(SNES) Saturday at FDO and Sunday at Myles

["Dave Aucoin" <deepskydave@hotmail.com>]

Greetings,

I was very happy to re-meet everyone at FDO. Seeing Barry, Les and Doug (who 
I thought was alot taller and huskier) was a welcome sight. I must say I was 
impressed with the southern exposure but dismayed at all the dew. My evening 
was curtailed because of the dew, but I did see a few obscure Pne.

I started off with the Bug nebula which I could see very well in the early 
twilight. As evening got darker, I observed 4 obscure Pne in Sagittarius. 
After looking at M70, 69 and 54...Globulars to those who sont have an atlas 
handy. While surfing around in that neck of the woods, I decided to look at 
4 planetaries on the same page of Uranometria.

First up was Hb-7, a 4" (" = arc second) PNe near M54. IT was featurless, 
and at mag 11.9, was actually mag 6.01 because of its small size. It was as 
bright with an OIII, and fairly recognizable without.

Next was IC 4776, slightly west and below M70. This Pne was mag 10.9, but 
surface brightness because of its 8" size made it appear at mag 6.52. It was 
quite bright and the central star was seen at mag 14.

I then moved up to the highest star in the spout of the teapot, but not the 
farthest one out. Above that star was a string of 5 stars. The second one up 
was an optical double (meaning it wasnt really a double). Near it was a 
fairly bright PNe. M2-37 looked like it was right no top of the star, as it 
appeared in the atlas, but further scrutiny led me to believe it was as far 
out as the double companion star. Upon further investigation, the PNe was 
right in front of my eyes all along. It was bright and the OIII made it 
appear more fuzzy. But it was so bright, I had not recognized it as a PNe.

About 2 PNe to star diameters to the east of the star was another PNe. It 
was a little harder to recognize it. PE 1-12 was larger, at 12", but a 
little fainter. Its mean mag was 16.0, but surface brightness because of its 
size made it out to be mag 12.5. It was also featurless and not detail could 
be discerned.

So that was the extent of viewing at FDO. The flashlights were annoying. I 
hope to get down next weekend to learn the ropes of the scope to help out 
with the Staff shortage in 2 weeks. I hope you guys dont have to close.

I enjoyed meeting you guys again and I hope to be able to catch up with Joe 
next weekend, weather permitting.

Tonight I ventured down to Myles Standish, and the evening appeared to be 
ok, but clouds rolled in and by 11 pm, the sky was awash in clouds. My 
friend and I broke down our scopes and headed home by 11:15. I only observed 
M57, M<13 and comet Linear. Too bad, I was hoping for another  few obscure 
PNe to add to my list.

Well, have a great week and I will scan the emails for more juicy topics to 
complain about...LOL!

Dave

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