Observations


Date/Time : 2008-10-05T01:05:00Z ± T10M --TO-- 2008-10-05T02:10:00Z ± T10M
Observer : Peter C. Chapin
Equipment :
Location :

My plan for the evening was to observe clusters in Vul. Note that this was my first time outside with my telescope in many months. For the last few years I've been so busy that I haven't had the time or energy for observing. That is unfortunate. I would like it if tonight marked the beginning of a new era of star watching for me.


NOTES


Object M-71
Type cluster/globular
Constellation Sge

NOTES

M-71 looked very nice tonight, as usual. It is an interesting object because it is on the border between being a very condensed open cluster and a loose globular. Because of this the object stands magnification very well.

In the Unitron it was largely unresolved, but averted vision did some member stars. Because of its compact nature, it was well distinguished from even the rich background. The cluster appeared to have some structure; I noticed two smaller groupings of stars to one side of the main cluster. I also noticed a moderately bright star that added interest by appearing to be involved with the cluster (although it was most likely a foreground star).


Object NGC-6800
Type cluster/open
Constellation Vul

NOTES

This cluster is near α Vul. It was visible in the 10x60 binoculars as a small, circular fuzzy spot. In the binoculars it tends to blend in with the rich background. In the Unitron, the cluster appears large (using the 25mm eyepiece) with cluster members widely dispersed. Averted vision shows quite a few additional stars and suggests even more, although the generally rich field makes interpretation of the view difficult.

This object would be worth revisiting with a larger telescope. In my Unitron it's a little too large, and the visible stars are a little too dispersed to be all that interesting.


Object NGC-6802
Type cluster/open
Constellation Vul

NOTES

This cluster was much smaller than NGC-6800. It appears in the Unitron (25mm eyepiece) as a small dusky spotߞsimilar in some ways to a faint galaxy. Averted vision is needed to see the object at all. This is not an object one would be likely to notice (in my Unitron) by just panning around. However, it does seem to be clearly visible.

I located this object by star-hoping from Sge. That seemed to be an easy and effective way of locating it.


Object NGC-6940
Type cluster/open
Constellation Vul

NOTES

This is a large cluster that is easily visible in the 10x60 binoculars. It fills the field of view of the 25mm eyepiece; one really needs to pan around a bit to properly appreciate the cluster. Use the lowest power available to observe this object.