IHOP2 on 8/26-8/27

by Dan

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My new 10x50 binoculars performed admirably, and I was able to enjoy many Messier objects as I work towards completing the requirements for the Astronomical League's Binocular Messier certificate. Over the course of the evening, we hit the following objects:

M4 -- Visble as a discrete cottonball of brightness, but not terribly impressive.

M6 -- Visible in the same field of view as M7, and gorgeous together.

M7 -- Much more impressive than M6; probably my favorite through my binoculars for the evening.

M8 -- On the edge of my vision naked-eye. Incredible.

M11 -- The "Flying Greater-Than Symbol" in Randy's scope. An undistinct glowing cottonball in my binoculars.

M13 -- Randy, thanks for showing me how to locate this cluster. An incredible treat in your eyepiece. Not at all impressive in the 10x50s. Barely on the edge of my naked-eye vision; harder than M8 but still possible.

M16 -- The open-cluster component was obvious, with hints of nebulosity. Visisble in the same field of view as M17.

M17 -- A small area of diffuse nebulosity. Gorgeous through Randy's scope, as always. This is Renee's favorite.

M20 -- Overshadowed by M8, but visible as an open cluster with some nebulosity.

M22 -- The best looking globular cluster of the evening (through my binoculars). A distinct globe of hazy brightness.

M25 -- A beautiful somewhat diffuse open cluster.

M31 -- Easily visible naked-eye. Filled a good portion of my field of view in the 10x50s.

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Other notables: I had trouble picking out the Jovian satellites in the 10x50s. Renee said that she could do it in the 7x50s, but her vision is much better than mine.

Barnard's "E" was eerie. Thanks for showing me how to find it Matt! Renee and I also loved that blue/gold binary system that you showed us before we left.

Alberio was dramatic in Randy's scope. The double-double was difficult but apparent in Randy's scope as the seeing deteriorated later in the evening. Mu Cephei was great (thanks for showing me how to find it Randy).