Two globular clusters

Hi all, I very much hope this post finds you and your loved ones in good health.

I'm happy to say that after a month away from the eyepiece I had my first observing session tonight. I decided to leave the pencil and paper behind me tonight, and instead simply spent as much time looking at the night sky.

I set my scope up out my back garden, and began my observations at 10:40. At that point in time, Bootes was positioned perfectly to be viewed. 

While I have observed Arcturus  in the past, the area in and around Bootes was new to me. Being a creature of habit, I started with Arcturus. With a very clear and calm night, it looked incredible at 37.5 X. The four diffraction spikes radiating from the colourful star were still, and created a beautiful starburst effect. From there I observed Izar, and was struck by how white it appeared though my XT6. 

I then decided to move a little further afield and go after M3. Using a Telrad and the finder chart I struggled to locate it. So I decided to star hop beginning from Seginus. Within a few seconds I found the first globular cluster of the evening. I was delighted to find it, and I could relate to Charles Messier's descriptive term 'faint fuzzy'. Despite trying several different eyepieces I could not resolve any stars - I think it might require more aperture? 

Next up was M53. Like M3, I initially struggled to locate this globular using the Telrad and finder charts,  but star hopping from Rho Bootis, enabled me to observe it. Using a 32mm Plossl the FOV was pretty, and it was at that point I regretted not having my sketching equipment with me. Thus, at the next available opportunity I'm going back to sketch the less compact globular cluster and try to capture its beauty.

Until then clear skies, and stay safe fellow observers.

Darren.

Forgive me for asking, Darren.
But did you manage to split Izar?
Maybe next time you will.
Arcturus is my favourite bright star.
Its orange colour wins me over every time without fail.
M3 is a glorious globular for sure.
I would say 100X would be sufficient to resolve its outer stars at least.
M53 is a big favourite for many amateurs too.
Starhopping is great fun!

I do thank you very much for sharing your experiences from Sunday night.
I will be sharing my own in a few hours time.
Watch this space! Pun intended.

Kind regards,

Aubrey.

Afternoon Aubrey,

Very many thanks for your message. Interesting you mention about splitting Izar. When I looking at it last night I kept saying to myself 'why is this name so familiar to me?' Never remembering it was a particularly nice double-star! So, no I did not split it because I completely forgot it was a double. I must try to split it next time round.

Also many thanks for suggesting I go to 100X for M3. The core was certainly brighter than the outer regions of the cluster, but I failed to resolve any stars. I don't think my location helped either. The council recently cleared a wooded area near my house, so a street lamp is now adding to the light pollution I have to deal with living next to the Dundrum Town Centre.

I'm looking forward to reading your report later on as it will brighten my mood - scary stuff this Corona Virus.

Clear skies to you,

Darren.

So sorry to learn about that nuisance street lamp, Darren.
I wonder if there are any plans to erect some type of tree.

You will love Izar when you split it.
Maybe 150X will work for you.
If not even less.
Give it a go! Check out the colours while you're at it.
www.stelledoppie.it has all the figures.

Clear skies from Aubrey.