[Chaos-l] Jan 27 Chaos Darksky observations

[Mark South]

Hi,
I wanted to pass along some observations I made at our last Observing session:
My goal for this trip was a study and star-hop of key Canis Major showpieces.  Used a 4.5-degree circle on Atlas 2000 to match views in my finder-scope.


Seeing: 3 Transparency: 2  the sky had patches of clouds, but for the most part observing was OK.
Telescope: LX6 8'' f/6




1. Object: nu-6-CaM
Type: Double Star
Constellation:  CaM
Power:  98x (nagler 13mm-type 6)
Chart/Page:  Atlas 2000 p. 19
RA: 6h 36.4m Dec: -18d 40m


Comments:  fairly bright yellow pair of stars, position angle 270-degrees, ~ 4-degrees south-west of Sirius.


2.  Object: M41
Type:  open cluster
Constellation: Ca Major
R.A. 6h 47m Dec. -20d 44m
Object Size: ~ 38' FOV 1.08 degrees
Power: 40x
Comments:  considerably bright and rich starfield, fairly loose.  Bright star noticeable to the east.


3.  Object: tau CaM (NGC 2362)
Type: Double star/Open Cluster
RA 7h 18.8m Dec. -24 57m
Powers:  40x, 98x (nagler 13mm type 6)
Comments:  Wow!  wonderful surprise in the finderscope, slightly 4 degrees southeast of omicron Canis Major.  Considerably bright star tau CaM nestled in a cluster of 40 or so fainter stars.  The group around tau is shaped to me like a "y"  Dyer said it looked like a 'floating bob" with waters ripples.  To me, it looked like a jewel nesteld in a jewel box due to the cluster compactness around the star.   I thought I saw some nebulosity around the object but not sure it that was my imagination.   I've read others have mentioned this, however.


Observers:  Jon Stewart-Taylor, Robert Nielsen, and Mark Dyer.  They showed some superb views of M81/82, the Leo Trio of Galaxies, Saturn near the Beehive cluster and a glorious view of Polaris' blue-double star companion with their telescopes.


*** The Darksite is a great place to observe and encourage all to try it out this month.
Mark

Mark South
500 Market Street Ste. 204
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
http://homepage.mac.com/md_south