Chance Encounters

Hi all

I was hunting down Kemble's Cascade in my 10x50s from my Bortle 6 skies, I began at the Double Cluster and on towards a fourth magnitude star with fainter companions, in Camelopardalis with the intention of moving towards NGC 1502.  I noticed a faint patch of light to the north of this group, direct vision showed three stars and averted vision added one more in a distorted square shape.  I was observing to the north, towards the lights of Dublin city, so the views were not the best.  Looking at my old, 30 years old, Cambridge Star Atlas, it is listed as H1.  Moving to Uranometria, the cluster is listed as Pazmino's Cluster, online told me it was Stock 23 and sits on the border between Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis.  I had never observed this cluster before and it is one of those happy accidents that comes along now and then.  I plan to observe it at a later date when it is at a greater elevation and from a better site and with larger bins.I did manage to observe Kemble's Cascade and NGC 1502 also.

While I was scouting around Altair, I came across what I believed was a new asterism, I did a quick sketch and when I consulted my atlas, I discovered what I was observing was Job's Coffin in Delphinus.  I did not recognise it because it looked to be lying on its side.

Here's the sketch:
Please ignore the incorrect time mentioned.

Great stuff Paul, chance encounters such as these are one of the joys of amateur astronomy.

Great to hear from you again, Stevie, did you travel south of the border this year?  I have not been to the SSP since 2016, I will definitely be there in 2023, I want to see those wonderful Kerry skies.

Paul

Hello Paul. 

I have a very distant memory of learning about Job's Coffin. 
I'm wondering if it's from some biblical reference. 

Here we have another of your wonderful sketches. 

Best regards from Aubrey. 

Hi Paul,

Love your rendering of this asterism . I recall observing it a few months back...great sketch!

Clear skeis,

Darren.

Hi Paul, long time no see

I didn't make it to Skelligs this year either, but like you, hoping to get down next year, all being well.