[sac-forum] Re: Call for Observations - for July, Ophiuchus

For July let's try Ophiuchus - again.  It has lots of nice globular clusters, 
so let's look for some new stuff.  While doing the globular clusters do some 
comparison of size, brightness and resolvability.  First is M12, located almost 
3° west of 12 Ophiuchi; about half way there you'll pass a nice three star 
arrangement of 8th mag stars.  Be sure to notice it in your finder if you use 
the star hop method.  Next is IC4665, a large bright naked eye open cluster a 
little more than one-degree north east of 3rd magnitude Cebalrai (beta 
Ophiuchi).  Count the stars and estimate their brightness.  We now start on a 
southerly tour of the constellation, beginning with M62, which is just across 
the border from Scorpius.  There isn't any short hop from a bright star, so 
start with epsilon Scorpio and swing almost 5° north of northeast and you will 
easily sweep it up on your finder.  On to M19, which should be an easy slew 
north for about 4°.  Again, it should be visible in your finder.  Next is 
NGC6316, which is just across the other side of the Pipe Nebula's end, 
otherwise it is 1.5° south of 36 Ophiuchi.  Can you see the Pipe Nebula naked 
eye?  Yes or no.  Finishing off our southerly tour is NGC6366, which is 1° west 
of 4.5 magnitude SAO141665.  We now finish up with NGC6633 way out on the 
western side near Serpens.  This open cluster is a switch from globular 
clusters and we don't have any naked eye star to hop from, so use your 
binoculars and locate 5.7 magnitude SAO123516 that is within a degree of the 
cluster.

Now, because the summer monsoon is such a drag on our observing schedule, 
here's the constellation and objects for August.  It is the desert denizen 
found as part of the SAC logo, Scorpius.  I'm not sure why this one has been 
skipped for so long, perhaps due to its southerly declination?  No more!  Let's 
see what it has to offer.  Naturally we will start with, and do all of the 
Messier entries, beginning with M80 located 1.5° northwest from omicron 
Scorpii.  If you star hop this one, take a gander at the Milky Way you traverse 
between the two.  Next is easily located M4, in the same finder view of Antares 
and 1.3° to the west.  Both of these globular clusters are easily seen in 
modest size finders.  Next is a planetary nebula, NGC6153, and is quite a hop 
from our last object.  So get ready for some fun here, it is 6.3° east of 
southeast from 3rd magnitude eta Lupi and is not visible in moderate sized 
finders.  Now, going back to clusters find the magnificent NGC6231!  It is a 
naked eye galactic cluster located about ½ degree north of zeta Scorpii.  Can 
you detect the cluster without any optical aid?  If you have binoculars 
available, or can borrow a pair please do, give this area a nice once over, you 
will be most happy to have done so.  Moving on, towards the tail, find M6, 
about 5° north of northeast from Shaula, or lambda Scorpii.  Finally, there's 
M7, a scant 3.8° southeast from M6.  Both of these clusters are so large and 
bright you should be able to see them without any optical aid.  Can you see 
them this way?

Clear skies,
aj

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