Nu Scorpii:
Date/time of observation: June 18, 2000 5:10 UT
Sky darkness: 4 <Limiting magnitude>
Seeing: 8 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: Great - full or very near object
Instrument: Vixen 102FL f/9 GP mount
Magnification: 153x,204x,368x
Object(s): Nu Scorpii
Category: Multiple star.
Constellation: Scorpius
Data: mag 4.3 & 6.8
Position: RA 16:12 DEC -19:28
The brighter(closer) pair, at 0.9" was split at 153x showing the typical "snowman". Reaching 368x using my 5mm Pentax smc ortho & 2x Meade barlow, the split was so
obvious, I could swear I saw a fine line of darkness between the 2 disks! The colour of the A star was white, with the B star being noted as blue. Splitting this close double reaffirms my suspicion that this 4" refractor has excellent optics.
Btw, the fainter pair, C & D, at 2.3" separation was so wide at 368x, you could drive a truck between them. ;^)
Update: The correct separation for the closer pair is ~1.3".
Observing Site: Casper, Wy. (suburban)
Equipment used: Vixen 102 Fl.
Seeing:7 out of 10
Limiting magnitude: 4.0 due to Moon
Ngc 2215: located near 7 Monoceros at first glance at 85x, seemed like a sparse group of stars; using averted vision, a feeling of a richer cluster was sensed. Brightest members appeared to be of 10th magnitude.
While I was in the area, a quick view of Beta Mon seemed mandatory. Ah yes, Nice split, nice double, but color contrast not that impressive to these old eyes.
M50 in Monoceros: Nice open cluster with open being the key word. Brightest member listed at mag 7.8
Ngc 2309 in Monoceros: This 10th mag cluster escaped me tonight thanks to the brightening Moon. I'll have to return some other time.
M79 in Puppis: One of my fav globulars, in my refractor at 77x, an 8.7 star to the north & a 9.4 star to the south seems to have this guy corralled for our enjoyment. At powers of 57x to 115x, no resolving of stars was achieved but, that's ok!
I took a shot at IC 418, a 10.7 mag planetary in Lepus but no way tonight. I think I should be able to spot this one with dark skies but can I get good seeing & dark skies at the same time???
Ngc 2453 in Puppis: Well condensed open cluster, has a scissors shape to it at 77x. Brightest stars estimated at 9.5 to 10th mag. While I was there, I of course, had to try Ngc 2452 with, of course, no success. At around 12th Mag plus, this will more than test my abilities on the darkest of nights.
Observing Report Feb. 15, 2000
