NexStar 50 Club Observation Log

NexStar 50 Club Observation Log

Name: Darren Dassinger
NexStar Telescope Model(s): NexStar 114 GT, NexStar 9.25 GPS

________________________________

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
1 1/11/2004 Orion Nebula 42 1976 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Wow! (but better when I saw it in Montana) Nice and clear, I liked it better with the 18 Ultima

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
1 3/19/2004 Orion Nebula 42 1976 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Amazing how large it is!

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
1 4/23/2004 Orion Nebula 42 1976 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Oldie but goodie - Moon has it washed out some and Pickering did not help, but still a joy. Trap easily seen with 10mm and
can be made out with 18mm

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
2 4/23/2004 Hercules Cluster 13 6205 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Nice glob but M3 should go onto the favorites list.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
3 6/11/2004 Ring Nebula 57 6720 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 10 Lanthium

Comment
Very cool - I can see that it is a super nova remnant. Again on the favorites list.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
4 1/11/2004 Saturn 0 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Nice rings but could not see the division.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
4 3/19/2004 Saturn 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 10 SMA

Comment
Could see the rings very clearly. I was able to see Cassini's division very well. Slight shading of the rings on the back side
of the planet. Very nice object to look at.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
4 4/23/2004 Saturn 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 10 Lanthium

Comment
Barely see the division with 10mm eyepieces. Still like the SMA better.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
6 1/11/2004 Andromeda 31 224 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Faint and fuzzy really did not enjoy it. I would like to see it with a bigger scope.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
7 6/11/2004 Dumbbell Nebula 27 6853 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Almost a box with the 40, but can make out the shape. Also used the 18, a little fuzzier, but good viewing.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
8 1/11/2004 Pleiades 45 0 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Always a treat (wowed a number of people before wit binoculars). I am still amazed about how many stars are here when
looking with this telescope.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
8 3/19/2004 Pleiades 45 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
Can see more stars, but can not see all of the main 6. I still like it betteer in binoculars.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
9 1/21/2004 Jupiter 0 0 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 10 SMA

Comment
Could see planet about 4/5 full with 4 moons distinctively. I saw two other objects although I don't know if they were
moons or not. (I had a cold and the wife demanded I come in before I could verify)

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
9 4/23/2004 Jupiter 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
First object on this night. Not too impressive Pickering just too much.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
10 6/11/2004 Wild Duck Cluster 11 6705 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
Looked more like a globular cluster then an open cluster. Either way, where is the duck?

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
11 1/21/2004 Cigar Galaxy 82 3034 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Very faint and fuzzy - need more aperture and darker skies.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
11 1/21/2004 Bodes Galaxy 81 3031 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Very faint and fuzzy - need more aperture and darker skies.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
12 6/11/2004 Swan or Omega Nebula 17 6618 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Looks like a swan! Very nice, again goes on the favorites list.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
13 6/11/2004 Albireo - double 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Cream and blue stars. Easily split even with the 43mm.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
14 1/21/2004 Perseus Double Cluster 0 869 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Cool that these are so close together! Should have had my 43 mm! Bright stars in 884 came through very nicely.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
15 3/19/2004 Whirlpool Galaxy 51 5194 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Can make out some arms, still faint. Great face on galaxy. Also could see a smaller companion. I think an ortho may
make the view better (less glass).

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
15 4/23/2004 M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy 51 5194 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
See both galaxies - fuzzy but OK.

NexStar 50 Date           Name                             Messier   NGC            Location
           16            4/23/2004 Hour Glass Nebula / Lagoon            8            6523        Rose Lake
                                        Nebula

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
I can see something but it does not take a shape. (OK, Now I understand why I did not see the hour glass, it is also
known as the Lagoon nebula.) Way more interesting is the spiral Open Cluster beside it (NGC6530)

NexStar 50 Date           Name                             Messier   NGC            Location
           16            6/11/2004 Hour glass nebula or Lagoon           8            6523        Rose Lake
                                        nebula

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Really see the hour glass shape.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
17 1/21/2004 Beehive Cluster 44 2632 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
I saw a zig zag pattern with the brighter stars but I don't see a beehive image with them. Plan to look again w/43mm in
future.

NexStar 50 Date           Name                             Messier   NGC            Location
           18            6/11/2004 Western & Eastern veil                  0            6960        Rose Lake
                                        Nebula

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
both are just a wisp - One has a bright star to the left edge.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
20 6/11/2004 Globular in Sagittarius 22 6656 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
Nice glob. A little faint but good definition.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
21 4/23/2004 Butterfly Cluster 6 6405 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
Open cluster reminded me of Ra (the sun god) at first. Changed to the 40mm and I could actually see the butterfly!

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
21 6/11/2004 Butterfly cluster 6 6405 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Actually looks like a butterfly! Add this one to the favorites list.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
22 6/11/2004 Double double 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 10 Lanthium

Comment
Cool to see 2 bright doubles in one view. I needed the 10mm to split them.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
25 3/19/2004 Spiral Galaxy 66 3627 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Slightly on edge with a companion. I could not see any arms. - Note: I believe the companion is NGC3628

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
26 6/11/2004 Coathanger Asterism 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Looks great through the spotting scope - the telescope has too much focal length even with the 43mm.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
27 3/19/2004 Galaxy in Leo 65 3623 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Nice edge on galaxy.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
28 6/11/2004 Ptolemy's Cluster 7 6475 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
Nice, center looks like a K - Need to show this one to Kris!

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
29 3/19/2004 Bernice's Hair Clip 0 4565 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Huge edge on galaxy. Great definition considering the magnitude (9.6)

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
30 6/11/2004 Globular in Pegasus 15 7078 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 10 Lanthium

Comment
Very small globular, not too exciting.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
31 1/21/2004 Owl Cluster 0 457 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Nice cluster - two brighter stars could maybe see an owl in flight but it is a stretch. Funny but it is listed as "ETCluser" in
"The Sky" software.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
31 6/11/2004 Owl cluster 0 457 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
With the two bright stars as it's eyes, it looks like an owl with skinny wings.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
32 3/19/2004 Milky Way 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
N/A

Comment
Nice silver blanket from north to south going slightly west to east. Like I remember from Montana, but as a kid I took it
for granted. Amazing just how many stars there are in our galaxy!

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
33 1/11/2004 Trapezium in Orion 42 1976 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
33 3/19/2004 Trapezium in Orion 42 1976 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Better then view then before. Better separation.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
34 1/11/2004 Open cluster in Puppis 46 2437 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Very faint.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
35 3/19/2004 Star Gate (double triangle) 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Very cool small triangle inside a larger one! This is going to become one of the "go to" objects to wow friends.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
35 4/23/2004 Stargate 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Still nice - going on my favorites list in the handset.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
36 3/19/2004 24 Com Double 0 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Easily split - looks to be about the same color.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
37 6/11/2004 Open cluster in Sagittarius 25 0 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Almost too open to resemble anything, but still something to show people.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
38 1/21/2004 Open cluster in Gemini 35 2168 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Nice open cluster

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
39 6/11/2004 Open cluster in Cepheus 0 7510 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
OK open cluster. What intrigued me the most was a little cluster of 7 stars (with some dim ones around them) at the edge
of the cluster.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
40 4/23/2004 M92 (Globular Cluster) 92 6341 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
I liked this one better then M13. Seemed brighter in the center even though the "book" says this one is dimmer.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
43 6/11/2004 Open cluster in Ophiuchus 0 6633 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Looks kind of like a computer generated human with pointer hands and feet. A lot like the Sidney olympic "guy".

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
44 3/19/2004 Galaxy in Coma Berenices 100 4321 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 18 Ultima

Comment
Face on (very faint) just a light cloud around a dim center.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
45 6/11/2004 Table of Scorpius 0 6231 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 40 E-Lux

Comment
Huge cluster with very bright stars. Looked best through the spotting scope just too big for focal length of the 9.25.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
46 6/11/2004 Trifid Nebula 20 6514 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Bright star in the center. Could see some banding but it looked more like three lines coming together at a point

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
47 1/11/2004 Betelgeuse 0 0 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Nice and bright - looked at this star many times in the past while learning how to use my 114GT. Great read color.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
49 1/11/2004 Open Cluster in Auriga 36 1960 Home

Telescope Eyepiece
114GT 18 Ultima

Comment
Bright stars reminded me of a tick. Kind of hooked legs. I liked this object for that reason. Also used the 43 Ultima, was
better to see some of the surrounding stars, but not able to get as much detail in the main bright stars.

NexStar 50 Date Name Messier NGC Location
50 6/11/2004 Eagle nebula 16 6611 Rose Lake

Telescope Eyepiece
NS 9.25 43 Ultima

Comment
Considering it is a 6.0, I did not see much. I see a bunch of stars. LPR filter helped some, but I do not see an eagle.