2022-08-18

9:38PM

These targets near Polaris are a little tricky with the GEM. Found by centering between ζ and ε Ursae Minoris, then turning RA to the approximate location. The pair are similar in magnitude, but the secondary appears to be more yellow in color.

[1] 40/41 Draconis (ID)

[2] Star (Double) (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-8-18_40_41Draconis.jpg

10:07PM

Primary seems much brighter than the secondary. The secondary keeps "popping" in and out of view.

[1] 70 Ophiuchi (ID)

[2] Star (Double) (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-8-18_70Ophiucus.jpg

10:17PM

Can see three or four stars in the cluster easily. AV produces a glow around these stars. Fairly small in size.

[1] M 26 (ID)

[2] Open Cluster (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-8-18_M26.jpg

10:24PM

AV is totally not required. Even still, a ton of details are coming through. Shape is almost cone-like?

[1] M 11, Wild Duck Cluster (ID)

[2] Open Cluster (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-8-18_M11.jpg

10:30PM

Easy to find, both are near similar magnitude but exactly the same color. Looks like two eyes staring back at me!

[1] Θ Serpentis (ID)

[2] Star (Double) (ID)

[3] ../images/2022-8-18_ThetaSerpens.jpg

10:49PM

As a treat to finish off the night, I took a look at Saturn for my first time! I could clearly make out the rings at 60x before zooming in. So cool. I'm catching three bits of light around it, possibly three moons?

[1] ../images/2022-8-18_Saturn.jpg

11:20PM

Following close behind Saturn tonight is Vesta 4, my first Astroid! I had to wait a bit for it to appear from behind a tree. I also had to use Stellarium to help me locate and track it. Similar to a star in appearance, but the light seems more subtle and spread out. Not super impressive to look at, but still cool!