Coe Observing, Sat, Mar 17, 2001

by William G. Schultz

Last week I developed a medical condition which had significant negative effects on my hearing, equilibrium and left my face temporarily paralyzed. I suspect my instinct to herd was unaffected and I did wish to attend the gathering at Dino. If in the cold and at altitude my condition took a turn for the worse I wanted to stay as close to home and medical care as possible. Reluctantly my choice was to leave for Henry Coe State Park. Feeling reasonably good that night, I departed home after dark (note: my wife thought I was insane for venturing out!).

The conditions while on southbound 101 appeared encouraging. The hair of Coma Berineces, the small right angle of Canes Venatici. Maybe good things were coming!

The hill climb showed a minor temperature inversion: temps at the bottom of the hill were 4 degrees cooler. The summit conditions at 20:30 were most pleasant: 57 deg; a moist 67% RH. The sky was steady and the wind was dead calm. There were 3 other observers/astrophotographers. I needed no heavy clothing. My suspicion was that dew would be a problem later in the evening as temps dropped.

Early on, conditions were exceptional. I operated near the limit of my OTA until past 23:00. Dew began to appear in the valleys, and a slight film began to appear on my corrector plate at about 23:30. RH increased to past 90%. At midnight all got worse.; and 00:30, RH increased to 95% and it was time to break down and head home. Still, I have not purchased my dew heater and battery. Maybe next time!

My prime targets were Herschel 1 objects; OTA was CG-11 SCT. Objects logged during the short evening:

4218, Draco; 01:12:09; 68d:46min; gal; mag 13; SA0: sp, ESE of 4 Draconis; viewed at 80X, 165x & 380x; bright nucleus. [Last time out I tried for an hour to find this object, but murky skies kept this object hidden.] I used 4218 as a jumping off point for what has been an elusive target of late

4217, Camelopardalis; 0:12:08; 76d:48m; gal; just 8 degrees N of 4218); mag 12.7; ft small; elongated NW/SE; spotted at 140X; no supporting references on galaxy type

4250, Draco; 0:12:17; 70d:48m; gal; mag 13; SAB(r)0+; v ft; small; observed at 167x & 267x; NW of 5 Draconis

4291, Draco; 0:12:20; 75d:22m; gal; mag 13; E1; paired beautifully with 4319 at 80X

4319, Draco; 0:12:22; 75d:19m; gal; mag 13; SB (r) AB; observed at 80x, thru 267x; core quite visible at higher mags; perfect jump-off point for Quasar Mk-205

Markarian 205; 12:21.7; 75d:19m; quasar; mag 14.5v; located just south of and possibly bridged to 4319. A fairly easy target for the 10" sct. Questions exist regarding relationship of red shift to supposed distance and luminosity; equal to 330 billion suns? The object was faint and purely starlike, still quite fascinating! I shared this view with all others observing at the site.

4386, Draco; 0:12:24; 75d:32m; gal; mag 13; SAB0; N & E of 4319; spotted at 80X and observed at 165X; about as bright as 4291

4216, Virgo, 0:12:16; 13d:09m; gal; mag 10; SAB(s)b:II; gorgeous elongated spindle; *brightest* object of the night; found at center within two fainter spindles, 4206 & 4222 (in adjacent Coma Berenices); observed at 80x thru 311x. Clearly a pleasure to observe.

4303, Virgo, 0:12:22; 4d:28m; gal; mag 10.5; Messier 61; fairly bright, even through dew filmed corrector. 80X; could not see companion 4303A; better luck next time!

Non-Herschel-1 target list sightings:

4133, Draco, 12:08.06; 74d; 56m; gal; mag 12.3; SABb; fairly bright; roundish; N of 6th mag star which in turn is N of DK Draconos. Observed at 80X and 165X.

4178, Virgo, 12:12.8; 10d:52m; gal; mag 11.4; SBc II:; faintish size, N of 12 Virginis; leading to stepping-stone-stars up to 4206

4189 Virgo, 12:13.8; 13d:26m; gal; mag 11.7; Sc II; faint SB; good size; in group with 4193; 4216; 4206 & 4193; 80X

4193 Virgo, 12:13.9; 13d:10m; gal; mag 12.3; SAB(s)c:? III; faint; sl elongated; in group with 4189; 4216; 4206 & 4168; observed at 80X.

4206 Virgo, 12:15.3; +13d:02m; gal; mag 12.2; Sb+; ft; brt nuc; elongated; N of 12 Virginis; in same 80X FOV with brighter 4216 and fainter 4222; 80X & 165X.

4222 Virgo, v ft spindle, to NE of 4216, in same FOV with 4216 & 4206; 80X & 165X.

4289, Virgo, gal N and slightly E of 16 Virginis; gal, mag ~13?; ft; on way up to M61. 80X, V faint