h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Same story here. On Tuesday I did go out with the binnies long enough to find M36,M37, M38 in Auriga and one of my favourite sky objects, M44 Praesepe. Mars was also looking good. So that probably makes my current total 6 I think. New moon coming up on Sunday should make for a dark sky. So if it stays clear I hope to reboot this marathon effort over the weekend.

MC (6)

I made it out for the first time in quite a while.

Had a look for and got two objects. One of them one of my favourites.

M13 The globular cluster in Hercules. Neatly in line with the two right hand stars of the 'Keystone'.
M92 the other, slightly fainter, globular. North (ish) of the Keystone.

Totals to date

Deke 11
Turvy 4
MC 7

Deke

8/8/2010
The Andromeda Galaxy. Near overhead and very bright at the moment. Naked eye, and that's rare in my part of the world.

Deke 12
Turvy 4
MC 7

(Hangs Head in shame)

I started this and then dropped the ball completely.

RL has been so busy lately.

Note to self - look up now and then!

t.

What Turvy said.

I also blame extreme cloud cover.

MC

I can't make that excuse for most of May and June though...



t.

NOW we have a cloud free, moon free sky!!

No Perseids for me this time around. I did see about 10 sporadics though as well as lots of space hardware including a rather fine Iridium flare.

On the Messier front M31 (again but I can't claim M32 or 101), M34, M103, M52 and M39.

Lets hope the clear sky continues. What I really need is darker.

t.

Well done Turvy. 8 total now.

Perseids shower was quite good to me this year. Over a week I've seen about 10 altogether. I must be looking in the wrong direction.

But I don't think I've ever seen an Iridium flare. I'll have to have a try for one of those. I'll see what's coming from 'Heavens Above'.

Deke 12
Turvy 8
MC 7

I forgot to mention that I also saw the Perseus Double Cluster which was more clear and evident than the Messier objects and a bit of a treat!

t.

Speaking of treats... Jupiter and all 4 Galilean moons tonight. Io and Callisto to the left and Europa and Ganymede to the right in binoculars

The moon is too bright and there is too much broken clouds for Messier objects.



t.

Jupiter is still too low to clear the trees, but the Andromeda Galaxy is up and clearly visible in binoculars. I'll look at Jupiter later.

Well. I started this nearly a year ago and I have been really pushed for most of the year. Now on leave with dark, clear skies so here goes...

1. In the last few days there have been some great early morning skies with the waning moon and Venus putting on a show. I have posted a Starry Night screen shot to Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44284&id=100000021141273&l=ec078a5bcd and to Photobox - http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/581456772 . One of the links will work I'm sure. The Photobox has a larger image available.

2. The Marathon A really cold and clear night. Here goes...
M31, M42 and M45 - already listed
M35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 44, 47 and 50 all clearly visible.
Lastly M1! Never seen by me before. Don't ask why given the ease with which I saw it tonight.

t.