NOVICE/URBAN OBSERVING LIST – DECEMBER 2014 The objects in this month’s observing list lie between the celestial coordinates of Right Ascension = 2h and RA = 4h. This section of the sky includes the zodiac constellations of Aries and Taurus. The Milky Way runs through the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia. This section of the sky has three Messier objects – M34, M77, and M45. This month’s list is divided into three levels. The brighter objects, which are relatively easy to find, are in Level 1. The fainter, and more challenging objects, are in Levels 2 and 3. You need only observe 6 objects from any of the levels to qualify for a Certificate of Achievement. Even if you do not have a telescope, being able to identify a double star counts as an observation. LEVEL 1 Alpha Piscium or ”Alrescha”, double star in Pisces, 02h 02.0m, +02° 46, mag = 4.2, 5.1, sep = 1.7 Gamma Andromedae or ”Almach”, double star in Andromeda, 02h 03.9m, +42° 20, mag = 2.3, 5.5, sep = 9.8 Iota (”6”) Trianguli, double star in Triangulum, 02h 12.4m, +30° 18, mag = 5.3, 6.9, sep = 3.9 NGC 869 / NGC 884, the famed ”Double Cluster”, two open clusters in Perseus, 02h 19.0m, +57° 09, mag = 5.3 / 6.1, size = 29.0 / 29.0 Alpha Ursa Minoris, ”Polaris”, double star in Ursa Minor, 02h 31.8m, +89° 16, mag = 2.0, 9.0, sep = 18.4 Beta Persei, ”Algol”, variable star in Perseus, 03h 08.2m, +40° 57, mag = 2.1-3.4 M45, the ”Pleiades” or ”Seven Sisters”, open cluster in Taurus, 03h 46.9m, +24° 07, mag = 1.2, size = 110 (M45 is by far the brightest object in the Messier catalog.) LEVEL 2 Stock 2 (the ”Muscleman Cluster” or “Stick Man”), open cluster in Cassiopeia, 02h 15.0m, +59° 16, mag = 4.4, size = 60.0 M34, open cluster in Perseus, 2h 42.0m, 42° 47’, mag = 6.0, size = 35.0 ”Kembles Cascade”, nearly linear asterism in Camelopardalis, 03h 57m, 63° 00, mag = 5 to10, size = 120 (Look for NGC 1502 is you are using GoTo.) LEVEL 3 Tr 2, open cluster in Perseus, 02h 37.3m, +55° 59, mag = 5.9, size = 20.0 M77, galaxy in Cetus, 02h 42.7m, -00° 01, mag = 8.8, size = 6.9 x 5.9 NGC 1342, open cluster in Perseus, 03h 31.6m, +37° 20, mag = 6.7, size = 14.0 NOTES: See notes and images from Eric Teske for Stock 2 - ericteske/2013/12/the-muscleman-cluster-stock-2-open.html To qualify for the Novice/Urban Observing List, you must observe at least 6 of the objects. Members are encouraged to find at least one of these objects without the use of GoTo so that they become more familiar with the night sky. If you successfully observe at least 6 of the objects, please contact Phil Dimpelfeld (philip.dimpelfeld@yahoo). Let Phil know how many of the objects you were able to observe. You will be e-mailed a certificate recognizing your accomplishment.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:38:17 +0000
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