5/13/99 Observing FEAST!

by Peggy Bernard

5/13/99 Observing, South San Jose, conditions steady, sky glow moderate, moisture content high, background haze, temperature cool 50 degrees. Found detailed chart of area in Sky Atlas 2000, appendix B, Virgo, to help easily identify objects. 10" DOB.

Began about 2130 hours 5/13. Primary Target area Leo, Coma Berenices. Finished around 0030 hours 5/14.

NNNN=NGC OBJECT NUMBER

New objects:

• M85(4383+4394) FAINT
• 4293 (EDGE ON) FAINT, NEAR COMA BERENICES 11
• M100 (SEEMS FACE ON)
• DOUBLE 24 IN COMA BERENICES - split nicely but don't know separation
• M99
• M84
• M86
• 4435
• 4438
• M87
• M89 (FAINT)
• M90
• M58 (THINK I GOT IT BUT NOT ABSOLUTELY SURE ON CHART)

LYRA

• E LYRAE (DOUBLE DOUBLE, 2.8" AND 2.3" APART- DIFFICULT TO SPLIT EACH PAIR)
• M57 RING NEBULA-REAL NICE AT 104X. COULDN'T SEE CENTRAL STAR.

OLD STUFF

• MARS (SOME SURFACE MARKINGS AT 104x)

Tried but can't find:

• M109
• 4539

That's all folks.....Peggy

PS: As Jay Freeman says "Aperture WINS!" and it won tonight!!!!!