more than a smudge. Here, I was able to discern at least two dozen stars in a hazy background; almost like a miniature M11.
Saturn was my next stop ... I showed it to Jamie (the new member), who had never seen it in a scope before. You can guess his reaction. If your first view of Saturn doesn't blow you away, check your pulse.
(cont'd)
