Seven Up

Hi all

I went carbon star hunting last night and managed to bag seven.  These are the colours I perceived them to be.
X Cancri:  Dull orange.
T Cancri:  Orange.
Y Hydrae:  Dull orange.
U Hydrae:  Bright orange.
VY Ursae Majoris: Light orange.
SS Virginis:  Bright red.
Y Canum Venaticorum:  Dull orange, bordering on red.
I was pleased to bag Y Hydrae, it lies at -23 degrees and just appeared above the shed.
I had never given much consideration to carbon stars, maybe that will change.

I ended the night, early morning, by going to M104, it was low in the sky, though easily spotted.  The light pollution in the garden prevented me from seeing the dust lane, the central bulge was visible with averted vision.
My last object was an object that I have not observed in decades, M68.  The view was unfavourable, low in the sky and it showed up as nothing more than a round, fuzzy object.  I could not resolve any stars with my 120mm refractor.

Two late nights running, my wife told me this morning that I looked terrible.  What will I look like in the morning if the weather stays clear tonight?

 Paul

Thanks for the Observation.  Has been some good viewing recently.  It was very hazy where i live.
I had the  added annoyance of a Drone flying overhead between 2 houses where i live. No idea who the owner is but they where out at  9.30pm and stopped to take a look from 20m above my Telescope, before moving on, and returning later in the evening, so now a  new problem to content with my viewing  in my back garden.   I believe tonight forecast is good, so another late night for you.

Gosh! That's horrendous, scfahy.
What can we do about such spying drones?

Aubrey.

I know you have to register a drone over 1kg with the Irish Aviation Authority.  They're supposed to be kept in line of sight but it was quite dark at 9.30 in my Garden.  If it keeps happening I'll report it to the Gardai as you have to have permission to fly a drone over private property. It was well lit up with red lights so looked like a professional drone it's just the time it was being used is odd.

Hi Paul, 

Very well done on bagging seven carbon stars. I tried to observe the one you mentioned the other day - near Ursa Major - last night, but I can't be sure I was looking at the right star. So, I'll hold off describing until I'm sure what I'm looking at is La Superba. 

Good luck trying to keep yourself indoors tonight...The sky was so blue earlier, you could always have just a little peek  

Also, sorry to hear about that drone scfahy, hopefully it will be a once off. 

Clear skies, 

Darren.