[PlanetMan]

Hi all,
We finally got a clear night here in So. Cal. so I took the opportunity to do some spring cruising with the Stellacam. Basically started out in Ursa Major and followed the galaxies on down through Canes Venatici, Leo, and on into Virgo. From the backyard, mag 4 skies, clear but not very transparent with a lot of moisture in the air. Some highlights:

M97 - Owl Nebula. Surprisingly dim -- fainter than many galaxies. But the "owl eyes" were still distict. Overall, quite pretty.

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy. One of my all-time favorites. Nice spiral arms with the "bridge" just visible. Fits on the screen perfectly at f/3.3 and is just stunning. I can't wait to try again under dark skies...

NGC 4244 - Silver Needle Galaxy. Not too well defined, but a beautiful, thin streak running almost all the way across the FOV.

NGC 4449 - Box Galaxy. One of my new favorites. Sort of rectangular-shaped but formed almost entirely of bright clumps and knots. Very, very interesting.

M104 - Sombrero Galaxy. Small and bright with a prominent dust lane. Despite the moniker, I find the sombrero to be a very regal-looking galaxy.

M3 - Globular. My last target with the camera. This is a great "eyepiece" target, but the view with the camera just blew me away. Resolved to the core like millions of little glistening crystals. I tried to capture an image on the camcorder but I couldn't get it setup right. I think the video plug might not have been pushed in far enough because I was getting a buzzing sound from the camcorder (video feed into the audio portion of the jack?) Hopefully I can try again Wednesday night.

I ended the night on Juputer without the camera; my first good look at her this year. She was still a little too low (and way down south this year) for a great view, but the seeing wasn't too bad. No GRS, but the moons were aligned in a nice pattern that made for a rather peaceful scene.

[JonathanSQ]

Good report, Craig I wish I could see the spiral arms on M51
So far best I've seen is a bright blog w/ another blog (bright vs. later viewing of it)

Be sure to share some of those images with us

[aristaeus63]

Nice report Craig. I also would like to see the images.

How do you like that 9.25 s-gt. It is a scope I have considered purchasing in the future. Do you think the additional cost above the C8 is worth it for the additional aperature?

Andreas

[PlanetMan]

aristaeus63, on Mar 8 2005, 08:22 PM, said:

...Do you think the additional cost above the C8 is worth it for the additional aperature?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Honestly, I bought the scope more on reputation than anything else. I wanted an EQ mount SCT in the 8" to 10" range and this one had the best reviews. So far I've not been dissapointed -- it's compared favorablely in the field with 10" SCTs and 10" and larger dobs. I've never been side-by-side with a C8, however, so I really can't tell you from first hand experience. I will say that it is quite a bit bigger, heavier, and louder than the 8i. Something to consider if portablility is high on your list.

[chris3425]

Great report, the C9.25 is a fantastic scope. Wish the weather would clear so I could use mine more.

[Larry375]

Nice report, Craig. M97 is one of my favorites. Spring is indeed on the way!! It better be, cause I have an inch of ice all over my yard and observing area....

[Mo]

Terrific report, Craig. Sounds like a great evening! I've yet to see M3 or M97, and quite a few others on your list. I recently found the 'double smudge' for the first time, though! I couldn't make out the spiral arms in my 8" dob, but it was still an awesome sight to see! Looking forward to the images.

[Messier13]

Stupid question time: what is a stellacam?

Some great objects you saw there, try ngc 4565 where you enxt in the area, it's an amazing galaxy to view.

[PlanetMan]

Larry375, on Mar 9 2005, 08:09 AM, said:

Nice report, Craig.  M97 is one of my favorites.  Spring is indeed on the way!!  It better be, cause I have an inch of ice all over my yard and observing area....
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Man, we're such weather wimps here in So. Cal. I sometimes think twice when it's even in the 40's... I really can't wait to see M97 in dark skies. I bet it looks almost spooky.

[PlanetMan]

Messier13, on Mar 9 2005, 09:26 AM, said:

Stupid question time: what is a stellacam?

Some great objects you saw there, try ngc 4565 where you enxt in the area, it's an amazing galaxy to view.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Stellacam is a B&W deep-sky video camera. It uses a very sensitive chip and a hand controller for changing camera settings like gain and gamma. The coolest feature, however, is that the camera can integrate (accumulate) frames to bring out fainter objects. This is also adjustable on the hand controller from single frame (normal video) to 256 frames (about 8 to 10 seconds of accumulation). I view the output on a 10" B&W security monitor. I've only used it a few times, but my best guess is that it gives me an equivalent aperture of about 20 to 24 inches with my 9.25" scope.

I will definetly give ngc 4565 a look -- I was just checking it out in my Caldwell book. I hope to get back out tonight.

[Zeldaman2004]

Nice report, especially since it had M51 in it! Gotta love that galaxy...