2024-01-28

• Condition: G6
• Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

7:36PM

• Target: NGC 891, Silver Needle
• Const: Andromeda
• RaDec: 02h22m +42.2
• Type: Galaxy
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, AV

It took a few tries to find this one, I think I was at it for almost an hour. There are three ‘specks’ of light that remain pretty consistent without AV. AV helps give glimpses of an edge-on long shape that stretches from NE to SW.

7:52PM

• Target: V Arietis
• Const: Aries
• RaDec: 02h16m +12.2
• Type: Star (Carbon)
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, 110x

Funny predicament. As it turns out, Jupiter was almost right on top of V Arietis as I was attempting to observe it. Jupiter was just outside of the FOV to the NE, and I could begin to see a ‘halo’ of light that began to invade the FOV from that direction. This made it a little harder to determine the color. I eventually added the 2x Barlow to help determine a yellow color with a touch of orange.

8:16PM

• Target: NGC 40, Bowtie Nebula
• Const: Cepheus
• RaDec: 00h13m +72.31
• Type: Planetary Nebula
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, 110x, Ultrablock Filter

With the Ultrablock filter, the glow appears more linear, but the definition seemed to be washed out. I removed the filter and began to get the impression that it was very slightly elongated to the NE/SW. I added the Barlow for 110x, and was able to confirm the impression of elongation.

8:36PM

• Target: M 79
• Const: Lepus
• RaDec: 05h24m -24.33
• Type: Globular Cluster
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, 110x

This was on my list to revisit and attempt a better view. I can’t say it was too much of a success. I feel the cluster is just too low on the horizon. The glow was evident, but I was unable to resolve any individual stars even after pushing magnification to 110x.