Observer's Log
12/28/08
6 pm Skies totally clear. Claire and Bob did a broad sweep
with our visiting cousin Mary Jane: The Great Square in the west, Venus, Pleiades,
Taurus and Auriga high in the east, Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper surrounding
the North star. Not completely dark yet and Orion not completely risen.
10 pm Much darker sky and more time to get night vision. Focused on some details: in the west: the Summer Triangle still easy to spot with Altair low and Deneb and Vega higher. The Swan (Northern Cross) now flying down to the horizon. In Auriga the 3 dim stars called “The Kids” south of bright Capella. The red colors of Aldebaran in Taurus and Betelgeuse in Orion compared as well as white Castor and orange Pollux in Gemini. With binocs we saw nebulosities in the Pleiades and the Orion nebula (middle of the dagger). Also separated 2 stars in the Trapezium of the Orion nebula.
To the north, the full Little Dipper was now prominent (a sign of good seeing). Ended the evening with the tale which involves at least 6 of the fall constellations (we hope someone in our ILEAD class tells it). Up from the tilted Great Square, Andromeda hangs on for dear life and in that region is the streaky smudge of the Andromeda galaxy. Once located in binoculars, it was easy to spot without them even though it is 2 million light years distant. - Bob Mead
1/9/09
5:00 pm As predicted on our bulletin, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus were all in the evening sky. The sun had set around 4:20 and the nearly full moon was up in the east. We needed binoculars to find Jupiter between strips of clouds and only 3 degrees above the horizon. Mercury was about 5 higher than that, and Venus bright and well up in the trees. – Bob & Claire Mead
1/15/09
Paul / Gisela report great skies. Paul: "I went out last
night (as long as I could stand the temperature). The moon
is coming up later so it was good observing. I took the planisphere with me
and was at first quite confused...have to get used to the fact that one is looking
in 3-d (half of the inside of a sphere). Actually was facing south
(albeit quite vertical)to view Orion (and then the other objects for homework).
The orientation of the big dipper helps to align the planisphere and then it's
pretty easy to navigate. Used binoculars and as clear as it was, it was quite
a show."
Gisela: "I feel after such a glorious nightsky I have
to share my findings.
Venus made the entrance then I waited until the sky got darker and the stars
came out. I could not believe that, despite the street light by my house, I
could make out Orion (Rigel) was just a bright star, no color, then I went on
and saw the Capella, the kids the Auriga, Castor and Pollux in Gemini. I
could not believe how much I had learned just in one class. Later I went out
again and low and behold, there was Queen Cassiopeia (my father's favorite among
others) left of Cassiopeia where two bright stars facing South I went inside
to try to find out what they are and I think I saw part of Cepheus? I also think
Sirius came into view facing Orion's right foot?"
1/24
Bob: A cold and windy afternoon with dropping temps, but mostly calm after dark. Went out with bonics to check the new "recipe" for Andromeda galaxy: from Polaris thru Cass. and about 75% further. It didn't get me on the spot, but close enough to scan for it. Combined with the other recipe (up from the Great Square) it should help pinpoint the neighborhood.
It was extremely clear. Saw lots instantly, took many trips inside to warm and make sketches, but didn't seem to need the full night vision. At 6:30 pm it was too early for Sirius and the Beehive in Gemini. Multiple stars were obvious in Orion at his head and the tip of the dagger. Thought I saw Rigel's little brother, but it could have been distortion. King Cepheus is very prominent West of Polaris and NW of Cass. He is a square with a tall triangle pointing to the right. Perseus is high at the zenith (top of the sky), higher than Auriga. You will use Perseus and Cass. to find the wonderful double cluster, both visible in a single binocular view. Compare them for star quantities, color and distribution.
And I saved the best to tell you last. After reviewing the Auriga clusters (still there!), I went for a new cluster. It is above the feet of Gemini. Just sweep the binocs along the line of feet (should be four feet but it's more stars than that) from the one closest the horizon and on up. Just past the highest foot you will hit a fuzz patch that is larger than any of the Auriga clusters. It's M35.
BUT that's not the very best. In my telescope I had seen two galaxies, Messiers 81 and 82 above the Big Dipper several times but never in binocs. I made a recipe for reaching them. Go diagonally across the scoop of the Dipper and thru the top star of the scoop (that's Dubhe or alpha Ursa Major). Proceed about the same distance toward the zenith. They are very faint vertical smears, but they will be close to one another.
1/24 Charles backs me up: "On Friday
the 16th I went outside and it was terribly cold. So I said to myself that I
just couldn't stay outside and then I saw a brightly lit satellite running about
NNE. I was outside a grand total of about 1 minute, but a rewarding minute it
was.
Last night, 24 January, at 5:45 PM I looked at my star chart and went to a second
story window giving me a view from SW to NW (we live at the top of a mountain).
I clearly saw Venus at about 20 degrees up (is that the right term, "degrees"?)to
the WSW and at about 40 degrees up in NW direction clearly saw Cassiopeia--Caph,
Schedar and three other stars, and at about 50 degrees up and to the West I
saw Andromeda (I think Alpheratz, Mirach, and Almach) but only that line of
it. I could not see the lower line stemming out from Alpheratz. I realize from
the star chart that the stars composing that line are less bright which must
have been the cause. Further to the West and also at about 50 degrees up I could
see part of the Great Square of Pegasus (Algenib and Scheat) but could not see
Markab.
All this time I was intermittently hanging out of our second story window, blowing
on my hands, getting back inside to look at the star chart and trying to orient
myself and get warm again. But it was great to feel a little confident on how
to use the star chart and to see stuff. I was in a pretty awkward position relative
to the window and my attempts to use my bird binoculars was less than really
successful although with Venus I shakily could see it.
I think I am concluding that starting with the star chart and any added information
from you or the newspaper or the radio one knows what must be up there and roughly
where and then one finds it. That’s a real discovery and thanks to you.
1/25 Bob – sees Venus at 4:32 pm, well before sunset, using averted vision [see observing tips].
1/26 Bob – Venus at 4:29:30 pm.
1/27 Bob – Please remember to note the time, direction and altitude of your sightings.
7:30 pm: At this time high (65º) in the South are the 7 Sisters, the compact cluster. Have you noticed the nebulosity around them? Above them is the left-opening VEE of Hyades, featuring the “angry red star” Aldebaran.
Over in the East at about 45º altitude are the heads of Gemini, but if you trace generally from them halfway down to the horizon you will see a fuzzy patch. Binoculars will reveal them as the busy buzzy open cluster, the Beehive in Cancer. In general, in your binoculars, more distant open clusters will be fuzzy patches and globular clusters will be petite fuzzy balls.
Sweeping to the North we see Polaris about halfway up (45º altitude). Can you see the rest of the Little Dipper curling down and to the right? It’s about half the size of the Big Dip.
At the top of the sky is Perseus shines with many bright stars but no fuzzy objects because Perseus is “local,” meaning its bright stars are near to us. As a matter of fact from a distance (like from the Andromeda Galaxy) our Sun and some of the stars near to us would be described as an open star cluster like M35 or the Beehive. I believe that this is the main reason you should look at these things. It helps you to see where you are in the grand scheme, and that does not mean you are in a belittled role. Other planets in other systems have been detected, but none so far are possessing the physical aspects that support life quite as well as our unlikely planet does.
In the West, the Great Square of Pegasus is tilted like a baseball diamond. If you call the lowest star Home plate, then the constellation Andromeda extends from 2nd base and on up toward the zenith. The main branch extends a trail of stars almost vertically, although it bends to the north. There is a dimmer trail that can be traced also to the right (north) of that trail. The Andromeda Galaxy (another thing you absolutely MUST see) is to the right (N) of that second trail.
Orion: the shield he holds to the right (West) is fairly obvious when you obtain night vision. The club, basically a tall, four-sided object, is quite a bit dimmer. It extends from Betelgeuse toward the feet of Gemini.
The double cluster is between Perseus and Cassiopeia.
Can't wait to hear more of your reports, Bob.
Feb 1 Bob: We continue to have many clear evenings, although
the Moon is making its presence felt now. I haven't had anyone report that they
have spotted the Andromeda galaxy. I would like everyone to try to see it. Look
high up from the western horizon. Remember to try the new "recipe"
for it. From Polaris, thru the middle of Cass. and 3/4 the distance further.
My news is that the Beehive star cluster (in Cancer the Crab) is now high enough
in the ENE to see after about 7:30. The funny thing was that I saw the cluster
unaided (then with binocs) and never did make out the stars in Cancer. They
are shy! Look halfway from the Gemini heads toward the head of Leo (low in NE).
Feb. 13 Gisela: I have not been able to see a sky like tonight since January 15th. I can see Ursa Major, the little dipper and polaris on top of it, I also saw Leo but just cannot make out Cancer there are just too many stars out there. Orion is still there so is Auriga, Pollux an Castor and I just go in and out consulting my Planisphere....
Bob: Thanks for that report. It is nicer now that the Moon is later. This should be a good 2 weeks coming. And spring is coming with a new cast. Look for Bootes, Lyra, the Crown (Corona Borealis) and Hercules in 2 months or less.
Feb. 25 Bob: Claire and I saw 3 clusters south and east of Sirius using binoculars at about 8 pm. M41is an open cluster 6-7 degrees south of bright Sirius. You will probably see them in the same view or very close to one. Starting from Sirius again go left (east) about two views and you will get M46 and M47 together in one view. They present different visual characteristics though. M47 is like 41, equally bright and presenting clear individual stars, whereas M46, just east of 47, appears as a small patch of fog. 46 and 47 are both open clusters, but 46 is about a sixth as bright. In a telescope though, M46 has a bonus. Situated directly in front of it from our perspective is a small disk-shaped planetary nebula. It appears somewhat like a "floater," for those who have had that condition in the eye.
March 13: Claire and Bob see Venus at 6:59 EDT. We can plainly see the Venusian crescent dipping toward the south, meaning that Venus is orbiting north of the celestial equator. This fact is confirmed by guests Annie and Riz two nights later.
March 17: from Barbara P. While in Belize last week I clearly identified Orion directly above. Unfortunately I'm allergic to Damsel Flies so couldn't stay outside long enough to really study the sky.
May 25: Bob: In twilight, Claire and I picked out the 36-hour wafer-thin crescent of the New Moon. This phase begins the month in Islam which uses a lunar calendar. We were able to see very foreshortened craters near the rim. Later, but still in twilight, we picked out Saturn, along with very thin rings and two moons. Then just above Regulus at the front of Leo, at the bend in the question mark, we saw Gamma Leo, an equal yellow double star. It took careful focusing to separate them.
I was able to take my own advice and find a faint Sombrero galaxy, west of Spica in Virgo, and NE of Corvus the Crow. Last, but not least in the East – M13 the brightest star cluster for Northern observers. It's on the leading edge of the main quadrangle in Hercules. Binoculars will pick it up.
January 10, 2010: Bob: Incredible Sun pillar from Haverhill at sunset. We had a cloud ceiling that extended to within 2 degrees of the SW horizon. When the Sun sank into the opening at 4:20 pm, it sent a shaft of orange light vertically for about 20° with a width of about 2°. The pillar lasted at least 15 minutes, turning red when the Sun actually set. Just then a seam in the clouds allowed a horizontal streak of red light to cross near the top of the pillar making an unmistakeable upper case T. How often do you see right angles made by clouds and playing light? The rest of the show was a pretty sunset of shades of warm and cool colors.
January 16, 5 a.m.: Bob: Early risers might want to look at the panorama available from the SW to the SE at these hours. I think I mentioned that, due to the arc of their path across our sky, Gemini rise in the east in a laid back position, and then in spring we see them set in the west in an upright stance. All the zodiac constellations do the same. Orion is a laid back dude upon rising, but if you catch him at his highest he stands up and by the time he sets he's keeling forward. Leo mimics these apparitions by leaping up in the east and pouncing down, hours later, in the west.
Early this a.m. I saw Leo in the SW pouncing down but still an hour or so above the horizon. Peering farther west I caught a distinctly red and bright Mars. Looking back to the east I thought I saw Saturn – and Spica, the only bright star in Virgo. Spica is usually a lonely bright white star in the southern skies in spring, but it appears that Saturn, slightly N and W, will keep it company for some time. Can you tell a planet from a star?
Colors: if Jupiter (still visible in the SW after sunset) is the color of 2% milk, then I see Saturn as heavy cream. Sadly, in average binoculars, Saturn does not yield its local secrets – a ring system and upwards of 6 visible moons. Jupiter in binoculars, by comparison, will show us 2, 3 or 4 moons on a regular basis.
Jan 22: Pip reports: Wow, I was just outside (6:02 - 6:15PM) to marvel at Mars rising and Jupiter setting...AND the International Space Station flying from WSW to SE!! I go out at least three times a day at dark: about 6PM, 10PM and 5AM. It's been pretty good the last couple of nights/mornings. I did find the Andromeda constellation, but it's too light here in downtown Hanover for me to spot the galaxy. I'll have to wait about three weeks until the moon's not so bright. I previously saw Arcturus and Spica!
Jan 23: Bob replies to Pip: There are websites that give the
times that you can sight the ISStation. I'd start here and search sightings.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
In the 11 hours between evening and morning about 5 months worth of stars roll
by (ahem, I mean we rotate thru about that much). Predawn is a good time to
see the stars in seasons to come.
Three objects you mention would make a good color comparison study. See if you
can detect color differences in Mars, Arcturus and Spica. Oh and be careful
with Spica b/c Saturn is prowling just up and to the right of Spica. If you
see just one in that direction, it might be Saturn.
Feb 9: Pip has great skies. "WOW! The "gazing" was spectacular this morning (from about 5:05 until 5:45)! It's been a long time since it's been so clear! I even saw two satellites within 7 or 8 minutes! Last night (about 9 - 9:30) wasn't bad, either. I ran into a neighbor walking his dog. He was a little concerned about my sanity when he saw my binox, but then I showed him Orion's dagger with all the clusters, Castor's and Pollux' colors, Mars, the Pleiades, and the Andromeda Galaxy. THAT impressed him!"