Observing report : 06-30-2008

With a clear night and a forecast for low humidity (they lied), I decided to take a tour of Scorpius. 

My first target was M4.  The seeing was average or slightly below.  Viewed at 48X, the cluster was very faint.  I popped in the Barlow and got better definition.

From there, I moved to the binocular triple for a starting point in my search for M80.  M80 was almost a carbon copy of M4 in my seeing conditions.  Again, I started at 48X and used averted vision to get the full impact.  Moving back to 96X, M80 seemed to just pop out better than M4.

I noticed that the Teapot had moved out from behind the house next door, and pushed the scope over to it. 

First target in the teapot, M28.  I know that the magnitude for M28, M4 and M80 are almost the same, but M28 seemed much better defined at both 48X and 96X.  (Perhaps I had my full night vision) 

From M28, a quick swing to the east brought me to M22.  Not sure of M22’s magnitude, but the best definition so far.  Just a wonderful sight. 

Now I got ambitious.  I live on the north end of a town of about 20,000.  So all of the light pollution was between me and my goal.  The Trifid nebula.  I couldn’t get enough guide stars to find it.  I kept running across more clusters, but I couldn’t identify them.  Could have been M8, M20 or M21. I guess I’ll have to wait for a dark sky site.

Looking back toward Scorpius, I could now see all of it.  I couldn’t make out my guide star with the naked eye, but the Jewel Box is bright enough that I could the lower cluster in the guide scope.  The best of the night by far!  A beautiful tight cluster just under a very loose cluster. 

I finally finished my night with a 5 minute viewing of Jupiter.  I last viewed on Friday night.  I love watching how the moons change position. 

Packed it up for the night as dew was becoming a problem.  Lying weather man said low humidity.  Checked on the weather channel web sight at midnight.  74%!

It sounds like you had a good night, despite the high humidity.

Just so that there's no confusion NGC 6231 is known as the Northern or Scorpius Jewel Box, as well as the False Comet.  The original Jewel Box (NGC 4755) is found in the southern constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross.

http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/public/AList/Scorpius.html

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/D_SUM_S/IC4628.HTM

Dave Mitsky

Very nice report, chuck81, very nice indeed.  I agree with you about M22, it is one of my favorite targets in any scope, or even with binoculars.  Good job .

 Thanks for the feedback guys.

Sorry about not specifying "Jewel Box of Scorpius".  I was a little sleepy.  I didn't even realize that I'd left that out until I read your post Dave.

 Good report Chuck, and nicely written. Thanks for sharing.

Well, I was trying to come up with a plan for my viewing tonight.  I think you've solved that problem for me.   THANKS!!

Go for it WannaB.  It's hard to not find something in that area of the sky. 

Chuck81,

Well, between helping my brother-in-law and not getting home until later, the headache I had and the smoke and dust in the air around my house(the farmers are cutting wheat and burning off the stubble), I didn't make it out to take the tour of Scorpius and the Teapot.

But, tonight is another night.  I'll give it a try.  Of course, it's windy, somewhat cloudy and apparently there's a cold front headed in.  So, we'll see.

How inconsiderate of those farmers. 

I know!  You would think they would have more consideration!

A very nice report Chuck.  As to the farmers, be thankful you don't live within a couple of miles from a dairy.  My sister in Arizona does and when they decide to turn over the cow residue.............

L

Residue?  I grew up on a ranch.  I think we had a different term for it.