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M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) (Galaxy, in Andromeda)
Observer: Harold Williams (e-mail: clouseau@webtv.net)
Instrument: naked eye Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Light pollution: light Transparency: excellent Seeing: excellent
Time: Thu Sep 24 03:30:00 1998 UT Obs. no.: 402
I was camping in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts this week and was fortunate to experience sky conditions that are rare for most people. The only light was from a few distant houses, my propane lamp on low and a campfire. I was looking through Andromeda to locate the galaxy to view it with my new ETX. I noticed a faint haze where it should be but couldn't believe I would see it naked eye. After a few minutes of checking with the binoculars, I decided it was possible. Also visible with no help was the Double Cluster in Perseus. The Milky Way was distinct all the way from Sagittarius to Cassiopeia. Just scanning along this line with binoculars and just observing star fields was amazing.
M13 (Hercules Cluster) (Globular Cluster, in Hercules)
Observer: Harold Williams (e-mail: clouseau@webtv.net)
Instrument: 10-inch Dobsonian reflector Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Light pollution: moderate Transparency: good Seeing: good
Time: Sun Jul 12 03:30:00 1998 UT Obs. no.: 365
I've often seen the Hercules Cluster from my light polluted location many times but never as good as tonight. Using the Telradhere is usually difficult because the lights of the city make it impossible tosee all but the brightest stars. Tonight,all the necessary guide stars were readilyvisible. M13 was readily found in my 40mmeyepiece at 30x. It appeared as a smallhazy patch. Going to the 20mm wide angle eyepiece at 60x, the cluster began to take some shape. Individual stars were only visible using averted vision. I then dropped in the 3x Barlow and was given a pleasant surprise. I had never used the Barlow on a dim deep sky object before so didn't know what to expect. At 180x, the cluster appeared as bright as at lower power. But, now there were many individual stars visible. My upstairs neighbor who had never looked through a telescope before came out for a look. Her first comment was, "WOW", which I understand is customary for this object.
Epsilon Lyr (Multiple Star, in Lyra)
Observer: Harold Williams (e-mail: clouseau@webtv.net)
Instrument: 10-inch Dobsonian reflector Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Light pollution: light Transparency: fair Seeing: fair
Time: Sat Jun 20 16:00:00 1998 UT Obs. no.: 364
The first really good sky conditions by Philadelphia standards in weeks and we have an almost full moon! I decided to give observing a shot anyway. I wanted to try for something I'd never seen in my scope and chose the Double Double. Since Vega was the only guide star visible, this was going to take some guesswork. At 60x, it took a few minutes of searchine to find the brightest two stars. Then, I dropped in the Barlow and went to 180x. At first, I thought I was out of luck. On a second, closer look I could just make out the companion stars. This may not be a big deal to many observers. But, considering the conditions I have to observe under, I was quite pleased to add this item to my personal list.
Epsilon Lyr (Multiple Star, in Lyra)
Observer: Harold Williams (e-mail: clouseau@webtv.net)
Instrument: 10-inch Dobsonian reflector Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Light pollution: light Transparency: fair Seeing: fair
Time: Sat Jun 20 16:00:00 1998 UT Obs. no.: 363
The first really good sky conditions by Philadelphia standards in weeks and we have an almost full moon! I decided to give observing a shot anyway. I wanted to try for something I'd never seen in my scope and chose the Double Double. Since Vega was the only guide star visible, this was going to take some guesswork. At 60x, it took a few minutes of searchine to find the brightest two stars. Then, I dropped in the Barlow and went to 180x. At first, I thought I was out of luck. On a second, closer look I could just make out the companion stars. This may not be a big deal to many observers. But, considering the conditions I have to observe under, I was quite pleased to add this item to my personal list.
M11 (Wild Duck Cluster) (Open Cluster, in Scutum)
Observer: Harold Williams (e-mail: clouseau@webtv.net)
Instrument: 10-inch Dobsonian reflector Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Light pollution: light Transparency: fair Seeing: fair
Time: Sat Jun 20 16:00:00 1998 UT Obs. no.: 351
This observation was made at the Mason/Dixon Star Party just south of York, Pennsylvania. It was a very humid night. While it was very soupy, the sky was fairly stable. This observation was made with a friends 18" Starmaster. While this was a very beautiful group of stars, I wasn't able to see the Wild Duck shape. That was just me. Many others could. I've seen most of the Messier clusters but this one immediately became my favorite.
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