Southern skies

by Darrell Lee

I spent last night at the Magellan Observatory in New South Wales, Australia with their JMI NGT-18 scope. I'd seen the splendors of the southern Milky Way last week in the state of South Australia. Eta Carinae Nebula is a super impressive sight even in an 80 mm. refractor. Seen through the 18" reflector, it's even more magnificent. Ditto NGC2070, the Tarantula Nebula. The Homunculus Nebula surrounding the star Eta Carinae surprised me, as it disappeared with an OIII filter, but was quite visible without one.

Naked eye, the Coalsack, Southern Cross, LMC and SMC were easily visible. I got 47 Tucanae in my refractor, which was a good thing, as it was too low for the NGT-18, whose southern view is partially blocked by other buildings on the observatory property. I had only two nights booked at the observatory. We got in really late (11 p.m.) the first night, but didn't lose any viewing, as clouds socked in all night. Last night was excellent, and I spent most of it on southern globulars. Anyone planning a visit in late fall or winter should be aware that Magellan Observatory is at about 2500' elevation, and temperatures last night dropped below freezing. Sky Quality Meter reading was 21.40. I suspect it would have been higher if that pesky Milky Way hadn't been up there brightening the sky.

Posted on tac-sac May 22, 2006 02:16:31 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.4 Jul 19, 2006 11:34:41 PT

Observing Reports	Observing Sites	GSSP 2010, July 10 - 14 Frosty Acres Ranch Adin, CA OMG! Its full of stars. Golden State Star Party	Join Mailing List	Mailing List Archives
Current Observing Intents Click here for more details.