Photons Return!

Great to see the sky again. How I have missed it. After the rainiest season in recorded bay area meteorological history, it was great to see a blown forecast result in clear in-town skies! How fun to observe from one's own backyard!

It was a clear and sunny day in Los Gatos. I pulled out my little scope, the 8" f/6.75 Dob, and placed a 5" solar filter over the aperture. I expected the skies to cloud up for the forecast drizzle that evening, so I decided to do some solar viewing. The face of Sol was clear, except for a few blemishes slightly off the center of the disk. One nice pair, and several smaller spots more away from center, trailing off toward the limb. Glad to get in some observing! So, I walked back in my house to do more work, thinking that my eyes had gathered all the telescopic photons they would until the weekend.

Wrong.

Evening began to set in as the puffy clouds dispersed. By 9 p.m., when the sky was becoming dark, there was nothing but clear overhead. While working during the day, as I waited for programs to complete running, I continued printing Uranometria-like charts from Software Bisque's _The_Sky_. I now had 200 charts in a binder, and thought they might work better for me than the HB AstroAtlas. Not that the HB is bad, it is quite a good set of charts, but Urano, combined with Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000 had a special application for my observing program.

Back in the house, called up the freeware program NGP to print out a list of mag 10 and brighter object, which I hoped would all be visible in my backyard. The NGP program's "quick list" printout shows NGC#, R.A., Dec., Mag., Type, Constellation, Tirion, Uranometria, Size and class. So, my Tirion and Urano type charts would make a nice combination of wide views (Tirion) and close views (Urano).

I had sorted my list alphabetically by constellation, and then in descending order of magnitude. Mags in NGP are approximate, done in half-mag steps.

Outside, I put in my trusty old 35mm Ultrascopic. This would be different for me, after using my 19 Panoptic exclusively for the last year. But change is good, right? This combination would have me viewing at 40X.

First on my list was Canes Venatici, and NGC5272, AKA M3. No charts needed here. Bingo.... in the eyepiece. Mag 6.4 no problem, but none expected. Nice view, sprinkling of stars condensing evenly to the core. Now up to NGC4258 (M106) at mag 8.3 and found by hopping from Gamma (Phecda) in UrsaM to SAO 44127 (mag 5.6). M106 was an easy sweep from there. No problem finding this one.

I was wondering what my limiting magnitude was. I now know my backyard will get me down to at least mag 5.6, so I am not too unhappy for a location in the burbs.

Still in Canes Ven, my next target was NGC4736 (M94). Located just toward the handle of the Dipper, roughly from the mid-point between Cor Caroli (Alpha) and Chara (Beta) and in Canes Ven, this target is almost too easy. More challenge is more fun, but the galaxy was nice to see, glowing there, in the bright sky, at mag 8.2. Funny, but NGP shows this at mag 9.5. Who can tell me why there are such significant differences in mag between different sources?

Next, up to NGC4631. But wait! This NGC is not a Messier! Is it possible to see in town? Only one way to find out :-) Glowing dimly at mag 9.3, this beauty is there, for sure, even in town. It is elongated, and I think but cannot confirm that I may have viewed NGC4656 at mag 10.4, a nice elongated galaxy a short hop away from 4631. How did I find 4631? Star hopped from Cor Caroli to SAO 63070. It is an easy sweep about 1/3 the distance toward mag 5.1 SAO 63288, and you're roughly on NGC 4631. So neat! A for sure non-Messier and a probable.

Now the real fun starts. I'm down to the dims in CVn. NGC 5055, the Sunflower Galaxy also known as M63. What! NGP says mag 10 (or dimmer), _The_Sky_ says mag 8.19! Grumble grumble grumble. I wonder if the Millennium Star Atlas would be worth getting?

Anyway.... M63 was no problem to see. Draw a line between the end star in the Big Dipper's handle (Alkaid) and head in the direction of M51. Now, keep going until you find.... ha! Cor Caroli. Isn't that convenient (sounds like Dana Carvey there).... Now, a bit over 5 degrees back toward Alkaid and slightly away from the bowl of the dipper, M63 will be the only bright object you come across. Very nice sight!

Things were going really well about now. So, I decided to try my new observer's eye patch. After a bit of feeling silly (sillier) at looking like a pirate at a cannon in my own backyard, I became accustomed to the patch, and began enjoying the sensation of observing with both eyes open. I can see how this is effective in relaxing the observing eye. So sorry if I look like Long John Silver at star parties from now on, but if you get one of these inexpensive observing aids, I think you'll join the pirate crew too!

On next to an object that a few people on sci.astro.amateur said yesterday either could not be seen from suburbia, or looked like two dots. NGC 5194, M51. No chart necessary here. On it in a jiffy (lots of practice). Not only were the "dots" visible, but M51 clearly had lots of "disk" around it. I could not distinguish structure in the spiral, but the haze of the arms was definite. Maybe the doubters need to move or improve their observing techniques. :-)

Now I was one eyed, there in the clear cool night, and having a Mexican Coffee. What could be better? ARrrrrghhhh Matey!!!! Avast ye lubbers, we're after booty here.... your photons or yer lives! ;-)

It was now time to leave the friendly hunting dogs and move to the rich and luxurious locks of queen Bernice. Coma Berenices was high overhead by now. It was almost 11 p.m., and still quite pleasant outside. The first target in Coma was NGC 5024, a globular cluster aka M53. NGP says it is mag 8.5, _The_Sky puts it at 7.7. Whatever. It is not well resolvable at 40X, and is noticeably dimmer than M3. It is easy to find by drawing an imaginary line from Arcturus (Alpha) through it's close neighbor Murphid (Eta), and continuing that line until you bisect two stars of mag 4.5 (the lower) and mag 5.5. These stars are not quite twice the distance out beyond Arcturus and Murphid. The mag 5.5 star is certainly there naked eye, but it takes a bit of looking to see it. M53 is just off this mag 5.5 star (SAO 100443), just under a degree back toward Bootes. While there, I worked and worked and worked to see NGC5053, a dim globular near M53. It took some time, but thanks to the detail on my new Urano-like charts, I was able to find a star pattern that was recognizable and pointed at the right spot. There it was, glowing dimly at mag 9.8, 5053. That was a highlight of the night!

Off to NGC 4826. This is a mag 9 galaxy also known as M64, or the Blackeye Galaxy. It is located off SAO 82550, a mag 5.1 star that continues a line toward the Coma cluster from the mag 4.5 and 5.5 stars that I used to find M53. The Blackeye Galaxy was easy to find, and to see. I believe there were even hints of mottling, where the shiner should be.

The last object in Coma was NGC4725. I used SAO 82550, which is near M64, and naked eye found SAO 82537 (mag 5.1) and its close neighbor SAO 82515 (mag 5.8). NGC4725 is 1/3 of the distance from the pair of stars toward our M64 finder star. This galaxy is dim and elongated, but there, detectable at mag 9.1.

I finished the evening jumping into Hercules. I had another "Coffee" by now, and was very relaxed and already satisfied with what I could see from in town. I am quite sure that there would be a good number of non-Messier NGC's at about mag 10 and under that would be observable from my backyard. But, back to Herc.

I had a peek at both M13 and M92, both on my list. These are so easy they are hardly worth mentioning as "finds".... but still, the difference in appearance in an 8" scope was dramatic. M13 was gorgeous, many stars resolved with what appeared to me to be fairly even distribution throughout the cluster. M92 was, by contrast, very condensed at its core, with faint stars toward the outside of the cluster. M92 was almost stellar at the core, with its brightness dropping off rapidly. I also looked for NGC6207 by M13, but, not using a chart and at mag 12.6, no way! But I had to try.

And that's the moral of in town observing. You *have to try*. It is surprising what can be seen. And it sure is more enjoyable than looking at the computer or watching the late news.

My final thought as I packed the scope into the garage, very satisfied.... how good to have the Photon's Return!

See you all at the Peak this weekend!

Montebello & Messiers

Last night (4/29) a small group comprising of Rich Neuschaefer, Marsha Robinson, David Kingsley and myself arrived at a breezy Montebello to do some mid-week observing. The wind was a concern from the moment I arrived. Rich was already there, with his 6.1" AP solar filtered and looking at a very nice sunspot. Great detail in that scope! Marsha was there, and David arrived shortly before sunset.

I had brought two scopes, intending to loan Marsha the 10" f/5.6, and use the 14.5" f/5.6 myself. David had set up with an Orion Shorttube 80. There were an uncharacteristicly large number of cars in the parking lot, but nobody in sight. Rich said there were a lot of hikers. And he was right. Just as the sky was beginning to darken after the sun set, perhaps a couple dozen people appeared on the trail at the southeast end of the parking lot, and quickly gathered around the telescopes. It was an impromptu public star party. Turns out this was a Sierra Club hike, and their members were very impressed by the telescopes and view of the (unsteady) moon. The ranger came by and finally broke up the party, otherwise they would have stayed longer.

By the time it was dark, the wind had stopped. All things considered, we had a pretty good sky! I saw little to indicate there was much smoke in the atmosphere, and the stars were fairly steady. I don't think anyone except Marsha had a goal for the night. So, Rich and I joined her in hunting the Messiers.

The list called for M94 to be the first object du jour. This is a nice face on spiral in Canes Venatici, located just toward Ursa Major about midway between Cor Coroli (Alpha) and Chara (Beta). The galaxy has a very bright core, which showed well in the 10", 14.5" and 6". Marsha determined she was having difficulty using the Rigel Quickfinder on the 10", and, since I hadn't used that scope in months, I offered her the 14.5". The Telrad on the 14.5 made all the difference for her. I wish I could figure out exactly what works so well with a Telrad compared to a Quickfinder.

Next, we moved to M63, the Sunflower Galaxy, also in Canes Venatici, just toward the bowl of the Big Dipper from SAO 44549, a mag 4.7 star that was easily visible for me, but more difficult for Rich and Marsha (gee, not really very transparent, was it!). This one was in the eyepiece when I looked. It is *sooooo* much fun when that happens (especially with 14 mag Herschels!).... Rich was on this galaxy quickly too. The AP was really doing nicely on deep sky object. Perhaps I can persuade him to start the Herschel's too! Marsha was having trouble finding the mag 4.7 SAO, so it took some time to get the M object. In fact, I looked through the Telrad and kind of guided her. She saw it, the swung the scope away from the location. After studying the sky again for a short time, she swung the scope back and landed right on the Sunflower. I like that she only checks these off when *she* finds them, herself.

Next on the list was a little thing called M51. Still in Canes Venatici, it is an easy find for those who've been around for a while. Rich and I each have different approaches to this object. He comes off Alcor/Mizar and Alkaid (the end star in the Big Dipper's handle), making a right angle out to M51. I use Alkaid and a mag 5.1 star, SAO 44566, to make a little almost equallateral triangle, with M51 being where the "missing" star should be. If you have not looked for the mag 5.1 star I refer to, go to the midpoint between Alcor/Mizar and Alkaid, then just over half the distance between them toward Canes Venatici. M51 will form a right angle with the mag 5.1 star and Alkaid. I found it with a 12 mm Nagler. Marsha had no trouble finding this one. Rich was already looking for the next one.

In between all the Messiers, David was busy evaluating his new Shorttube. I found it to be a very acceptable portable telescope. I was lending him eyepieces, and got a gorgeous view of M67 and M44 through a 19 Panoptic. Nice telescope... wouldn't mind owning one myself!

But, back to the quarry. Next on the list was M101. I knew this could be trouble. Marsha wanted to go right to it, but I advised waiting for a dark sky. Just then, Rich said he had it in the 6" AP. David looked. I don't know that he saw it. Marsha looked and I think she asked "where is it", I looked and, cupping my hands to block extraneous light, and wishing for an observing hood, or just a large cape to pull over myself, I could just detect a dim brightening in the field. Marsha tried for it in the 14.5. I tried for it in the same scope. Rich found it immediately in the 14.5". Do not let his finder scopes fool you... Rich is a deep sky barracuda. I think Marsha will not consider M101 "hers" until she finds it herself.

We were having such a good time, I didn't want to look at the clock in my truck. So, we kept on going. Rich was already on the next object, which was M3. This one resolved beautifully in the 10" and 14.5". In fact, we must have had a few minutes of sparkling transparency, because these were some of the most enjoyable views I have ever had of the object. Stars popping out to the core, pinpoints, tight at the center, diffusing out to stringers at the edges. If I could have only one type of object to look at, the oldies but goodies globulars would be a likely the choice. We all found M3 easily. Check another one off the list. It is actually fun to revisit the big and bright objects!

Next object was M53. This is a nice globular, but not spectacular like M3, M13, M22, M5, or even some of the lesser visited ones like M92, M10, M12, M2... still, it is worth a visit and a check mark in the observing log. Marsha is quickly gaining experience and ability as a naked eye star hopper. We looked for a couple minutes at the line described between Arcturus and it's close neighbor Murphid (Eta Bootis). If one follows that line, you will eventually come close to the brightest star in Coma Berenices (Alpha). M53 is just a tick back toward Arcturus from there. We were all on that one quickly too.

Now things were about to get tricky. The next hop was to Coma, to find M98, M99 and M100. I was able to quickly identify all three, since I had looked at them just a week prior. Rich did well, finding M98 easily, but Marsha needs some better charts to know exactly where to look. These galaxies are at the shallow end of the great Coma/Virgo deep sky galaxy clusters. The next step for Marsha is into the deep end.

The hour was now close to 11 p.m., and some of us had to be up before 6 a.m., so it was time to pack it in. Just as Marsha drove off, Rich and I noticed the fog rolling in toward us. In 15 minutes, there was no moon even though it had not set, and there were few stars. The scopes were quickly either completely stowed, or torn down to such a degree that it didn't make sense to set back up when the fog suddenly disappeared.

Looking around, it was quite dark. The fog must have settled into the valleys and over the cities. Up top, Ursa Major shined in clear, dark and what appeared to be transparent skies.

It was a fine night. I need to get to Montebello more often.

Bright Night at Fremont Peak...

It was a dark and stormy night....

Oops.... scratch that. That was February 1998. This night, April 25, 1998, was completely different. So, I will start again.

The day began under clear, well, sort of clear skies. Or was that high stuff up there? Whatever it was, it was not a blue sky. It was a whitish sky horizon to horizon. But, I was set to take my wife and son to Fremont Peak for their first trip up this year. Their participation was confirmed about mid-day Saturday, and along with them. As usual, when extra family is involved, we got a bit of a late start before finally heading down the highways south toward of destination.

The drive was easy, other than the usual bottle-neck where 101 south goes from 3 to 2 lanes. But then, it was pleasant and easy. I always enjoy the valley where Morgan Hill and Gilroy are located. The closeness of the green hills on either side, the short drive to Fremont Peak or the ocean makes it to me an ideal location in which to relocate. Maybe someday!

The Peak road was still showing signs of the dark and stormy February night, with plenty of sandy soil left on the road where it was washed out of the mountainside. But, it was scenic, relaxing, and under a bright white sky that extended all the was out to the horizon over the Pacific Ocean.

Upon arrival, we found Rich Neuschaefer and John Kuklewicz already setting up. We were the third, followed soon by Richard Navarrete, Ken Head, Alan Nelms and others pulled up. Eventually we had 25 or more telescopes set up in the SW lot, more had decided to go elsewhere since we were out of room. Down on Coulter Row was a contingent of SCT's along with the big blue 22" f/5.6 Dob that everyone knows by that wonderful feeling you get atop an not-that-stable ladder at too high up the rungs. Over by the observatory side were several members of the FPOA and SJAA (many of us at the SW lot are members of those two groups too).

The sky looked so bad, we opted for some cans of Fosters, followed later around sunset by picnic type dinners with white wine. We were picking out appearing stars, noticing how the moisture in the air was turning the sun into a large version of a well banded Jupiter.

The sky was soon as dark as it would get. Time to open the Merlot and relax. Few if any were doing any real observing, mostly passing their time discussing the cruddy sky. Eventually, some of us stated looking at the brightest Messiers. What else are you going to do under those conditions? Marsha Robinson was there, working on her Messier list, and with the help of Alan Nelms and Rich Neuschaefer, doing very well! I had the uncommon pleasure of viewing that spectacular system know as M40 to help Marsha verify it. Thanks for that one Marsha! ;-)

Lots of visiting continued, then, car headlights everywhere! The crews who repaired the Peak after the February storm had removed the gate at the bottom of the road, so now, we had a half dozen cars full of cruisers looking for a party place. Since we outnumbered them, and since they probably thought we were a cult of some type that should be feared, they simply turned around and left us. Other distractions stopped us from trying any real observing, and the sky was still bright.

But... after a while, looking at Ursa Major near zenith, I could see some dim stars. So, Alan and I continued our Herschel hunt up in that constellation. Between about midnight and 2:30, we knocked out about 15 objects on the Hershey list. We had so neglected that part of sky, I was sure we could see at least something. And sure enough.... there are some big and bright galaxies there. In fact, Ursa Major is chock full of galaxies. Alan and I are now at the point in the Herschel 2400+ list that we find ourselves being more and more restricted to just Ursa Major, Coma Berenices and Virgo. Not like we're running out of objects to view though, there are plenty there for a few seasons more, or more! Maybe we'll have to take up some other aspect of the hobby, or decided to be like Jay Freeman and start the list over again, but with different aperture. Jay has been doing this search with a 6" Intes Mak, whereas Alan and I have been using 18" and 14.5" dobs, respectively. My bet is Jay may find them, but we have more of a chance to "see" them.

We finished dup at about 3:30 a.m. sitting and talking, just a few of us left. Soon, Alan was leaving, making room for me to spread out my bedding.

There I was, family asleep inside the truck, safely locked in, my, outside under the bright night of Fremont Peak.