2022-11-21

• Condition: VG5
• Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

5:50PM

• Target: γ Ceti
• Const: Cetus
• RaDec: 02h43m +3.14
• Type: Star (Double)
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 150x, ½ stop-down
• Double: AB: 300°

Another difficult double. Similar to α Piscium, this one took me a good bit of time. Looking back, I probably should have waited another hour or two, since it was so low on the horizon and the image of the star seemed to ‘jump’ around a bit. Stop down helped with this one, and lots of time with micro-focusing, but I was finally able to spot the sibling. I was able to see a little more of the sibling than the ‘arc’ that I saw with α Piscium, though this one would appear and disappear from sight.

7:07PM

• Target: ζ Piscium
• Const: Pisces
• RaDec: 01h13m +7.35
• Type: Star (Double)
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 33x
• Double: AB: 50°

Nice split. Found by following the crook of the head of Aries to μ Piscium, then moving to η Piscium, then ζ Piscium. Primary appears white the secondary may have a hint of orange or yellow in it.

7:23PM

• Target: M 74
• Const: Pisces
• RaDec: 01h36m +15.47
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 40x, AV

A little difficult to see. I was able to detect it in my finder-scope. AV helps show a “busy noise” in an almost triangular shape. Can’t tell if it has a bright center, or if that is a nearby star.

7:34PM

• Target: M 77
• Const: Cetus
• RaDec: 02h42m +0.1
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 36x

Found near δ Ceti. AV is not required for detection, but helps bring out the elongated share. Also brings out a slightly brighter center.