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2024-03-09 Saturday

Condition: VG7

Location: Trails End Ranch, Ekalaka, MT: 45.83, -104.46

We ended activities earlier tonight, which allowed me to setup closer to the cabins giving other staff members, their families, and ranch staff some glimpses of Jupiter and the Orion Nebula.

After everyone went to bed, I hiked my equipment back up to the upper field to get some targets on my list.

09:42PM

Target: NGC 1514, Crystal Ball Nebula

Const: Taurus

RaDec: 04h09m +30.46

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x, Ultrablock

Image

Smaller circle of nebulosity. Non detectable without the use of the Ultrablock filter.

10:17PM

Target: NGC 2359, Thor's Helmet

Const: Canis Major

RaDec: 07h18m -13.14

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x, Ultrablock, AV

Image

Stunning nebula. Marking this one as a favorite. Ultrablock made a big difference. Prolonged AV helped produce glimpses of a definite shape. I could even get indications of concave "bays" and long "peninsulas" projecting outward.

Taking notes on this proved to be difficult, for some reason even the lowest setting on my red-light would momentarily destroy my ability to see the nebula for about 30-45 seconds every time I looked down to my notebook. I've experienced this before with other faint objects, but the effect has never been this drastic before.

This would be a great target for a more 'artistic' sketch. I'll have to remember that for the future.

10:37PM

Target: NGC 2237, Rosette

Const: Monoceros

RaDec: 06h32m +4.59

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x, Ultrablock

Image

AV not needed. The star cluster in the center of the nebula made the shape of a fish (my sketch doesn't do it justice). The nebula has a very uniform brightness across my entire FOV, and almost gives the impression of fog.

I'm going to mark this for a revisit. I believe with my current eye-pieces available, the ST-80 will frame the nebula better and give me better results with the Ultrablock.