|
Herschel Objects
15
A few years ago, I completed my decades-long project to observe the objects discovered by William Herschel. As part of that effort, I compiled the attached spreadsheet that contains extensive data on the Herschel objects. It occurs to me that it may be of interest to some on this list. It took considerable effort to compile and I’d be pleased if someone can make use of it. The information comes from a number of sources including the websites of Wolfgang Steinicke, Harold Corwin, and Steve Gottlieb as well as Greg Crinklaw’s Sky Tools program. Any errors are mine. Below is a description of what is contained in the spreadsheet: Tab: LIST contains data for 2,517 objects that William Herschel discovered or independently found, including descriptions. Tab: Non-Existent lists the 106 or so Herschel objects that the NGC lists as non-existent with explanations for that designation and current status based on the research of Steinicke, Corwin, and Gottlieb, and a few others. Tab: Steinicke Add are the objects not generally attributed to Herschel that probably should be included based on the research of Wolfgang Steinicke. Tab: Stars are those supposedly nebulous Herschel objects that are just stars. Tab: Discovery lists the discovery date referenced to the Herschel catalog and NGC designations Tab: Notes contains information on the Herschel catalogs and object classifications and several other pertinent data such as the original discovery data (for objects for which Herschel does not have primacy). It also contains some extensive notes (Steve Gottlieb’s summaries) for Herschel discovered objects without Herschel designations. There are also statistical summaries and notes on duplications and other anomalies in the catalogs. Tab: Abbreviations lists the standard NGC/IC abbreviations used for the object descriptions in the spreadsheet. Tab: A.L. List is the data on the 2,381 (now 2,379) objects that the Astronomical League recognizes as legitimate Herschel objects for their Herschel Society certificates. The objects in the “Herschel 400” and “Herschel II” are identified as are the 74 objects discovered in a single night (April 11, 1785) that constitute the “Herschel Hustle”. I logged my first Herschel object on February 3, 1992 using an 8-inch SCT from Virginia Beach, VA, and the last one on March 30, 2019 with my 30-inch from my observatory outside of Sierra Vista AZ. The 27-year span is misleading as it really didn’t become a goal to observe the whole list until about 2015 or so. It was actually a consequence of my larger (still ongoing) effort to view all the NGC and IC objects visible from my home observatory. Ted Forte Herschel 400 Program certificate #298 June 4, 2004 (400 objects) Herschel II Program certificate #48 September 25, 2006 (400 additional objects) Herschel Society Silver Certificate August, 26, 2018 (1,200 objects total) Herschel Society Gold Certificate April 9, 2019 (2,379 objects total)
|
|
https://www.stellar-events.org/chesapeake-bay-stargazing-cruises / Scam?
2
Hey all. I'm one of the group members who hasn't shown up in a while, so if you don't recognize my name that's understandable. I need some help: A friend keeps telling me I should book a "stargazing trip" with the subject website, but something feels off about it, much like how a scam presents online. Are you familiar with this site? Thanks. -Scott Cadwell celldaws@...
|
|
BBAA Meeting Zoom Link 4-3-25
Here is the zoom link for those who wish to attend tonight's meeting remotely Richard Roberts is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: BBAA Meeting Time: Apr 3, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every month on the First Thu, until Apr 2, 2026, 13 occurrence(s) Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYrcuCsrzIqGtbq0KWBV25JEbU6csIcs3G6/ics?icsToken=DD5TeBkgeufy8tH0MwAALAAAAJXMOljXXs5DwcMUh8vszrvFJKZ-JuEEoZbKc9nchKcL3bozrV9ABH8jLgx-ShJ4oIQ5rr28dCgoP6QlrjAwMDAwMQ Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82659419002?pwd=TJ96jGZPb3q2rk4rBhncVaCeAam0g5.1 Meeting ID: 826 5941 9002 Passcode: 471443 ---
|
|
BBAA April 2025 Update
3
Good evening, friends, and welcome to April! We just had a great East Coast Star Party - and that's no fooling! Special thanks to: - Bruce Powers for chairing the ECSP Committee (herding cats in straight lines), obtaining some amazing prizes for the picnic, and coordinating the phenomenal restoration of power to the field and the new restroom! - Shawn Loescher for being the on-the-spot go-to mover and shaker in getting the field setup and keeping the whole event running smoothly and keeping me sane while we tried to figure out what "endless hotdogs" looked like. - Jeff Goldstein for his exceptional prowess as our Italian chef and single-handedly pulling off the reprise of the spaghetti dinner! - Rich Roberts for quietly and patiently supporting the committee's antics, processing an embarrassing number of small receipts, and swooping in to snatch victory from the jaws of a port-o-potty company's poor communication. - Kent Blackwell, for starting a legendary party and inspiring a small army to attempt to pull off what he managed on his own! - Our hosts, Park Manager Trevor Johnston for helping arrange the Party and getting the repairs done, Ranger Joel Morris for supporting a public night of over 50 visitors, and Ranger John Savage for ensuring our spaces were setup, clean, and ready for us! If you haven't already, please consider recognizing one (or all) of them at: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/other/customer-service. This week, we will have our monthly club meeting at TCC Virginia Beach's Science Building. In addition to the usual excitement of business matters, observing reports (including those from the Star Party!) and door prizes, we have two additional key points: - Our own Vice President, Jeff Goldstein, will be sharing his formidable skills as an Astronomer Outreach coordinator and educator par excellence to teach a topic on Planning and Executing Astronomy Outreach - The Georgie June Scholarship raffle drawing will take place! As a reminder, tickets will still be available for $5 each up until the drawing, with a prize of a Celestron StarSense 114AZ newtonian reflector and equipped with a solar filter, a zoom eyepiece and other neat accessories! After the raffle, we'll still happily accept $5 in exchange for commemorative tickets. Upcoming Club and Outreach Events: - 2 Apr (6pm): Malibu Elementary School Science Night - 3 Apr (7:30pm): Club Meeting at TCC Virginia Beach - 8 Apr (8:30pm): Garden Stars at Norfolk Botanical Gardens - 9 Apr (7:45pm): Astronomy 101 at Kempsville Rec Center - 11 Apr (11am): STEM Day at Deep Creek Elementary School - 12 Apr (10am): Saturday SUNday at Elizabeth River Park - 18 Apr (7:30pm): Cornwatch at Cornland Park - 19 Apr (7:45pm): Skywatch at Northwest River Park - 19 Apr (6pm): Earth Day Movie Night at New Quarter Park (Williamsburg, VA) - 25 Apr (7:45pm): Cornwatch at Cornland Park (Yes, TWO this month!) - 26 Apr (7:45pm): Nightwatch at Chippokes State Park Upcoming Astronomical Events: - 10 Apr: Venus becomes stationary, then resumes prograde motion - 22 Apr: Peak of the Lyrids - 27 Apr: Venus (morning star) at maximum illumination I strongly encourage anyone who is able to make it to go to an outreach event or two. Even the newest amateur astronomer can help share your love of the skies and enjoy the warmth of someone else's wonder! Eyes up and clear skies! Jeremy
|
|
Thanks for the nice star party and thanks to those who made it happen.
12
Thank you to Jeffery, Shawn, Bruce, Jeremy, and all others who made the star party come off. If we could remember to post the site to thank the park and commend a ranger on the IO group chat that would be nice. It may be on facebook already as that seems to be the main way of communications but being on IO (not facebook) I don't want to miss the ability to thank the park. Once again thank you to the organizers.
|
|
ECSP dates?
5
Memory sometimes fails me...but didn't spring ECSP used to be in May? Seems like lots more people would have attended if it were in May, not in the windy month of March and in direct conflict with SRSP. Of course there may have be other circumstances that dictated the March date. Stu
|
|
Garden Star April 8
It looks like we will have a full house for next week's Garden Stars. Already 30 people have registered for the event. So far only my name is on the RSVP list, but I'm sure we will have more club members participating. George George Reynolds "Solar System Ambassador" for South Hampton Roads, Virginia Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA) http://www.backbayastro.org
|
|
Fw: Thank you for Recognizing a Ranger
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: do.not.reply@... <do.not.reply@...> To: "jimcoble2000@..." <jimcoble2000@...> Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 09:22:55 AM EDT Subject: Thank you for Recognizing a Ranger Thank you for taking time to help us recognize one of our staff who exceeded your customer service expectations. Please be assured that the employee will receive your positive comments and be recognized by their supervisor and Virginia State Park management. Adam Bresnehan Chair, Customer Service Working Group
|
|
We had a very good time at East Coast Star Party (ECSP) March 27-29. The skies were clear Thursday night and mostly clear Friday evening. The brisk winds all kept the dew away every night. Friday's open house was successful with about 50 guests from the Chippokes State Park Campground. Hats off to the entire ECSP committee. Special thanks to Jeff Goldstein for making the spaghetti dinner Friday night. Thanks to Jeremy Mitchell for cooking burgers and hot dogs for the Saturday cookout, and a special thanks for all the effort put forth by Shawn Loescher. Bruce Powers deserves mention for getting ECSP rolling again. Here are a few pictures of the party, and some pictures I snapped on a nature walk along the James River.
|
|
Mark Ost just pulled up to Chippokes State Park for ECSP 2025.
|
|
We had a good time last night at the East Coast Star Party at Chippokes State Park near Surrry, Virginia. We were treated to a traditional ECSP spaghetti dinner early on. About 50 campers in the campground came to look through our telescopes from 7-10 pm. Here are some objects I showed the campers through my telescope. List: 25/03/25 ECSP2 10” Jupiter (Planet in Taurus) Messier 41 (Open Cluster in Canis Major) Messier 35 (Open Cluster in Gemini) Bode's Nebulae - M 81 (Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major) Bode's Nebulae - M 82 (Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major) Ghost of Jupiter Nebula - NGC 3242 (Planetary Nebula in Hydra) Eskimo Nebula - NGC 2392 (Planetary Nebula in Gemini) Messier 93 (Open Cluster in Puppis) NGC 2467 (Open Cluster in Puppis) NGC 2467 (Bright Nebula in Puppis) Messier 48 (Open Cluster in Hydra) NGC 2506 (Open Cluster in Monoceros) NGC 2539 (Open Cluster in Puppis)
|
|
I will be missing the ECSP
5
I signed up for the party, but my wife, Lynne, fell. She dislocated and broke her left ankle. She is currently in an external fixation device and in Riverside rehab hospital in Yorktown. She is scheduled another surgery to repair ankle April 1st. Hope everyone has a great time, and Clear Dark Skies. I will miss seeing everyone! Bob Beuerlein
|
|
Two good deep sky objects
3
We'll have numerous deep sky objects to observe this weekend at ECSP, but there are two particularly well suited to small as well as larger apertures. NGC 3115, aka The Spindle Galaxy in Sextans. The thin edge-on galaxy is quite a treat in modest to large telescopes. NGC 3424, aka The Ghost of Jupiter in Hydra. An awesome planetary nebula with very high surface brightness. I observed it last night in Virginia Beach at 500. Look for the brighter central portion shaped much like the "CBS-Eye". Kent Blackwell
|
|
Skinny Venus!
2
We had a nice view of a very slender 1.3% Illuminated crescent of Venus yesterday afternoon at a small gathering in my backyard. I have never seen it so slender and so close to the sun.
|
|
Photo by Georg Klingersberger posted on Spaceweather. A little too close for visual. He used projection to get it. Nice work.
|
|
We had a good turnout Saturday night at Northwest River Park in Chesapeake VA. Here are some of the objects I enjoyed viewing with my trusty 2002 Orion Dobsonian telescope. List: 25/03/22 BBAA NW River Park Messier 41 (Open Cluster in Canis Major) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 7:56:43 PM Comment: Even at dusk M 41 looked beautiful. I estimated at least 50 bright stars Location: NWvRiver Park Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Jupiter (Planet in Taurus) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:01:25 PM Comment: Jupiter looked a bit fuzzy at 120x. No shadow transits and no GRS tonight Location: NW River Park SQM-L 16.8 64° H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Uranus (Planet in Taurus) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:02:35 PM Comment: Despite mediocre seeing conditions, Uranus remained interesting for its distinctive color, if nothing else Location: NW River Park SQM-L 16.8 64° H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Pleiades - M 45 (Open Cluster in Taurus) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:03:59 PM Comment: It's always a joy to see all the pretty multiple stars in the Pleiades Location: NW River Park SQM-L 16.8 64° H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Kaffaljidhma - Gamma Cet (Double Star in Cetus) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:10:38 PM Comment: 2.0" This is worth observing if only for the difficult name to pronounce. Not only a close pair, but it also has a three magnitudes contrast Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Cetus A - M 77 (Spiral Galaxy in Cetus) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:13:24 PM Comment: Unfortunately M 77 was low in the western sky so dimmed by the atmosphere. Shawn Loescher confirmed the observation Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 64° H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Orion Nebula - M 42 (Bright Nebula in Orion) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:19:32 PM Comment: Wow! It's so good to see M 42 in a dark sky. Shawn Loescher and I both saw the 5th Trapezium star, but not the 6th. We could not see it in Jonathan Scheetz' 8" Celestron SCT either. Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Flame Nebula - NGC 2024 (Bright Nebula in Orion) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:31:37 PM Comment: Quite illusive, but Shawn Loescher and I were able to see faint nebulosity when rocking the scope back and forth. Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Beta Monocerotis (Variable Double Star in Monoceros) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:33:24 PM Comment: 7.2" Beautiful, equal pair of 5th magnitude blue-white stars Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 NGC 2244 (Open Cluster in Monoceros) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:35:07 PM Comment: Incredibly rich 5th magnitude open cluster involved with The Rosette Nebula. Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Rosette Nebula - NGC 2239 (Bright Nebula in Monoceros) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:37:50 PM Comment: Not easily seen with just a 10" in suburban skies, but definitely visible, especially on the western side. Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 64° H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Messier 47 (Open Cluster in Puppis) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:54:58 PM Comment: Rich open cluster. I showed it to visitors Mike and his young son Billie. Location: NW River Park Chesapeake VA SQM-L 20.4 H 38% Equipment: 10" Orion IntelliScope f/4.6, 10mm Pentax Seeing: 7 Transparency: 9 Messier 46 (Open Cluster in Puppis) Observed: Mar 22, 2025 at 8:59:29 PM Comment: Fainter tha
|
|
“LIVE - Giant Solar Storms” on YouTube
5
I stumbled on a YouTube recording of the huge solar prominence we saw yesterday – this is apparently from an amateur astronomer but he has way better solar facilities than any of us. It’s listed as by Chuck’s Astrophotography in Detroit, and the video length is about 35 minutes. No link available so if you’d like to see, search YouTube for the title in the subject above. And btw the prominence is now gone.
|
|
SRSP
15
Ian...I was all ready to attend the spring star party when I fell in the concrete driveway and broke my arm this Friday so I won't see you guys this SP. Maybe in October. Stu
|
|
Big Solar Prominence in H-alpha!
3
Largest for months – it’s curved over back toward the solar disk, about 45K miles tall, 100K miles long. See it on Gong too: https://gong2.nso.edu/products/tableView/table.php?configFile=configs/hAlpha.cfg
|
|
Roy what do you figure? 62,137 miles high. Now that is using a scales superimposed on the sun as a guide but I think I am close.
|
Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am