| Observer: | Tom Campbell |
| Location: | Iola, Kansas (Long: 95°24'W Lat: 37°55'N) |
| Equipment: | Discovery DHQ 8" dobsonian |
| Eyepieces: | 1.25" Plössls - 25mm (49x), 15mm (81x), 10mm (122x); Starmaster 2X barlow |
| Time: | 10:00pm - 10:30pm CDT (03:00-03:30 UT) |
| Transparency: | Clear (9/10) |
| Seeing: | Stable (7/10) |
| Weather: | Temperatures in the 70s. There was a light breeze. |
My main purpose for tonight's observing session was to get some more time in with a fairly rare Starmaster barlow lens that a friend let me borrow. It is a 1.25" 2x barlow, but it delivered some nice images of Mars at our recent MarsWatch party.
The seeing wasn't that great tonight, but the sky sure did look pretty. I decided to go for a few open clusters in Cassiopeia.
| NGC 559 | Cassiopeia | Open Cluster | 10:00pm CDT |
| CR 13 | RA: 01h 29m 30s | Dec: +63° 18' | Mag: 9.5 |
 |
This open cluster was small and faint. The best view was at 375x. Three of the brighter stars formed an isosceles triangle and with averted vision, several more stars became visible. The cluster wasn't very impressive. |
||
| NGC 637 | Cassiopeia | Open Cluster | 10:05pm CDT |
| CR 17 | RA: 01h 43m 04s | Dec: +64° 02' | Mag: 8.2 |
 |
This cluster was bright and compact, but sparse. The best view was at 150x. Six to ten stars were visible, all of a similar magnitude. Averted vision revealed a few fainter members. A slight haze surrounded the cluster, hinting at some fainter, unresolved stars. Near the center of the cluster was a close double. |
||
I was really hoping to get another good glimpse of Mars at high power, but the seeing tonight just didn't allow it. Before I could figure out my next target, my mother came outside, and wanted a quick tour of the sky. She was wanting a refresher from the MarsWatch event she attended with me. I pointed out a few constellations to her, and let her use my binoculars on the Pleiades, which were just about treetop high. Then I pointed my telescope at a few of her favorites, such as the double cluster and NGC 457.
I didn't accomplish much as far as my observing lists go, but I enjoyed the evening nonetheless.