Observations 30th August 2022

Hello everyone,

I hope all is well in your world. 

Some of you may have read that Aubrey and I were going after STT 16 last Tuesday.  I'll hold off describing what we saw (or didn't see) until Aubrey submits his report as it will be much more accurate. 

So for now, I'll briefly outline the additional objects I observed between approximately, 21:40UT and 23:00UT. 

Thanks to Paul's recommendation of downloading, prinitng and laminating the 'Deep Sky Hunter Star Atlas' I was prepared to locate some new objects. For example, 'King 14' caught my eye on Map 3 as it showed there were three open clusters not too far from STT 16 in Cassiopeia. Using the Map I starhopped from Gamma Cassiopeiae, then out to Kappa Cassiopeiae, and then the three Open clsuters were found.

Through my f/5 250mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonian Mount  each cluster looked beautiful. So much so, I'm going back tonight to sketch one of the three - 'King 14', 'NGC 133', or NGC 146 - tonight. 

Following those clusters, I viewed M31, and M110 - couldn't see M32 though - so then took in the gorgeous Perseus Double-Cluster. At this stage it was close to 23:30UT , so Saturn was nicely positioned to be observed. 

Before settling down to view the 'Ringed' planet I popped back inside to get a top; after all I was in shorts and a T-shirt : )

Using 50X to begin I could see Saturn and Titan. Pushing the magnification to 208X Tethys, Dione, Rhea came into view. Dione was on the Eastern side of the Planet with the others all sitting out past the Western limb. Thethys was the most difficult to see, but I did see it several times over the course of 30 minutes. In addition those Moons, the NEB and 'Crepe' Band were also seen at 208X. 

Taken together it was a most enjoyable night under the stars.

Many thanks for reading and clear skies to all,

Darren.

 

That's a great report, Darren. 
I am most pleased you observed King 14, NGC 133 and NGC 146 on Tuesday night. 
I observed all 3 at 112x from the Sugarloaf car park on 11th August 2021. They fitted in the same field of view at 112x with Kappa Cassiopeiae. It was one of my best observations of last year. There is a double star in the middle of NGC 146. It's called HJ 1033. 

Now about STT 16: Some double star observers on Cloudy Nights have discovered a discrepancy regarding the magnitude of the secondary star. Burnham gives magnitude 10. Stelle Doppie gives 10.5. But another source called Astrometrica gives 11.24. When Darren was on the phone to me, neither of us saw the secondary. And Darren has a 250mm Dobsonian. His scope could see fainter stars than my William Optics 158mm apo. So we have a real mystery here. I used magnifications up to 320x on Tuesday night. I could see diffraction rings, so the seeing was very good. So if someone here has a large apertured scope, they might give STT 16 a try. Stelle Doppie gives the magnitude of the primary as 5.6. This star has a rich orange hue. The spectral class is K4 or K5. The separation is 12.5". The PA is 23 degrees. With my scope north is upper right and east is lower right. I reckon that the secondary is in the 2 or 3'clock position. (I have a mirror diagonal fitted). 

I observed 4 other doubles in Cassiopeia on other nights. 

1. STF 43 is an uncertain double. Magnitudes: A = 9. B = 9.5. Sep: 4.7". PA = 168 degrees. I bumped into this double by accident whilst trying to see a carbon star called V826 Cas. The carbon star was invisible. But the double star was a rather pleasing sight at 112x. Both stars seemed white to me and nearly sitting side by side. 

These next 3 are within 2 degrees of STT 16. 

2. HU 514 is an uncertain double. Magnitudes: A = 9.8. B = 10.8. Sep = 3.5". PA = 175 degrees. With that delta mag of 1, I did have some difficulty seeing the 2 stars initially. But my William Optics 4mm eyepiece came up with the goods. Nice separation at 280x. Both stars were white. 

3. HU 511 is an optical double. Magnitudes: A = 9. B = 10.3. Sep = 4.5". PA = 178 degrees. Very nice sight at 112x. A clean split for sure. I could see that the primary was yellow-white (F5) okay. The other star was white.

4. ES 446 proved to be the nicest double of the night. It is an optical double with magnitudes: A = 8.8. B = 10.7. Sep = 13.8". PA = 257 degrees. The spectral class of the primary is K5 and it does indeed have a lovely orange hue. The secondary was white. Split at 40x and 112x.

Clear skies to everybody from Aubrey. 

I should have also said, Darren, that your observation of Saturn is brilliant too. 
Well done for spotting 5 moons of the ringed planet including Tethys. 
Your 10" is doing a super job. 
The next time you might have a go at seeing Iapetus. 
Its magnitude does vary as it moves from east to west. 
But it might not be a problem for your reflector. 
Also it's nice to note you saw the Equatorial Belt. 

Clear skies from Aubrey. 

 

Hi Aubrey,

Many thanks for your message. I didn't notice HJ 1033, but I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it next nime I observe King 14. I knew you'd write up a a wonderfully detailed report on STT 116. I reckon a good clear night at the Sugarloaf will help us. 

In terms of Saturn, I've never seen Iapetus - have you?

Clear skies,

Darren.

 

Indeed I have, Darren. 
But I can only see Iapetus when it's brighter on one side of the ringed planet. . 
I recently saw this moon the last time I was at the Sugarloaf. 
It always seems to be far away from Saturn. 
So we must always be aware that we are not seeing a faint field star when we are looking for Iapetus. 
Of course it's always a very faint starlike object, 

Please check out HJ 1033 on www.stelledoppie.it  

I have no idea as to when we are going to have a clear night next. 
Maybe next weekend?

Very best regards from Aubrey. 

Hi Aubrey,

Many thanks for your message. I recall you mentioning it alright now...I must try to view that Moon next time we're down at the Sugarloaf.

Now, off to Steltedoppie : )
Clear skies,

Darren.