Dwarf Planets Haumea and Makemake

Dear group,

A couple of images from the other day involving two of the five dwarf planets which characterize our solar system.

These bodies are less than 2000 km in diameter and are close to the orbit of Pluto.

I hope to reimage this area a week after these images were taken so as to illustrate the very small apparent motion of these very slow-moving bodies.

Haumea - www.perseus.gr/Astro-Planet-Dwarfs-Haumea.htm
Makemake - www.perseus.gr/Astro-Planet-Dwarfs-Makemake.htm

Ceres which is now also classified as a dwarf planet will hopefully be imaged tomorrow (weather permitting) whereas Pluto will be prime for a visit in a few weeks.

Clear skies!

Anthony.

Anthony - excellent! I'm so looking forward to a time-lapse image.

I was surprised with the magnitudes of both objects - I really thought they'd be a lot dimmer. At their current magnitudes, I'd say many astrophotographers would be able to pick them up. Of course, not at the kind of quality presented by yourself

By the way, how are you, how's Greece and how's the weather.

dmcdona wrote:

Anthony - excellent! I'm so looking forward to a time-lapse image.

Me too since it will bring the result to life seeing these small bodies "move".

I was surprised with the magnitudes of both objects - I really thought they'd be a lot dimmer.

To be honest, I did not know what to expect since they are quite small (around 1500 km in diameter) and around the orbit of Pluto (ie. far). I suspect the high albedo for both of them helps in this regard.

I should also mention that there are now at either perihelion or aphelion (I do not remember which one of the two).

At their current magnitudes, I'd say many astrophotographers would be able to pick them up.

This was what had me with my fingers crossed. It was obvious from the first ten minute exposure involving each of these bodies that I would have a result, for I was able to immediately pick out each dwarf.

Of course, not at the kind of quality presented by yourself

The real challenge will be later this summer with .... Sedna .... and its 20.6 (or so) magnitude. This is my real target since it represents a really neat challenge. I have hit mag 21 relatively easy before involving extragalactic clusters but Sedna is a greater challenge.

By the way, how are you, how's Greece and how's the weather.

This past winter was one of the worst winters many people can remember. I had a stretch of about four months with absolutely no work due to the weather (clouds and rains) and which explains my absence from the IFAS board.

These problems with the weather further reinforce my desire to have multiple scopes up and running simultaneously so as to be more productive during summers when we have only six hours of darkness but clear skies day-in and day-out and during winter where we have lots of hours of darkness (11-12 hrs) but relatively few nights with clear skies.

To this end, I would like to pick up a second AP1200 as well as a second Mach1GTO.

Anthony.

ayiomamitis wrote:

To this end, I would like to pick up a second AP1200 as well as a second Mach1GTO.
Anthony.

Now, what would you put on those babies.... AP have some *very* nice choices at the moment

The very best of luck with Sedna. If I get chance before the season "closes" I'll try and have a pop at the other two. Sedna will probably be out of my reach...

Dave

dmcdona wrote:

ayiomamitis wrote:

To this end, I would like to pick up a second AP1200 as well as a second Mach1GTO.
Anthony.

Now, what would you put on those babies.... AP have some *very* nice choices at the moment

Yes, I am jumping up and down with the news from yesterday.

I have an AP305/f12.5 Mak-Cas coming my way (don't tell Jeff :laugh: ) and I have already sent email asking to be placed on the AP305/f3.8 astrograph list!

My current arsenal comprises of an AP160, Mewlon 210, Tak FSQ and the forthcoming AP305/f12.5 Mak-Cass.

The latter (AP305) must go with my AP1200 mount due to the weight whereas the other three (AP160, Mewlon, FSQ) will have to share my single Mach1GTO. Now you see why I need at least a second Mach1GTO and it is not unreasonable to pursue a third such unit as well so that all three of the lighter scopes can be used each night.

The problem with the astrograph (AP305/f3. is that it is just as heavy as the Mak-Cas which means a second AP1200 by necessity. I will get it sooner than later so as to have my AP160 use it (just as I do right now) so as to be productive and then offload the AP160 to a Mach1GTO when the astrograph becomes available.

The sad thing is that I am also on the list for an AP130/f6.3 and AP140/f7.5 .... and you know what that means. :ohmy:

The very best of luck with Sedna. If I get chance before the season "closes" I'll try and have a pop at the other two. Sedna will probably be out of my reach...

I will post a message when Sedna becomes seasonal so that we can go at it together (a "gang bang" as Seanie would say).

Anthony.

Anto --

Whao, dude! Did you get notification on the AP Mak-Cass?

I'm on the list (and the 130GT list), but I expect I'm years away (and perhaps even decades away on the 130).

Do you set this arsenal up each night you use it, or are they permanently mounted in an observatory?

Cheers,
-- Jeff.