Observations - 25 January 2023

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.