Southern Sentinel Observing Report

Monday 19th April 2004

 

 

 

Date:           19 April 2004 (Local)

Time:           0830-1015 NZDT (UT +12)

Location:     Mt Donald McLean, Waitakare.

                    35 Minutes From Home.

Weather:     Occasional Breeze. Hazy but Clear to the South.

Seeing:        Limiting Magnitude 5.0, transparency 2.5/5, seeing 3/5

Moon:          No Moon (New Moon)

Equipment:  13.1 Inch Dobsonian, TeleVue Paracorr & Eyepieces & Lumicon Filters

After a great weekend at Waharau, the evening was clear enough to warrant a trip out but the usual places were likely to be cloudy, so the only option was to head West into the Waitakares. The cloud and wind was coming in from the East.

Dave Moorhouse and Guy Thornley decided to come out as well. It was decided that we would go out to Mt Douglas McLean, a high hill to the west of the city, far enough to allow the light pollution to not be a factor.

Cloud greeted us at the 320 metre high observing spot. Dave decided that he was going to flag observing due to the longer setup time and there was no guarantee there would be any observing. He left at 8:45 PM.

The conditions did warrant setting up so I did so. It was clear to the south and I decided to work the Large Magellanic Cloud. I probably should have set up earlier than I did.

ObjectTypeMagnificationNotes
NGC 2074Bright Nebula76xExtensive nebulosity southwest of the Trantula. Enhanced with the UHC. Nebulosity profuse in this region of the LMC.
NGC 2086Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. IC 2145 is grouped towards the centre of NGC 2077 along with two smaller patches NGC 2085 & NGC 2086.
NGC 2085Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. IC 2145 is grouped towards the centre of NGC 2077 along with two smaller patches NGC 2085 & NGC 2086.
NGC 2084Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. This patch is the southern most group in NGC 2076. 4 individual patches make up this strongly condensed region. NGC's 2078, 2079, 2083 & 2084.
NGC 2083Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. This patch is the southern most group in NGC 2076. 4 individual patches make up this strongly condensed region. NGC's 2078, 2079, 2083 & 2084.
NGC 2080Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Tarantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. NG C2080 is the bright patch on the northern side. Strongly condensed. Hartungs Object.
NGC 2079Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. This patch is the southern most group in NGC 2076. 4 individual patches make up this strongly condensed region. NGC's 2078, 2079, 2083 & 2084.
NGC 2078Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. This patch is the southern most group in NGC 2076. 4 individual patches make up this strongly condensed region. NGC's 2078, 2079, 2083 & 2084.
NGC 2077Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. NGC 2077 is the overall complex.
IC 2145Bright Nebula76xNebulous region 1/2 Deg South of the Trantula. Intensely detailed with the UHC and clearly visible without the filter. Individual notches are also given NGC numbers. IC 2145 is grouped towards the centre of NGC 2077 along with two smaller patches NGC 2085 & NGC 2086.
NGC 2516Open Cluster76xBright Open Cluster. Naked eye and the only object really visible as some cloud passes through.
NGC 2048Bright Nebula76xSmall patch of nebulosity which reacts strongly to the UHC filter. Object is about 5 arc minutes across and easy. Hazy nebulosity in the region spreading towards the open clusters to the SW.
NGC 2037Open Cluster76xOne of two close open clusters with associated nebulosity. Nebulosity is faint but seen easily through UHC filter.
NGC 2033Open Cluster76xOne of two close open clusters with associated nebulosity. Nebulosity is faint but seen easily through UHC filter.
NGC 2005Globular Cluster76xFairly bright globular cluster with no stars resolved. Probably could be push to a higher power for examination at a later date.
NGC 1986Open Cluster76xSmall open cluster not resolved.
NGC 1972Open Cluster76xCompact grouping of open clusters. NGC1969, 1971 & 1972. Looks nebulous but no nebulosity confirmed with the UHC.
NGC 1971Open Cluster76xCompact grouping of open clusters. NGC1969, 1971 & 1972. Looks nebulous but no nebulosity confirmed with the UHC.
NGC 1969Open Cluster76xCompact grouping of open clusters. NGC1969, 1971 & 1972. Looks nebulous but no nebulosity confirmed with the UHC.
NGC 1959Open Cluster76xSmall compact open cluster. Not resolved at this power.
NGC 1958Globular Cluster76xSmall globular. Diffcult to spot.
NGC 1950Open Cluster76xSmall pen cluster but larger than the nearby clusters. Not resolved.
NGC 2009Open Cluster76xSmall hazy spot. Unresolved open cluster.
NGC 1984Open Cluster76xOne of three small open clusters 1 degree west of the Trantula. Uresolved.
NGC 1983Open Cluster76xOne of three small open clusters 1 degree west of the Trantula. Uresolved.
NGC 1967Open Cluster76xOne of three small open clusters 1 degree west of the Trantula. Uresolved.
NGC 1966Bright Nebula76xLarge nebula complex about 1.2 degrees west of the Trantula. This nebula is enhanced by the UHC Filter and stretches about 10 arc minutes to the SE. There are two distinct bright patches inside NGC 1966. These are NGC 1965 and NGC 1970.
NGC 1936Bright Nebula76xNebulae complex involving 3 distinct bright patches extending 7 arc minutes in each direction. Patches are listed in the NGC catalog as 1936, 1935 & 1934. There is some faint nebulousity in the ENE. Another patch of nebulosity is listed as NGC 1929.

NGC 1935Bright Nebula76xNebulae complex involving 3 distinct bright patches extending 7 arc minutes in each direction. Patches are listed in the NGC catalog as 1936, 1935 & 1934. There is some faint nebulousity in the ENE. Another patch of nebulosity is listed as NGC 1929. Hartungs object.

NGC 1934Bright Nebula76xNebulae complex involving 3 distinct bright patches extending 7 arc minutes in each direction. Patches are listed in the NGC catalog as 1936, 1935 & 1934. There is some faint nebulousity in the ENE. Another patch of nebulosity is listed as NGC 1929.
NGC 1929Bright Nebula76xNebulae complex involving 3 distinct bright patches extending 7 arc minutes in each direction. Patches are listed in the NGC catalog as 1936, 1935 & 1934. There is some faint nebulousity in the ENE. Another patch of nebulosity is listed as NGC 1929.
IC 2128Open Cluster76xSmall open cluster that comes to life when viewed through the UHC. Large nebulous patch seen and extends up to the NW to another complex of NGC nebulae.
NGC 1974Open Cluster76xA string of open clusters NGC1955, 1965 & 1974. NGC 2004 is further to the E. Extensive nebulosity surrounds the NGC1965/1974 area. Confirming with the DSS, nebulosity is quite detailed in this region.
NGC 1968Open Cluster76xA string of open clusters NGC1955, 1965 & 1974. NGC 2004 is further to the E. Extensive nebulosity surrounds the NGC1965/1974 area. Confirming with the DSS, nebulosity is quite detailed in this region. Ngc1968 contains the brightest patch of nebulosity.
NGC 1955Open Cluster76xA string of open clusters NGC1955, 1965 & 1974. NGC 2004 is further to the E.
NGC 2040Bright Nebula76xA beautiful nebulae complex containing 4 NGC designations. NGC's 2029, 2032, 2035 & 2040 with 2040 and 2035 being the brightest and largest.
NGC 2035Bright Nebula76xA beautiful nebulae complex containing 4 NGC designations. NGC's 2029, 2032, 2035 & 2040 with 2040 and 2035 being the brightest and largest.
NGC 2032Bright Nebula76xA beautiful nebulae complex containing 4 NGC designations. NGC's 2029, 2032, 2035 & 2040 with 2040 and 2035 being the brightest and largest. Hartungs Object.
NGC 2029Bright Nebula76xA beautiful nebulae complex containing 4 NGC designations. NGC's 2029, 2032, 2035 & 2040 with 2040 and 2035 being the brightest and largest. Nice wispy nebulosity seen in this part with the UHC filter.
NGC 2041Open Cluster76xCompact globular looking object. Fairly bright and condensed.
NGC 2034Open Cluster76xOne of two small open clusters in the same field. Small and nondescript.
NGC 2027Open Cluster76xOne of two small open clusters in the same field. Small and nondescript.
NGC 2109Open Cluster76xThree small open clusters (2096, 2098 & 2109) of equal shape and brightness just N of the Tarantula Nebula.
NGC 2098Open Cluster76xThree small open clusters (2096, 2098 & 2109) of equal shape and brightness just N of the Tarantula Nebula.
NGC 2098Open Cluster76xThree small open clusters (2096, 2098 & 2109) of equal shape and brightness just N of the Tarantula Nebula.
NGC 1928Open Cluster76xThree small open clusters (1922, 1926 & 1928) near a small quadalateral of evenly bright stars. Non resolved and very compact in a starry field.
NGC 1926Open Cluster76xThree small open clusters (1922, 1926 & 1928) near a small quadalateral of evenly bright stars. Non resolved and very compact in a starry field.
NGC 1922Open Cluster76xThree small open clusters (1922, 1926 & 1928) near a small quadalateral of evenly bright stars. Non resolved and very compact in a starry field.
NGC 1921Bright Nebula76xSmall patch on nebulosity. The more extensive patch is 10 arc minutes to the N not associated with any number. Easy in the UHC filter.
NGC 1913Open Cluster76xSmall cluster with a twin visible on the other side of the nearby star to the SW. No designation for the object seen but appears on the DSS plate.
NGC 1917Globular Cluster76xSmall globular like object similar to the other open clusters to the SW of NGC1910 but classified as a globular.
NGC 1916Open Cluster76xVery dense open cluster, globular like and unresolved.
NGC 1910Open Cluster76xCluster with nebulosity. Bright and large this cluster has large patches on unclassified nebulosity inside it's boundries. Very nicely enhanced with the UHC Filter. The cluster is resolved and has 11th mag members.
NGC 1903Open Cluster76xVery dense open cluster, globular like and unresolved.
NGC 1885Open Cluster76xFaint open cluster that requires adverted vision to detect.
NGC 1881Open Cluster76xTiny open cluster with a bridge of nebulosity that crosses to the bright nebulous cluster NGC1872. Nebulosity only seen with the assistance of the UHC filter.
NGC 1877Open Cluster76xMessy compact nebulous patch with open clusters involved. NGC1974 & 1976 are bright and are the most nebulous of the patches. NGC 1980 is a little detached but is involved with the resolvable cluster NGC1977 and the nebulosity is enhanced by the UHC filter.
NGC 1877Open Cluster76xMessy compact nebulous patch with open clusters involved. NGC1974 & 1976 are bright and are the most nebulous of the patches. NGC 1980 is a little detached but is involved with the resolvable cluster NGC1977 and the nebulosity is enhanced by the UHC filter.
NGC 1876Open Cluster76xMessy compact nebulous patch with open clusters involved. NGC1974 & 1976 are bright and are the most nebulous of the patches. NGC 1980 is a little detached but is involved with the resolvable cluster NGC1977 and the nebulosity is enhanced by the UHC filter.
NGC 1874Bright Nebula76xMessy compact nebulous patch with open clusters involved. NGC1974 & 1976 are bright and are the most nebulous of the patches. NGC 1980 is a little detached but is involved with the resolvable cluster NGC1977 and the nebulosity is enhanced by the UHC filter.
NGC 1872Open Cluster76xNGC 1972 is another example of a cluster whose nebulosity steals the show. Small and insignificant but the nebulosity is strong and further enhances the region down to the E towards the tiny NGC1881.
NGC 1858Open Cluster76xThe cluster is unremarkable but the nebulosity is details and spellbounding.
NGC 1856Open Cluster76xBright globular cluster looking object. Condensed and unresolved at this power.
NGC 1854Globular Cluster76xSmall but bright globular cluster tucked between the bright nebulous regions on NGC 1850 & NGC 1858.
NGC 1850Open Cluster76xLarge cluster with nebulosity. Very strong UHC filter response. Cluster disappears when using the UHC. Very nice object.
NGC 1847Open Cluster76xSmall open cluster of no real note. In the region of some nice nebulosity which makes this cluster look ordinary.

 

All told, I got 75 minutes of observing despite the odd cloud bank that did scuttle through, the LMC remained clear most of the evening. Despite the hazy conditions, an excellent run was had through this region. I only observed with the 22mm Nagler without the Paracorr. I also did not set up the dew heaters and this assisted in a quick setup and pack up times. The finder although setup was not needed.

Starhopping through the LMC was a fantastic experience. The awesome nature of the nebulosity in this region is breathtaking. The UHC filter worked it’s weight in gold. Flicking between the UHC and the unassisted view using the Filterslide proved very convenient. The OIII filter was darkened the whole view too much, probably due to the conditions more than anything.

With so much amazing objects I cannot single out any one object but the nebulosity groupings were just amazing.

After some so many nights out observing it was incredible not to have logged objects extensively in the LMC already. Although a lot of objects were observed there are so many more to go. Learning some of these objects will be good to show other people the LMC is so much more than the Tarantula

Cheers.

Paul Kemp

3.1" Reflector

Auckland, New Zealand

36° 55' 09 " South, 174° 43' 30" East

 

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