Finishing Up the Binocular Messier

by Tom Campbell

STARLOG

January 23, 2004

ObserverTom Campbell
LocationIola, Kansas (Long: 95=B024'W Lat: 37=B055'N)
EquipmentSimmons 10x50WA
Time8:30pm - 10:45pm CST (02:30-04:45 UT)
TransparencyMostly Clear (7/10)
SeeingSomewhat Stable (6/10)
WeatherTemperatures in the lower 40s. There was little or no breeze.

Observing Summary
ANDROMEDAM31
CANCERM67
CASSIOPEIAM103
HYDRAM48
LEPUSM79
MONOCEROSM50
ORIONM42, M43, M78
PUPPISM93
URSA MAJORM81, M82

Looking back on my previous StarLogs, my last observing session was back in November of last year. Bad weather, wind, and cold prevented me from being able to spend a night under the stars. Tonight's weather was a little chilly, but the sky was clear and it was near New Moon. I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity.

After having my telescope outside for an hour and a half, I began my observing session. The weather had cooled off a bit more, and dew was a serious problem. After a few minutes of observing and wiping off eyepieces, I gave up on my telescope and went to my binoculars. I had another dozen Messier objects to observe in order to complete the Astronomical League's Binocular Messier program. I still had to wipe dew off my binocular lenses frequently, but I felt a lot better about doing it on a $25 pair of binoculars.

M 31AndromedaSpiral Galaxy8:35pm CST
Andromeda GalaxyRA: 00h 42m 44sDec: +41=B0 16'Mag: 4.4

This galaxy appeared as a large, fuzzy patch of light. The core was bright and oval-shaped. The fainter spiral arms appeared as a much fainter glow surrounding the core, and extending out about a core's length in either direction.

M 42OrionReflection Nebula8:40pm CST
Orion NebulaRA: 05h 35m 26sDec: -05=B0 55'Mag: 2.5

This nebula looked great through binoculars. Two bright stars were visible in the heart of the nebula, which stretched out like a fan.

M 43OrionReflection Nebula8:40pm CST
NGC 1977RA: 05h 35m 18sDec: -04=B0 49'Mag: -

This reflection nebula appeared as a bright little puff at the base of M42.

M 78OrionReflection Nebula9:00pm CST
NGC 2068RA: 05h 46m 45sDec: +00=B0 03'Mag: -

This nebula appeared as a star with some fuzz around it. It was somewhat difficult to see from my location.

M 103CassiopeiaOpen Cluster9:05pm CST
NGC 581RA: 01h 33m 22sDec: +60=B0 39'Mag: 7.4

This cluster appeared as one or two stars surrounded by an elongated patch of nebulosity.

M 79LepusGlobular Cluster9:20pm CST
NGC 1904RA: 05h 24m 11sDec: -24=B0 31'Mag: 7.7

This globular was extremely faint. With averted vision, I was able to detect a faint, almost stellar patch of light in the right location.

M 48HydraOpen Cluster9:25pm CST
NGC 2548RA: 08h 13m 44sDec: -05=B0 45'Mag: 5.8

With direct vision, this cluster appeared as a round splotch of light. Using averted vision, several faint stars came into view.

M 93PuppisOpen Cluster9:30pm CST
NGC 2447RA: 07h 44m 30sDec: -23=B0 51'Mag: 6.2

This cluster was a fairly bright smudge, and no individual stars could be resolved. With averted vision, a few stars could be seen.

M 50MonocerosOpen Cluster10:05pm CST
NGC 2323RA: 07h 02m 45sDec: -08=B0 23'Mag: 5.9

This cluster was round, with perhaps four or five stars visible with direct vision. A few more stars became visible with averted vision.

M 67CancerOpen Cluster10:10pm CST
NGC 2682RA: 08h 51m 24sDec: +11=B0 49'Mag: 6.9

This cluster appeared as an oblong fuzzy patch, with two or three stars visible with averted vision.

M 81Ursa MajorSpiral Galaxy10:30pm CST
NGC 3031RA: 09h 55m 34sDec: +69=B0 04'Mag: 7.9

This galaxy appeared as a faint, elliptical fuzzy patch. The best view came with averted vision.

M 82Ursa MajorIrregular Galaxy10:35pm CST
NGC 3034RA: 09h 55m 54sDec: +69=B0 41'Mag: 9.3

This galaxy appeared elongated and smaller than M81.

It felt really good to be back under the stars again, and finishing off my binocular list was the icing on the cake.

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Posted on sf-bay-tac Sat Jan 24 17:11:16 2004 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.0 Sun Jan 25 08:53:29 2004 PT