Actual Astronomy - 12 Months of Messier
Digest
This podcast episode features astronomers discussing the challenges of observing celestial objects, particularly in Saskatchewan, due to harsh weather conditions. They share experiences with observatory performance, experimenting with specialized eyepieces like the occulting eyepiece, and observing various deep-sky objects including Messier objects, galaxies in Leo and Virgo, and globular clusters. The hosts also announce new astronomy equipment releases from NEAF, highlighting Explorer Scientific eyepieces and Takahashi telescopes, as well as Skywatcher's new Cassegrain telescope with a cooling system. Listener emails are addressed, covering topics like observing color in M42 and Jupiter, and the discussion concludes with a review of deep-sky objects in Ursa Major and Leo.
Outlines
Observing Challenges, Gear, and Deep Sky Objects
The podcast begins with an introduction and an announcement for an upcoming Q&A with guest David Nagler. The hosts then delve into the difficulties of astronomical observing, citing challenges like cold weather, wind, and clouds, and discuss their experiences in an observatory. They detail observations of various deep-sky objects, including Messier objects, galaxies in Leo and Virgo, and globular clusters, while also experimenting with an occulting eyepiece. New astronomy gear is announced, featuring Explorer Scientific eyepieces, Takahashi telescopes, and Skywatcher's new Cassegrain telescope with a cooling system. Listener questions about observing M42 color and Jupiter are addressed, and a review of deep-sky objects in Ursa Major and Leo concludes the discussion.
New Astronomy Gear and Telescope Innovations
This segment focuses on exciting new releases in the astronomy world. The Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) has introduced new Explorer Scientific eyepieces, with a discussion on specific models and their potential impact. Additionally, Takahashi telescopes are highlighted, particularly the FCT 114 triplet apochromat, noted for its optical quality and relatively light weight. A significant innovation from Skywatcher, their new 200mm F10 Cassegrain telescope with a built-in cooling system, is presented as a potentially game-changing instrument for both visual observers and imagers.
Listener Mailbag: M42 Color, Jupiter, and Deep Sky Objects
The hosts engage with listener feedback, reading emails that discuss observing color in the Orion Nebula (M42) under different conditions and sharing observations of Jupiter with various telescopes. This segment also includes a review of several deep-sky objects in Ursa Major, such as M40, M108 (Owl Nebula), and M109, followed by a discussion of Messier objects in Leo, including M95, M96, M105, and the Leo Trio.
Keywords
Astronomical Observing Challenges
Difficulties in observing celestial objects due to weather (cold, wind, clouds), terrain (mud, ice), and lighting conditions (late sunsets, twilight).
Observatory Performance
How enclosed structures aid astronomical observation by mitigating environmental factors like wind and temperature fluctuations.
Occulting Eyepiece
A specialized eyepiece designed to block bright objects, enhancing the visibility of fainter, nearby celestial objects.
Deep Sky Objects
Celestial objects beyond our solar system, including nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies, such as Messier objects, Markarian's Chain, and the Leo Trio.
Explorer Scientific Eyepieces
A brand of astronomical eyepieces known for their wide field of view and quality, with discussion on new releases and potential discontinuations.
Takahashi Telescopes
High-performance astronomical telescopes, with specific mention of the lightweight FCT 114 triplet apochromat model.
Skywatcher Cassegrain Telescope
A new 200mm F10 Cassegrain telescope featuring an integrated cooling system to improve observational stability.
Exit Pupil Calculation
The diameter of the light beam exiting an eyepiece, crucial for determining brightness and detail visibility in astronomical observation.
Planetary Nebulae Observation
Techniques and equipment, including high magnification and filters, for observing planetary nebulae, the shells of gas ejected by dying stars.
Leo Trio Galaxies
A popular group of three galaxies (M65, M66, NGC 3628) in the constellation Leo, often visible together in a single field of view.
Q&A
What are the primary challenges faced when observing the night sky in Saskatchewan?
Observing in Saskatchewan is difficult due to extremely cold winters, icy conditions, muddy springs, late sunsets, and perpetual twilight, all of which limit observing opportunities.
How does an occulting eyepiece aid in astronomical observation?
An occulting eyepiece features a built-in bar to block bright objects, making it easier to view fainter celestial objects located nearby, such as galaxies adjacent to bright stars.
What are the notable features of the new Skywatcher 200mm F10 Cassegrain telescope?
This telescope includes a built-in cooling system with a fan to manage temperature variations, a full corrector plate for better edge-of-field performance, and is suitable for both visual astronomy and astrophotography.
What recommendations are provided for observing planetary nebulae?
High magnification, starting with an exit pupil of approximately 1mm, is recommended. While nebula filters can be helpful initially, they may dim the view at higher magnifications, and good seeing conditions are essential for observing details.
Why is the Leo Trio considered a significant observing target?
The Leo Trio, comprising galaxies M65, M66, and NGC 3628, is popular because these galaxies can often be captured together in a low-power field of view, allowing for the observation of their detailed structures.
What makes the new Takahashi FCT 114 telescope noteworthy?
The Takahashi FCT 114 is a 114mm F7.5 triplet apochromat telescope that is exceptionally lightweight for its specifications. Its competitive pricing for a Takahashi triplet positions it as a potentially disruptive product in the market.
Show Notes
Episode 531.
Just a reminder for people to write in with their questions for David Nagler.
Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. actualastronomy@gmail.com
Some binocular astronomy targets:
- M40 - 9.6 Magnitude 1.7'
This is a pair of faint stars located in Ursa Major. They are a tough find in binoculars, and you will be challenged to split them with binoculars. In telescopes, they appear to be an identical pair of stars and easy to split even at low power.
- M108 - 10th Mag. 4x1.7' - Edge on, rich in mottled detail
This galaxy will appear as a thin streak of light in telescopes, there is a definite brightening towards the middle. M108 is a very tough object for the largest binoculars.
- M97 - Owl Nebula - 9.8 mag. 3.4x3.3'
This planetary nebula in Ursa Major, also called the Owl nebula, appears as a fairly large, round, hazy patch of light in a telescope. It is in the same field of view as M108 at low to medium powers. Use averted vision to see the faint glow of the Owl nebula through binoculars. Lorde Ross drawing through his massive scope.
- M109 Theta like spiral - 9th mag. 11x4'
This spiral galaxy in Ursa major appears as a small, oval patch of light. It can be found in the same field of view as Gamma UMa at low to medium power in a telescope. Use large binoculars under good conditions for a chance of seeing this one.
- M106 - large spiral 19x8', Mag. 8.4
This galaxy in Canes Venatici appears as an oval patch of light, larger than M109, with a fairly bright core. A tough, but possible binocular target.
- M95, 96 &105 10th magnitude galaxies in Leo
M95 This galaxy appears as a faint round patch of light with a bright nucleus.
Look for M96 in the same low power telescope field as M95. Another round patch of light, slightly larger and brighter than M95, it too has a stellar core. M105 is a small elliptical galaxy, and can be found in the same low power field as M96. It look like a small fuzzy star. M105 has a close companion galaxy, NGC 3384, which is only slightly smaller and fainter than M105. To prevent confusion, M105 is the closer of the pair to M96. Not possible in binoculars, except maybe with averted "imagination".
- Leo Trio - 3 9th magnitude galaxies
M65 A small, but relatively bright galaxy in Leo. It is an elongated oval patch of light with a bright stellar core. A tough, but possible binocular target.
- M66 A close companion galaxy to M65, it can be seen in the same low to medium power field as M65. M66 is another oval patch of light, brighter and slightly wider than M65. Another possible binocular target. While you are here be sure to look for the a thin streak of light which is the galaxy NGC 3628. It can be found north of M66 in the same low power telescope field as both M65 and M66.
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