[AZ-Observing] Re: Last nite's observing at Cherry Rd.

Well, last night I did something I never did before. I actually observed 
everything on my observing list! Given my original plan to complete the SAC 110 
NGC's had been
derailed by Mother nature back in March & April, I considered this to be my 
last chance to complete the bulk of the what's left before next spring. Yes, 
you could guess I still had galaxies in Virgo, COM & CVn to finish off. That is 
why I choose to go to Cherry Rd vs. Stan's obviously successful Shindig. I 
knew going there, I'd probably socialize more than observe. Thad & I had Cherry 
Rd to ourselves and that worked to our advantage. For most of the night the 
only sound was the gate rattling in the light breeze that kicked up every now 
and 
again.
At any rate as Thad said the transparency was pretty good at a 7 & the seeing 
was mostly a 6, with the occasional tease to 7. Without distraction of good 
conversation, I was able to observe & draw 14 objects. 

The highlights were NGC 4388 & 4438. Both reside near M86 & M84 and at 71x 
with a 55 min FOV there were no fewer than 5 galaxies in the eyepiece at a 
time. 
With NGC 4388 centered, the two Messiers were at the northern edge of the 
field and NGC 4407 (or 4413, looks like a dual designation) & NGC 4425 were to 
the SE. Centering on 4438, M 86 & 4425 guarded the western edge of the filed 
while NGC 4435 tried to fight for center stage, without success, with NGC 4438. 
The seeing didn't offer up a lot of detail, But there certainly is something 
about an eyepiece full of galaxies to get the observing juices flowing.

I finished off the night with two planetaries, which as usual caused me no 
end of trouble. I passed over NGC 6369, the little ghost, several times, before 
persuading Thad to use his Sky Commander to confirm it's location. Looked 
pretty nice in 15", but not so good in 8". Ditto NGC 6572, Which at best seemed 
stellarlike. The only way I really ID'd this was the fact it was pretty bright 
green. 

After all said and done I now only have to observe NGC 1232 in ERI & NGC 2440 
in PUP to finish this list.

One final thought. As I was entering my observations, I came to the 
conclusion that I will move getting a used laptop up on my priority list. Seems 
I am 
constantly missing objects that may be of interest just out side the FOV or 
rather dim that would challenge my observation skills, mostly because I don't 
know 
they're there. 

At any rate it looks like we all made up for last time out.

Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
SaguaroAstro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org


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