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Observations - 25 January 2023
- flt158
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8 months 1 day ago #111713
by flt158
Observations - 25 January 2023 was created by flt158
Hello everyone.
I began observing on this Wednesday night from 17.30UT with my Williams Optics 158mm f/7 apochromatic refractor. Had a break at 19.30. Went back out again at 21h and ended at 22.45UT.
1. I observed the -2.2 mag Jupiter. Its distance was 804,500,000 kms from us. Its angular diameter was 34.7”. At 40x I saw a beautiful double star effect straight away. The moon Europa was very close to Io’s north. In fact all 4 moons were sitting on the eastern side of Jupiter. At the same magnification there were 3 field stars: HD 1385 (7.1), HD 1513 (7.9) and HD 1329 (7.
. At 140x there was bad shimmering. But both the NEB and SEB were visible alright. The North Polar Region was seen too. I didn’t observe the 3.8 day old crescent Moon, because it was behind my neighbour’s tree.
2. It was off to Polaris, Alfirk (Beta Cephei), Xi Cephei, Mu Cephei, Delta Cephei, H IV 31 and ARN 79. I had no problems splitting each of the double stars at 40x. Mu Cephei looked stunning at 40x.
3. Then I estimated the magnitude of RW Cephei as +7.3. It’s near another +7.3 magnitude star called HD 211982. RW looks wonderfully strong and orange at powers 40x, 112x and 140x.
4. I then spent a long time trying to see Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF. But had no joy. I hope to give it another go soon.
5. A friend of my wife’s arrived. I showed here Rigel. Split once again at 112x. The secondary is in the 6 o’clock to 6.30 position.
6. Then I showed her the Orion Nebula (M42 and M43). The Trapezium was stunning at 112x.
7. Lastly we observed Mars. Its magnitude was -0.4. Its distance was 124,321,000 kms. Its angular diameter was 11.3”. At 140x I could see Mare Erythraeum and Mare Acidalium.
So, all in all, I had a reasonable good night – with Jupiter and RW Cephei stealing the show.
Clear skies from Aubrey.
I began observing on this Wednesday night from 17.30UT with my Williams Optics 158mm f/7 apochromatic refractor. Had a break at 19.30. Went back out again at 21h and ended at 22.45UT.
1. I observed the -2.2 mag Jupiter. Its distance was 804,500,000 kms from us. Its angular diameter was 34.7”. At 40x I saw a beautiful double star effect straight away. The moon Europa was very close to Io’s north. In fact all 4 moons were sitting on the eastern side of Jupiter. At the same magnification there were 3 field stars: HD 1385 (7.1), HD 1513 (7.9) and HD 1329 (7.

2. It was off to Polaris, Alfirk (Beta Cephei), Xi Cephei, Mu Cephei, Delta Cephei, H IV 31 and ARN 79. I had no problems splitting each of the double stars at 40x. Mu Cephei looked stunning at 40x.
3. Then I estimated the magnitude of RW Cephei as +7.3. It’s near another +7.3 magnitude star called HD 211982. RW looks wonderfully strong and orange at powers 40x, 112x and 140x.
4. I then spent a long time trying to see Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF. But had no joy. I hope to give it another go soon.
5. A friend of my wife’s arrived. I showed here Rigel. Split once again at 112x. The secondary is in the 6 o’clock to 6.30 position.
6. Then I showed her the Orion Nebula (M42 and M43). The Trapezium was stunning at 112x.
7. Lastly we observed Mars. Its magnitude was -0.4. Its distance was 124,321,000 kms. Its angular diameter was 11.3”. At 140x I could see Mare Erythraeum and Mare Acidalium.
So, all in all, I had a reasonable good night – with Jupiter and RW Cephei stealing the show.
Clear skies from Aubrey.
The following user(s) said Thank You: michael_murphy, Fermidox
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