2022-05-15

• Condition: VG6
• Location: Terry Peak, South Tower: 44.32, -103.83

9:05PM

• Target: α Leonis[1]
• Const: Leo
• RaDec: 10h09m +11°51
• Type: Star (Double)[2]
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 38x
• Double: AB: 330°
• Image: ../images/2022-5-15_AlphaLeonis.jpg[3]

[1] α Leonis (ID)

[2] Star (Double) (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-5-15_AlphaLeonis.jpg

9:15PM

Took a break to observe the lunar eclipse. My first observation of a lunar eclipse with a telescope!

9:53PM

• Target: M 65[1]
• Const: Leo
• RaDec: 11h20m +12°58
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Target: M 66[2]
• Const: Leo
• RaDec: 11h21m +12°52
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 40x

With the moon fully eclipsed. I decided to try my hand at a DSO or two. Picked M65 and M66 at random. Can very clearly see both without need for AV. Slightly brighter centers noticeable.

[1] M 65 (ID)

[2] M 66 (ID)

10:15PM

• Target: M 83, Southern Pinwheel Galaxy[1]
• Const: Hydra
• RaDec: 13h38m -29°58
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Target: M 68[2]
• Const: Hydra
• RaDec: 12h40m -26°52
• Type: Globular Cluster
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 40x
• Image: ../images/2022-5-15_M68-M83.jpg[3]

With the success I had viewing M65 and M66 during the eclipse. I wanted to attempt M68 and M83 since I have a limited window to catch them higher on the horizon. M83 is very faint, being so low on the horizon. AV is required. M68 was promptly found as well. Just as faint as M83, requiring AV. But possibly a little smaller.

Crazy to have found these DSO's during the eclipse! While the observation's weren't as good as I would have hoped it was still memorable to catch the two DSO's that were worrying me this spring during the eclipse!

[1] M 83, Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (ID)

[2] M 68 (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-5-15_M68-M83.jpg