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2023-01-12

Condition: VG6

Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

10:15PM

Target: ε Canis Majoris

Const: Canis Major

RaDec: 6h58m -28°58

Scope: ST80

Setting: 150x

Double: AB: 150°

Image

I had a lot of trouble with this one. I think the difference in brightness between the pair, coupled with how low it was on the horizon for me (about 18°) made it difficult. As far as I can tell though, I'm not sure it's going to get any higher on the horizon. My first few guesses for the angle were incorrect. As I kept at it I could eventually see a speck of light pop into view for a split second around the expected angle and just around the outer edge of the "glow" of the primary. I was only able to see it for a split second one or two times. Not very confident with this observation.

10:26PM

Target: M 93

Const: Puppis

RaDec: 7h44m -23°52

Scope: ST80

Setting: 40x

Image

Easy to find and easy to see. The cluster was detectable in my finder scope on approach from τ Canis Majoris. Neat little cluster. The stars seem so small but are still very bright. I'm getting the feeling that there are far more stars than what I can observe though, as I'm seeing a little bit of "noise" in the area of the cluster.

10:31PM

Target: k Puppis

Const: Puppis

RaDec: 7h38m -26°48

Scope: ST80

Setting: 59x

Double: AB: 330° or 150°

Image

Took a while to find, as it wasn't listed as a double in my star chart. Once I spotted it though, the double was clearly visible. Both are very close in brightness and I can't determine which is primary and secondary. I'm logging both possible PA's due to this.

10:44PM

I circled back around to ε Canis Majoris again. I wanted to confirm that the speck of light I recorded the first time was not a trick of the eye. After another 10 minutes of fiddling with it, the speck of light came back for a split second again. Not the best observation, but at least I'm getting consistent results.

At this point my original goal for 2022 is complete! All 110 Messier objects and all 100 Astro League double stars have been observed and logged. This was far more fun than I anticipated when I set out, even though I missed the goal of seeing them all in 2022 by 12 days, I at least got close. Now on to the Caldwell targets and brushing up on my sketching skills!

** 2023-03 March