Oregon Star Party Advanced Observing List

Transcription

1 Oregon Star Party Advanced Observing List 2017 Welcome to the 2017 OSP Advanced Observing List Each object has a page telling you what it is, why it s interesting to observe, and the minimum size telescope you might need to see it. I ve included coordinates, the constellation each object is located in, and either a chart or photo (or both) showing what the object looks like and how it s situated in the sky. All you have to do is observe and enjoy the challenge. Stretch your skill and imagination - see something new, something unimaginably old, something unexpected Even though this is a challenging list you don t need 30 years of observing experience or a 20 inch telescope to be successful - although it does help. If you re not sure you have what it takes, give it go anyway. The only way to see these cool objects is to try. The minimum aperture listed for each object is a rough estimate. The idea is to show approximately what size telescope might be needed to successfully observe that particular object. Sky conditions and your experience matter as much as your scope. The visibility of each object assumes decently good OSP observing conditions. Observing list by Howard Banich, Chuck Dethloff and Matt Vartanian Requirements to receive a certificate 1. There are 23 observations to choose from. Descriptive notes and/or sketches that clearly show you observed at least 10 of them are needed to receive the observing certificate. For instance, you can mark up these photos and charts with lines and arrows, and add a few notes describing what you saw. Or go with however you normally record your observations. 2. Please note some objects are worth more than one observation. 3. Observers who successfully observe enough objects to total 10 observations also qualify to purchase a cool observing pin. 4. It s ok to use nebula filters on the planetary, emission and reflection nebulae.

2 Ethos 1 What is it? Ethos 1 is a bi-polar planetary nebula with jets. Why you want to see it: Discovered in 2010, this bi-polar planetary not only has a distinctive name and not to be confused with the TeleVue eyepieces but it s also been confirmed to have a binary central star. The central star will appear as a single stellar point though. The elongated bi-polar jets are difficult but are possible to see in scopes 24 inches and larger, but don t mistake the pair of field stars on either side that nearly parallel the jets. Minimum aperture needed: At 19 in diameter, and approximately magnitude 15, this is a challenging object for scopes smaller than 12 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See the circular central portion of the planetary nebula, which counts as one observation. An extra point if you can see both bi-polar jets. Cygnus RA 19h 16m 31.5s Dec +36 degrees 09m 48s NGC 5529 s companion galaxy, PGC 50925

3 What is it? It s a small companion galaxy of the edge on galaxy NGC Why you want to see it: PGC is a magnitude 16.8 galaxy that s probably causing the wrap in NGC Minimum aperture needed: 16 inches Criteria for successful observation: See PGC 50925, which counts as one observation. Excluding PGC the brightest companion - any of the other labeled galaxies in the photo below are also worth one observation. Bootes RA 14h 15m 34s Dec +36 degrees 13m 36s

4 CRL 2688, the Cygnus Egg What is it? This is a bi-polar proto-planetary nebula. Why you want to see it: A 14 th magnitude nebula is in the intimal phases of becoming a true planetary nebula. It is 30 x 15 in apparent size. Minimum aperture needed: 14 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See the nebula, which counts as one observation. An extra point if you can detect its polarized light. Cygnus RA 21h 02m 18.6s Dec +36 degrees 41m 35s Peimbert-Costero 22 (PC 22, or PK ) What is it? This is a planetary nebula.

5 Why you want to see it: It s a relatively unknown planetary that has been seen visually by very few observers. Be one of the first to see this magnitude 13.5 object. Minimum aperture needed: 10 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See the 20 oblong shape of the planetary, counts as one observation. Cygnus RA 20h 25m 30s Dec +42 degrees 18m 00s NGC 6914, vdb 131 and vdb 132 What is it? This is an HII region (emission nebula) with reflection and dark nebulae.

6 Why you want to see it: This area is full of bright reflection nebulae contrasted against dark nebulae, with more subtle emission nebulae. Minimum aperture needed: 16 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See NGC 6914, vdb 131 and vdb 132, each one counts as an observation. Cygnus RA 20h 25m 00s Dec +42 degrees 18m 00s Sh 2-71 (PK ) What is it? This is an unusual planetary nebula. Why you want to see it: The unusual horseshoe shape of the magnitude 12.3 planetary is unique and there are two stars in the dark central space. However, neither one of these stars is the actual central star, which is much fainter.

7 Minimum aperture needed: 12 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See the horseshoe shape of the planetary, counts as one observation. Aquila RA 19h 01m 59s Dec +02 degrees 09m 18s The Propeller Nebula (DWB 111, Simeis 57) What is it? HII region / emission nebula Why you want to see it: Its propeller shape is cool, and seeing the full, 15 th magnitude shape is a fun challenge. Minimum aperture needed: 12 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See the full propeller shape, counts as one observation.

8 Cygnus RA 20h 16m 43s Dec +43 degrees 43m 00s Burbridge s Chain What are they? Four companion galaxies to NGC 247 that are in nearly a straight line. Why you want to see it: These four galaxies are tightly grouped and are in the same field as NGC 247. Minimum aperture needed: 16 inches Criteria for successful observation: See three of the four galaxies in Burbridge s Chain each galaxy counts as one observation. Cetus RA 00h 47m 08s Dec -20 degrees 45m 38s

9 a = MCG , magnitude 14.6 b = MGC , magnitude 14.8 c = MCG , magnitude 16.0 d = MCG , magnitude 17.5 NGC 6907 and NGC 6908 What are they? Interacting galaxies. Why you want to see it: 6907 is a magnitude 11.9 galaxy with a prominent spiral arm that for many years had what was considered a bright HII region embedded it in it, and has the designation of NGC In 2007 it was discovered to be a separate galaxy that s interacting with 6907 Minimum aperture needed: 16 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See both galaxies, counts as one observation.

10 Capricornus RA 20h 25m 06s Dec -24 degrees 48m 33s UGC What is it? This is a ultrathin edge-on galaxy. Why you want to see it: This magnitude 14.8 edge on galaxy is one of the thinnest galaxies you can see. Minimum aperture needed: 12 inches. Criteria for successful observation: See the galaxy, counts as one observation. Pegasus RA 22h 59m 12s Dec +13 degrees 26m 23s

11 NGC 450 and UGC 807 What are they? These are visually overlapping but unrelated galaxies. Why you want to see it: Magnitude 11.6 NGC 450 is 64 million years away and magnitude 15.7 UGC 807 is 8 times further away. Minimum aperture needed: 12 inches Criteria for successful observation: See both galaxies, counts as one observation. Cetus RA 01h 15m 30s Dec -00 degrees 51m 41s

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13 Jones 1 (PK ) What is it? A large, faint planetary nebula located 2300 light years away in Pegasus. Why you want to see it: This huge, 14 th magnitude planetary nebula is a faint but beautiful sight. Minimum aperture needed: 12 inches Criteria for successful observation: See both main arcs, counts as one observation. Pegasus RA 23h 35m 53s Dec +30 degrees 28m 01s Photo credit: T.A. Rector/University of Alaska Anchorage, H. Schweiker/WIYN and NOAO/AURA/NSF

14 NGC 5545 and NGC 5544 What is it? They are interacting galaxies located 139 million light years away. Why you want to see it: These 14 th magnitude galaxies are plowing directly into each other, a unique sight! Minimum aperture needed: 16 inches Criteria for successful observation: See both galaxies, counts as one observation. Bootes RA 14h 17m 5s Dec +36 degrees 34m 29s