[AZ-Observing] Eridanus Goodies

Howdy all;
Well, we had a really good weekend in Arizona last weekend and I am sitting 
here entering my notes into the computer.  The constellation that we have 
consistently said is really "yucky" is Eridanus.  It is filled up with faint 
and small galaxies, this constellation contains few showpieces, has few good 
stars to starhop from and just is no fun.  But, it is right on the meridian, so 
let's give it a try.  What we found is that with a GOTO scope and another two 
scopes with digital setting circles it was a lot better.  Electronics makes it 
more fun.

Sentinel, Arizona January 2004 Seeing and Transparency 7/10

NGC 1331  Nexstar11 125X--faint, small, round, low surface 
brightness, averted vision helps.  Off the end of 1332.

NGC 1332  Nexstar11 125X--bright, pretty large, very much 
elongated 3X1, much brighter middle with a stellar nucleus.  This
galaxy has a blazing center in 2 layers. 

NGC 1535  Nexstar11 200X--bright, pretty large, round,
stellar nucleus, inner detail with averted vision.  With Ken Reeves
20 inch at 280X--nice view of inner detail, the CBS eye effect
is easy, a beautiful blue-green disk with several layers of brightness.
The central star is unmistakable.

NGC 1600   NGC 1601 is in contact.
Nexstar11 125X--pretty faint, pretty large, elongated 2.5X1, gradually much 
brighter middle.

NGC 1601  125X--very faint, small, very little elongated, brighter middle.

NGC 1603 125X--very faint, small, round, low surface brightness.

NGC 1637  Nexstar11 125X--pretty bright, pretty large, round,
gradually brighter middle, mushy.  The center is offset toward the
10 o'clock direction.  AJ:  "The center is not the middle"!!

32 ERI  Split at 100X, better at 135X, yellow and light blue.
Nexstar11 Sentinel S+T=7 125X--nice double, yellow and blue.
In AJ's 14 with 6 inch mask vivid colors, a hint of green or
aqua.

39 ERI  Split at 125X,  yellow and light blue.

62 ERI Nexstar11 Sentinel S+T=7 125X wide pair
light yellow and light purple (honest) a nice double.

Clear skies;
Steve Coe
Author "Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist"
Saguaro Astronomy Club website
www.saguaroastro.org
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