| Visual Observations An Observing Log, with written comments augmented with either film images, CCD images, or Digital Sky Survey Images. |
6/23/04:3:00 A.M., CDT. A super night!
Limiting magnitude, 6.2 at zenith! Since
it was so transparent, I decided to try
for this very faint galaxy group in
Aquarius. To my delight, they WERE
visible (but required averted vision).
This trio forms a compact group which
angles from NE to SW. All three
galaxies are 14th mag. and are VERY
faint! From north to south they are:
NGC-6978, 6977, and 6966. 6978 is
lens-shaped, oriented NW to SE, and
is about 1.5' X .5' 6977 is slightly oval
and is just over 1' dia. 6976 is the
smallest. This group is also called
Hickson 88. Observed at 140X (20mm
Nagler Type 2.) Image courtesy of
Digital Sky Survey.
Limiting magnitude, 6.2 at zenith! Since
it was so transparent, I decided to try
for this very faint galaxy group in
Aquarius. To my delight, they WERE
visible (but required averted vision).
This trio forms a compact group which
angles from NE to SW. All three
galaxies are 14th mag. and are VERY
faint! From north to south they are:
NGC-6978, 6977, and 6966. 6978 is
lens-shaped, oriented NW to SE, and
is about 1.5' X .5' 6977 is slightly oval
and is just over 1' dia. 6976 is the
smallest. This group is also called
Hickson 88. Observed at 140X (20mm
Nagler Type 2.) Image courtesy of
Digital Sky Survey.
7/19/04: 2:30 A.M., CDT, Using C-11
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed emission
nebula NGC-7635 in Cassiopeia, which
is located just SW of M-52. This is a
VERY faint nebula...the only portion
observed was centered on the star that
forms the north apex of a flat triangle
of 3 stars. Appears to be about 5 to 6
arc-minutes in extent. This nebula is
often called the Bubble Nebula. Image
courtesy of Digital Sky Survey.
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed emission
nebula NGC-7635 in Cassiopeia, which
is located just SW of M-52. This is a
VERY faint nebula...the only portion
observed was centered on the star that
forms the north apex of a flat triangle
of 3 stars. Appears to be about 5 to 6
arc-minutes in extent. This nebula is
often called the Bubble Nebula. Image
courtesy of Digital Sky Survey.
8/15/04: 2:10 A.M., CDT, Using C-11
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed supernova
remnant NGC-6960, the Veil Nebula in
Cygnus. Transparency is extremely
good tonight, and with the Oxygen III
filter, this western arc of the Veil
stands out very clearly. Much
filamentary detail is seen, both in the
arc above the star 52 Cygni and below
it in the broader portion of the nebula.
The two smaller patches of nebulosity
which lie between 6960 and the
eastern portion (NGC-6992) were also
clearly seen. Beautiful! Image courtesy
of STScI Digital Sky Survey (DSS).
with 31mm Nagler Type 5 & Lumicon
O-III Filter (90X): Observed supernova
remnant NGC-6960, the Veil Nebula in
Cygnus. Transparency is extremely
good tonight, and with the Oxygen III
filter, this western arc of the Veil
stands out very clearly. Much
filamentary detail is seen, both in the
arc above the star 52 Cygni and below
it in the broader portion of the nebula.
The two smaller patches of nebulosity
which lie between 6960 and the
eastern portion (NGC-6992) were also
clearly seen. Beautiful! Image courtesy
of STScI Digital Sky Survey (DSS).
11/6/04: 9:30 P.M.,CST: Observed
the Pegasus I Galaxy Group using
the 11-inch Celestron with 31mm
TeleVue Nagler Type 5 (90X): In the
photo below, the bright galaxy in the
center of the group is NGC-7619, an
11th magnitude elliptical galaxy.
About 9 arcminutes to the east (left)
is NGC-7626, another 11th mag.
elliptical. These two galaxies are the
brightest members of the big
Pegasus I cluster. About 12
arcminutes further east (left) is the
lens-shaped spiral galaxy,
NGC-7631. Visually, it is quite a bit
fainter than the two bright ellipticals.
North (up) of the 7619-7626 pair is
NGC-7623. To the SW of NGC 7619
are two fainter galaxies, NGC 7617
(very faint) and further on is
NGC-7611 (the brightest of the two).
These six galaxies are visible in the
same field thru the C-11. With my
18.5-inch f/4.5 newtonian, many more
galaxies are visible. Photo courtesy
of Digital Sky Survey.
the Pegasus I Galaxy Group using
the 11-inch Celestron with 31mm
TeleVue Nagler Type 5 (90X): In the
photo below, the bright galaxy in the
center of the group is NGC-7619, an
11th magnitude elliptical galaxy.
About 9 arcminutes to the east (left)
is NGC-7626, another 11th mag.
elliptical. These two galaxies are the
brightest members of the big
Pegasus I cluster. About 12
arcminutes further east (left) is the
lens-shaped spiral galaxy,
NGC-7631. Visually, it is quite a bit
fainter than the two bright ellipticals.
North (up) of the 7619-7626 pair is
NGC-7623. To the SW of NGC 7619
are two fainter galaxies, NGC 7617
(very faint) and further on is
NGC-7611 (the brightest of the two).
These six galaxies are visible in the
same field thru the C-11. With my
18.5-inch f/4.5 newtonian, many more
galaxies are visible. Photo courtesy
of Digital Sky Survey.
4/13/05: Another SUPER night at Oz!
One of my best observations for the
night was the compact galaxy group
Hickson 56. This elusive object lies
just a few arcminutes south of galaxy
NGC-3718 in Ursa Major. In the Digital
Sky Survey photo at the right, it can be
seen as a compact group of 5 tiny
galaxies in a space only 2.5
arcminutes in extent. This field also
shows tremendous depth of field,
because the galaxies in Hickson 56 lie
at a distance 50 times greater than
NGC-3718.
Using the 16mm Nagler eyepiece
(175X) and averted vision, I was able
to pick out the nucleii of the three
brightest members of Hickson 56. This
group is one of the target items in the
A.L. Galaxy Groups & Clusters
Program. Photo courtesy of Digital Sky
Survey.
One of my best observations for the
night was the compact galaxy group
Hickson 56. This elusive object lies
just a few arcminutes south of galaxy
NGC-3718 in Ursa Major. In the Digital
Sky Survey photo at the right, it can be
seen as a compact group of 5 tiny
galaxies in a space only 2.5
arcminutes in extent. This field also
shows tremendous depth of field,
because the galaxies in Hickson 56 lie
at a distance 50 times greater than
NGC-3718.
Using the 16mm Nagler eyepiece
(175X) and averted vision, I was able
to pick out the nucleii of the three
brightest members of Hickson 56. This
group is one of the target items in the
A.L. Galaxy Groups & Clusters
Program. Photo courtesy of Digital Sky
Survey.
1/24/06: While observing NGC
galaxies in Eridanus, I came across
this very interesting group of four
galaxies. From north (top) to south
(bottom) the galaxies are: NGC-1323,
NGC-1322, NGC-1321, and NGC-1320.
I observed this group using the Tele
Vue 20mm Nagler Type II, which gives
a magnification of 140X thru the C-11.
The brightest galaxy in the group is
NGC-1321, a small elliptical galaxy
which, though listed as 14th mag., is
the easiest of the group to see, due
to the fact that it has a very bright
core. Just south of it is the lens-shaped
spiral galaxy NGC-1320, also listed
at 14th magnitude, but appearing
fainter, due to the fact that is is more
extended, about 2' X .7', from NE to
SW. About 10 arcmin. north of this
pair lies NGC-1322, which is 14.5
magnitude and only 1/2 arcminute
in extent. The northernmost of the
four galaxies is NGC-1323, which is
also the smallest and dimmest of the
group. It required averted vision to
see well, and is located about 1/2
arcminute NE of a 13.5 mag. star.
All of these galaxies are visible in
the same field using the 20mm Nagler
eyepiece. Photo courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey.
galaxies in Eridanus, I came across
this very interesting group of four
galaxies. From north (top) to south
(bottom) the galaxies are: NGC-1323,
NGC-1322, NGC-1321, and NGC-1320.
I observed this group using the Tele
Vue 20mm Nagler Type II, which gives
a magnification of 140X thru the C-11.
The brightest galaxy in the group is
NGC-1321, a small elliptical galaxy
which, though listed as 14th mag., is
the easiest of the group to see, due
to the fact that it has a very bright
core. Just south of it is the lens-shaped
spiral galaxy NGC-1320, also listed
at 14th magnitude, but appearing
fainter, due to the fact that is is more
extended, about 2' X .7', from NE to
SW. About 10 arcmin. north of this
pair lies NGC-1322, which is 14.5
magnitude and only 1/2 arcminute
in extent. The northernmost of the
four galaxies is NGC-1323, which is
also the smallest and dimmest of the
group. It required averted vision to
see well, and is located about 1/2
arcminute NE of a 13.5 mag. star.
All of these galaxies are visible in
the same field using the 20mm Nagler
eyepiece. Photo courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey.
2/22/06: Succeeded in making a
visual observation of the new
supernova (2006X) in the spiral
galaxy M-100 (NGC-4321) in Coma
Berenices. Using the C-11 at 140X
(20mm Nagler II) the supernova
flitted in and out of view with direct
vision, but could be held steadily
with averted vision. It appeared to
be about half a magnitude fainter
than the two stars that frame it, one
at the WSW edge of the galaxy and
the other at the ESE edge of the
galaxy. The faint spiral arm that
curves just south of the super nova
was clearly seen. The image of
2006X to the right was taken by my
friend, Dave Hudgins at his
Starbase Observatory in Overland
Park, Kansas, using a Meade 10"
LX200 and an SBIG ST-7 CCD
camera. (copyright 2006, David
Hudgins). For reference purposes, I
have also included a picture of
M-100 which was taken prior to the
supernova by another friend, Bob
Koch, of Faribault, Minnesota, using
a 12-inch Meade LX200 and a
Meade DSI ccd imager. (copyright
2006, Bob Koch.)
visual observation of the new
supernova (2006X) in the spiral
galaxy M-100 (NGC-4321) in Coma
Berenices. Using the C-11 at 140X
(20mm Nagler II) the supernova
flitted in and out of view with direct
vision, but could be held steadily
with averted vision. It appeared to
be about half a magnitude fainter
than the two stars that frame it, one
at the WSW edge of the galaxy and
the other at the ESE edge of the
galaxy. The faint spiral arm that
curves just south of the super nova
was clearly seen. The image of
2006X to the right was taken by my
friend, Dave Hudgins at his
Starbase Observatory in Overland
Park, Kansas, using a Meade 10"
LX200 and an SBIG ST-7 CCD
camera. (copyright 2006, David
Hudgins). For reference purposes, I
have also included a picture of
M-100 which was taken prior to the
supernova by another friend, Bob
Koch, of Faribault, Minnesota, using
a 12-inch Meade LX200 and a
Meade DSI ccd imager. (copyright
2006, Bob Koch.)
7/23/06: Observed this very interesting
galaxy group in Serpens Caput. These
three galaxies provide a great study in
visual contrast. The galaxies in the
upper left hand corner of the image
are NGC-5954 (left) and NGC-5953
(right). The galaxy to the lower right
hand corner is NGC-5951. All three
are spirals. 5953 and 5954 are almost
in contact. Although 5954 is larger,
5953 stands out better due to its bright
concentrated core. NGC-5951 is the
most elusive of the three, but is quite
striking due to its extended nature. It
appears as a very faint sliver of even
surface brightness. All three fit in the
field of the 140X 20mm Nagler
eyepiece. Photo courtesy of Digital Sky
Survey.
galaxy group in Serpens Caput. These
three galaxies provide a great study in
visual contrast. The galaxies in the
upper left hand corner of the image
are NGC-5954 (left) and NGC-5953
(right). The galaxy to the lower right
hand corner is NGC-5951. All three
are spirals. 5953 and 5954 are almost
in contact. Although 5954 is larger,
5953 stands out better due to its bright
concentrated core. NGC-5951 is the
most elusive of the three, but is quite
striking due to its extended nature. It
appears as a very faint sliver of even
surface brightness. All three fit in the
field of the 140X 20mm Nagler
eyepiece. Photo courtesy of Digital Sky
Survey.
8/24/06: At 4:10 a.m. CDT, observed
this faint galaxy trio in Andromeda. This
is the NGC-48 group. From left (east)
to right (west), the galaxies are:
NGC-51 (the brightest of the group)
NGC-49, and NGC-48. NGC-51 lies
approximately 2 arcminutes NE of an
approximately 10.5 magnitude star.
NGC-49 lies approximately 2 arcmin-
utes NW of the same star, and NGC
48 lies approximately 4 arcminutes
WSW of NGC-49. NGC-48 has the
lowest surface brightness of the three,
and is just barely visible using averted
vision. All three are small and faint.
This group is one of the targets of the
Astronomical League's "Galaxy Groups
and Clusters" program.
Photo courtesy of Digital Sky Survey.
this faint galaxy trio in Andromeda. This
is the NGC-48 group. From left (east)
to right (west), the galaxies are:
NGC-51 (the brightest of the group)
NGC-49, and NGC-48. NGC-51 lies
approximately 2 arcminutes NE of an
approximately 10.5 magnitude star.
NGC-49 lies approximately 2 arcmin-
utes NW of the same star, and NGC
48 lies approximately 4 arcminutes
WSW of NGC-49. NGC-48 has the
lowest surface brightness of the three,
and is just barely visible using averted
vision. All three are small and faint.
This group is one of the targets of the
Astronomical League's "Galaxy Groups
and Clusters" program.
Photo courtesy of Digital Sky Survey.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
4/19/07: At 12:20AM, Observed this very
faint group of galaxies in Leo. The bright-
est member of the group is the inclined
spiral galaxy NGC-2929, which is the
southern-most galaxy in the group (center
of photo). NGC-2929 is 14th magnitude
and is approximately 1 X 1/2 arcminutes in
size, inclined from northwest to southeast.
Through the C-11 at 233X (12mm Nagler)
it appears as a faint amorphous oval
smudge of light, which requires averted
vision to see well. The 7.5 magnitude star
SAO80931 lies 1/2 field to the SW (lower
right hand corner of photo). Only one
other member of this faint group was seen,
NGC-2931, which is the middle member of
the group, just 3 arcminutes north of 2929.
It is small (about 1/2 armin. diameter) very
faint, round, with even surface brightness.
This is one of the galaxy groups included in
the Astronomical League's "Galaxy Groups
and Clusters" observing program, of which
I have completed about 2/3 of the obser-
vations. Image courtesy of the Digital Sky
Survey.
faint group of galaxies in Leo. The bright-
est member of the group is the inclined
spiral galaxy NGC-2929, which is the
southern-most galaxy in the group (center
of photo). NGC-2929 is 14th magnitude
and is approximately 1 X 1/2 arcminutes in
size, inclined from northwest to southeast.
Through the C-11 at 233X (12mm Nagler)
it appears as a faint amorphous oval
smudge of light, which requires averted
vision to see well. The 7.5 magnitude star
SAO80931 lies 1/2 field to the SW (lower
right hand corner of photo). Only one
other member of this faint group was seen,
NGC-2931, which is the middle member of
the group, just 3 arcminutes north of 2929.
It is small (about 1/2 armin. diameter) very
faint, round, with even surface brightness.
This is one of the galaxy groups included in
the Astronomical League's "Galaxy Groups
and Clusters" observing program, of which
I have completed about 2/3 of the obser-
vations. Image courtesy of the Digital Sky
Survey.
10/11/07: At 11:55PM, observed galaxy
group Hickson 7. The brightest member of
this group is the spiral galaxy NGC-192, a
lens-shaped galaxy which lies at the
lower right of this triangular group. It is
approximately 2 arcminutes by 1/2 arc-
minute in size and is 13.4 magnitude.
3 arcminutes to the NNE lies NGC-196,
a 13.8 magnitude spiral which is about
1.5 arcminutes in size. The faint galaxy
between them in the photo at right, NGC-
197, is 15th magnitude, and was not seen.
About 5 arcminutes to the east (left) of
NGC-192 is the face-on spiral NGC-201.
Visually it is large and diffuse and of even
surface brightness. NGC-192 is also
known as Hickson 7a, NGC-196 as 7b, and
NGC-201 as 7c. This group is one of the
targets in the Astronomical League's
Galaxy Groups & Clusters program. This
group was observed using the C-11 at
175X. Limiting magnitude tonight was 6.0.
Image courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey.
group Hickson 7. The brightest member of
this group is the spiral galaxy NGC-192, a
lens-shaped galaxy which lies at the
lower right of this triangular group. It is
approximately 2 arcminutes by 1/2 arc-
minute in size and is 13.4 magnitude.
3 arcminutes to the NNE lies NGC-196,
a 13.8 magnitude spiral which is about
1.5 arcminutes in size. The faint galaxy
between them in the photo at right, NGC-
197, is 15th magnitude, and was not seen.
About 5 arcminutes to the east (left) of
NGC-192 is the face-on spiral NGC-201.
Visually it is large and diffuse and of even
surface brightness. NGC-192 is also
known as Hickson 7a, NGC-196 as 7b, and
NGC-201 as 7c. This group is one of the
targets in the Astronomical League's
Galaxy Groups & Clusters program. This
group was observed using the C-11 at
175X. Limiting magnitude tonight was 6.0.
Image courtesy of the Digital Sky Survey.
10/12/07: At 1:00AM, Observed the
interesting group of galaxies pictured to
the right. This is the NGC-80 group in the
constellation of Andromeda. The brightest
member of the group is the SO-type spiral
galaxy NGC-80, which appears just below
and to the right (west) of the center of the
photo. Visually this galaxy appears round
with diffuse outer edges and a halo that
brightens suddenly to a compressed core.
It appears to be about 1.2 arcminutes in
diameter. About 5 arcminutes to the NE
(up and to the left) of NGC-80 is NGC-83,
a 13.5 magnitude elliptical galaxy. It is
smaller and fainter than NGC-80 and has
even surface brightness. About 7 arcmin-
utes due east (left) of NGC-83 lies NGC-93
an SO-type spiral. NGC-93 was the faintest
of three. The other galaxies in the photo
are 15th magnitude and fainter and were
not seen visually. Photo courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey.
interesting group of galaxies pictured to
the right. This is the NGC-80 group in the
constellation of Andromeda. The brightest
member of the group is the SO-type spiral
galaxy NGC-80, which appears just below
and to the right (west) of the center of the
photo. Visually this galaxy appears round
with diffuse outer edges and a halo that
brightens suddenly to a compressed core.
It appears to be about 1.2 arcminutes in
diameter. About 5 arcminutes to the NE
(up and to the left) of NGC-80 is NGC-83,
a 13.5 magnitude elliptical galaxy. It is
smaller and fainter than NGC-80 and has
even surface brightness. About 7 arcmin-
utes due east (left) of NGC-83 lies NGC-93
an SO-type spiral. NGC-93 was the faintest
of three. The other galaxies in the photo
are 15th magnitude and fainter and were
not seen visually. Photo courtesy of the
Digital Sky Survey.
6/1/08: During the first observing session
since receiving my factory overhauled
C-11 Telescope back from the Celestron
factory, I had the occasion to make a
detailed visual observation of NGC-3184,
a distant face-on spiral galaxy in the
constellation of Ursa Major. I observed the
galaxy at magnifications of 70X (40mm
TeleVue Wide-Field eyepiece) and 140X
(Televue 20mm Nagler). At 70X, the
bright star Mu Ursae Majoris, to the east,
has to be positioned out of the field for the
best view. At 70X it appears as a round
glow with faint outer envelope which
brightens gradually to a broad brighter
core. A 6.5 mag. star lies 11 arcminutes
to the WNW. At 140X, a faint, almost
stellar nucleus appears within the oval
core, and a 12th magnitude star twinkles
at the north edge of the outer haze, which
is uneven in brightness, indicating a hint
of two spiral arms. (Photo courtesy of the
Deep Sky Survey).
since receiving my factory overhauled
C-11 Telescope back from the Celestron
factory, I had the occasion to make a
detailed visual observation of NGC-3184,
a distant face-on spiral galaxy in the
constellation of Ursa Major. I observed the
galaxy at magnifications of 70X (40mm
TeleVue Wide-Field eyepiece) and 140X
(Televue 20mm Nagler). At 70X, the
bright star Mu Ursae Majoris, to the east,
has to be positioned out of the field for the
best view. At 70X it appears as a round
glow with faint outer envelope which
brightens gradually to a broad brighter
core. A 6.5 mag. star lies 11 arcminutes
to the WNW. At 140X, a faint, almost
stellar nucleus appears within the oval
core, and a 12th magnitude star twinkles
at the north edge of the outer haze, which
is uneven in brightness, indicating a hint
of two spiral arms. (Photo courtesy of the
Deep Sky Survey).