2022-07-17

Condition: G7

Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

10:21PM

Target: M 10

Const: Ophiuchus

RaDec: 16h57m -4°6

Scope: ST80

Setting: 40x

Image

Found by slewing to κ Ophiuchi and reducing declination. Pretty bright, AV is not necessary but seems to help accentuate the core more than the periphery.

10:30PM

Target: M 12

Const: Ophiuchus

RaDec: 16h47m -1°57

Scope: ST80

Setting: 50x

Image

Appears to be more dim than M10. Despite this, it's overall shape seems to be more apparent and distinct. I'm seeing a defined 'cone' or 'triangle' shape to this cluster.

10:40PM

Target: M 14

Const: Ophiuchus

RaDec: 17h37m -3°15

Scope: ST80

Setting: 40x

Image

Found by increasing RA from M12 and using star patterns to verify my location. Smaller and more dim than the other two, AV isn't required but also isn't doing much to pull more detail from this cluster.

10:50PM

Target: M 102

Const: Draco

RaDec: 15h06m +55°46

Scope: ST80

Setting: 50x, AV

Image

So hard to see, AV is required. After some time, the elongation and size became more apparent. After even more time, I began to see a brighter 'streak', made by pin-points of light that cut straight through the oval long-wise. This may have been the most detail I've been able to get out of a difficult DSO!

Was my first night not calibrating to Polaris prior to viewing. I positioned in a different location in the backyard to get a better view of the southern hemisphere. From this new location, Polaris was completely obstructed by one of our ash trees. I attempted a 'rough' alignment by pointing north and to 44° degrees latitude and it turned out better than expected. I was worried that my RA and DEC movements when star-hopping would be less predictable, but they were still close enough to be effective. Not having to rely on Polaris every session will open up more possibilities of viewing angles from my yard! Also noticed that I was able to make out some of the strip of the Milky Way from my backyard, now that I know what I'm looking for.