Belper Report. 6.5.18

[BAZ]

I got to Belper fairly early, as I hadn't had any tea and had packed some nice cobs. I got there around 20.00, I got set up, made a brew and had my tea. It was lovely and warm and had been tee shirt weather all day. There wasn't a breath of wind either, which is unusual for the top of the hill up there.

 

As it started to get dark, Venus was the first on the menu, as that was fairly easy to spot even as it just began to turn dusk. It's getting on 80% lit and shining at around magnitude -3.5.

Jupiter was dragging itself out of the hedge and was glowing a dull yellow as it was so low.

At 21.53 we saw an Iriduim pedaling just below Mizar moving to the west, it wasn't one of the brightest but it wasn't that dark either. 

 

As the night got darker, I say that as you didn't need a torch to see things, the stars began to show themselves.

So here is what was seen.

 

M13.

Leo Triplet, M65, M66, struggled to find NGC 3628, but got it later when it was darker.

M44, used the 38mm Panaview and got most of it in the field of view.

M105 and NGC 3371.

NGC 2903.

Over to my old favourite, M57.

M51 was almost directly over head, had another look later and the bridge was there between the galaxies.

Inspired by Pete, took a look at Merlotte 111, this was naked eye, it looked better through binoculars though.

NGC4565.

M104.

M53.

M64.

NGC4438.

M94.

M63.

M106.

Jupiter was nice and high now, saw the shadow transit of Ganymede across the top of the disc in Doc's scope, not good enough resolution in my Dob and the GRS stood out nicely pretty much right in the centre of the lower band.

I finally managed to bag M4, this was really faint and right down in all the murk, by moving the scope it was clearly there, I would imagine this would be spectacular with it higher in the sky.

 

Saturn began it's climb out of the hedge to follow Jupiter. Again, this was right in the glow from Ripley and all the could be seen were the rings and the only moon was Titan.

I finished off on the owl cluster, NGC 257 again an old favourite, this was "standing" the right way up for a change and looked superb.

 

At 02.30, Andy, Rob and myself decided to call it a night. As we were packing away The Moon in it's last quarter and Mars made an appearance through the shrubbery. These were just eyeballed and will have to wait for a closer inspection. Despite it didn't get properly dark, it was one of the best sessions I have had this year and has been the kick I needed before the summer recess.

 

Thanks to all for your excellent company. 

Edited May 8, 2018 by BAZ
poo spelling!

[Doc]

Nice report Baz.

 

It was one of the best nights for a long time.

[BAZ]

The one that got us all was the Intergalactic wanderer, NGC2419.  We all had that distinctive arc of stars with the "double at the centre of it and the IGW should have been at the end of the arc. Nothing not even a hint. Yet it should have been fairly easy to see, ah well, that's on the list for a revisit next season. 

[Tweedledee]

Sounds like you had a wonderful session Martyn. Loads of interesting targets. ?

[Smithysteve]

Great report Baz, with you, in my minds eye, all the way through your report! ?

[+Derbyshire Dave]

Sounds like a fantastic evening Daz, and looks like the move across the road from the old site was well worth it !   ??

[BAZ]

8 hours ago, Smithysteve said:

Great report Baz, with you, in my minds eye, all the way through your report!

I am honestly not sure that's a good thing Steve! ?

[+Bino-viewer]

On 08/05/2018 at 21:08, BAZ said:

 Despite it didn't get properly dark, it was one of the best sessions I have had this year and has been the kick I needed before the summer recess.

 

 

Hopefully we can get up there a bit during the 'summer' ?

July 27 springs to mind.

Lunar eclipse and also Mars at opposition the same day.

I'm assuming they will be fairly close together with them both being in a perfect line with the Earth + sun ?

Should be a nice photo opportunity ?

 

(its a Friday night btw.....)

[BAZ]

I reckon you could be right Rob, I have always written Belper off during the summer, but we don't need to now that we have the campsite.

[tuckstar]

8 hours ago, Bino-viewer said:

Hopefully we can get up there a bit during the 'summer' ?

July 27 springs to mind.

Lunar eclipse and also Mars at opposition the same day.

I'm assuming they will be fairly close together with them both being in a perfect line with the Earth + sun ?

Should be a nice photo opportunity ?

 

(its a Friday night btw.....)

I have already asked Sharon about that weekend. They have a gin festival on, so it will be a no go I'm afraid Rob ?. And ww is no good for catching a rising moon unless your in the car park.

[+Bino-viewer]

There are other ways to skin a cat though, i'm guessing......?

[+Derbyshire Dave]

Had a drive past this afternoon. Looks fantastic, really open. Can’t wait for the next meet there?