Grand Est, spring 2025

Boureuilles, 29 April - blog 4 of 4

After the observing run in the night of 28-29 April, I don't recall hitting the mattress. I do remember waking up well into the afternoon of the 29th. First thing to do when waking up any day of an astrotrip is to reach for my phone to check the weather forecast for the night ahead. Clear skies, once again.

Having slept well into the day did not make it a short wait until nightfall. The end of astronomical twilight was not happening until after eleven and that left plenty of daylight hours to kill. But with my gear already set and sorted, a baguette on the counter, refreshments in the fridge and an observing plan tweaked to perfection, there was little else that could be done other than to sit back and relax.

As the sun dipped behind the hills to the west, I freed my scope from its shroud, took some pics and set up a camera for a timelapse sequence. Quarter to eleven I was back at the eyepiece.

First diamonds of the night were a handful of doubles in UMa.

Double star observations in Ursa Major

Following was an observing first. Not one for an object category, not one for a constellation, but one for a catalog instead.

You guessed it: plenty of Helwân nebulae turned out to be galaxies instead. Most can be considered 'southerly', as all but 11 of the 506 discoveries have negative declinations. Of these 11 there are 2 that reside within the boundaries of the constellation of Coma Berenices: nr.'s 22 and 24. It's these that I added to my guides and this night I was to observe them, along with 13 more galaxies and galaxy groups in various observing guides for Coma that I had yet to observe at all, or to get a first glimpse of from a dark site.

Visually, these two Helwân nebu... galaxies are nothing to write home about. As goes so often in this hobby, it is the knowledge behind it that counts. With these first deepsky observations of the night, Helwân was set loose.

Helwân 22
A clearly NW-SE elongated glow, without AV clearly suddenly brighter in a core that is elongated in the same direction. With AV slightly larger with a notable transition to the brighter core, no nucleus visible.

Helwân 24
A small, extremely faint, round glow, only visible with AV, even in brightness, no detail visible.
The stars to the NNE that form Holmberg 322B are not visible.
1/3 FoV to the east is the galaxy MCG+03-31-035 (PGC38234).

The 13 galaxies and galaxy groups that followed the Helwâns weren't impressive to the eye, either. I was able to observe both galaxies that form Vorontsov-Vel'yaminov 179 (NGC4065 & NGC4061) ...

Both galaxies are visible, aligned WNW to ESE.
Round galaxies of almost equal brightness, both are gradually brighter in the middle and in both galaxies the nucleus is visible.
The western galaxy A - NGC4065 is slightly brighter and slightly larger with AV than the eastern galaxy B - NGC4061 is. The nucleus of A - NGC4065 is at the limit of visibility without AV, the nucleus of B - NGC4061 is slightly brighter.
To the SE is the galaxy NGC4072, 1/3 FoV to the ESE is NGC4076.

... but the ones that form Arp 260 presented themselves as only a single faint glow.

No individual galaxies can be distinguished.
A very faint. NE-SW elongated, irregular glow, without AV at the limit of visibility. With AV clearly elongated but even in brightness, no detail visible.

Galaxy observations in Coma Berenices - 1

First proper guide of the night was Gx-9 for Coma Berenices in CSOG's 12-14" edition. These galaxies were sure to pack more of a punch.

First in the guide is the 65th entry in Zwicky's third list. As you see, I don't write "III Zw 65" as I don't like that designation. For me it Zwicky first, then III, then 65. Of the 3 that form this number 65, I could only see the NGC; PGC169245 & PGC40476 did not reveal themselves. For a second I wasn't sure, as the NGC's nucleus appears offset, but quickly determined to not be a match for the companions' positions.

Images below are from CSOG's Herschel edition, the 'by object' guide, as NGC4377 is cataloged as Herschel I-12.

17mm Nagler T4: NGC4377 is quite a large and bright, round glow, suddenly brighter in a small round core with a bright nucleus that, using AV, clearly is on the SW edge of the brighter core, which is notable. With AV more of the outer parts of the galaxy are visible that are slightly elongated north to south, but the core remains round.
PGC169245 and PGC40476 are not visible; the offset nucleus is certainly not one of the PGC's, as that does not match the positions.

12mm Nagler T4: Using this magnification PGC169245 and PGC40476 are not visible, either.

Better than NGC4377 was 4419. It's not small at all and showed faint but notable detail, including a "bite" taken from the southeastern side.

Quite a large and pretty bright NW-SE elongated streak, without AV suddenly brighter in a relatively small core that is elongated in the same direction and that is just a bit SW of the middle of the galaxy. Using AV more of the outer parts of the galaxy are visible and the faint nucleus is visible. The galaxy is gradually fainter and tapering towards the NW, slightly more suddenly fainter and tapering less towards the SE.
The dark part is not visible but on the SE side the galaxy is brighter in the SE part thereof than it is in the eastern part thereof, using AV a very subtle kink in the galaxy is visible; directly SE of the core a 'bite' is subtly taken from it. With that, the dark part betrays itself, even when it cannot be distinguished, but had I not know about it I would have easily overlooked it.
A nice galaxy.

Nearby is IC3392, another galaxy revealing more than its elongation.

A NE-SW elongated glow, without AV it is clear that the galaxy is brighter in the SW part and a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction is subtle discernible. With AV the galaxy is more elongated, the nucleus is faintly visible and it is clear that the galaxy is brightest SW of the middle (that was subtly discernible even without AV). Towards the NE the galaxy ends quite suddenly where it is slightly rounded, the SW brighter tapers and gradually becomes fainter.

Messier 85 (NGC4382) was as nice as can be expected from a Messier galaxy, with the view enhanced even further by nearby NGC4394. These two go together as Holmberg 397 and KPG 334. MCG+03-32-028 (PGC40512) is in the mix, too, but not part of either cataloged pair, nor is it visible in my aperture.

Messier 85 (NGC4382)
A large, very bright, slightly north-south elongated, quite diffuse glow, gradually brighter in the middle with a very bright nucleus. With AV more of the outer parts of the galaxy is visible, the galaxy is slightly elongated NNW to SSE and the nucleus seems to be just west of the middle. On the NNE edge is a mag. 12 star (4UCAC542-051656).
MCG+03-32-028 (PGC40512) is not visible.
To the SE is a mag. 10 star, 1/2 FoV to the ENE is the galaxy NGC4394.

NGC4394
A NE-SW elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction. With AV more of the fainter parts is visible, the galaxy is slightly more bulging NE to SE, the elongated core is slightly larger and the nucleus is visible.
1/2 FoV to the WSW is the galaxy Messier 85 (NGC4382).

Lacking a core and a nucleus, but a pretty one nonetheless, is NGC4455. I found it subtly irregular.

A clearly NNE-SSW very elongated streak, without AV clearly brightest in the SSW part. With AV the galaxy extends further, the brightest part is subtly irregular, the galaxy becomes slightly fainter towards the NNE and more suddenly fainter towards the SSW. No core and no nucleus visible.

Another bright one revealing detail was NGC4450. East of the middle I noticed a north-south running lane, that is perhaps (part of) an arm. In CSOG, the NGC is one of a pair of galaxies, as behind its eastern edge is PGC5262309. Unsurprisingly, that tiny, faint PGC proved elusive.

Quite a large, quite bright, north-south elongated glow, gradually brighter in the middle and suddenly brighter in a small round core with a bright nucleus that is visible without AV. With AV the outer parts of the galaxy clearly light up, the galaxy is subtly irregular and it is clear that the core is just a bit SW of the middle. With AV a north-south running lane is subtly discernible on the east side of the brighter part of the galaxy (not the core), which is notable, no such thing is visible on the west side. On the east side the galaxy bulges less (flatter on a line from north to south) than it does on the west side. A nice galaxy.
PGC5262309 behind the eastern edge of NGC4450 is not discernible.

Three in a row are NGC4459, -68 & -74. Individually, neither is spectacular, but together they do make a worthwhile view. The images below are for the NGC4468 guide, which frames all three of them nicely.

NGC4459
A round glow, gradually much brighter in the middle with a bright nucleus that is visible without AV. With AV the galaxy is more suddenly brighter in a small, round core.
To the SE is a pale orange mag. 9 star (SAO100121), 1/3 FoV to the ENE is the galaxy NGC4468, just over 1/2 FoV to the WSW are NGC4446 & NGC4447 (KPG 339).

NGC4468
Without AV a faint, round glow, gradually brighter in the middle. With AV slightly more suddenly brighter in a round core and with AV the faint nucleus is visible.
1/3 FoV to the ENE is the galaxy NGC4474, 1/3 FoV to the WSW is NGC4459.

NGC4474
An east-west elongated streak, without AV quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction. The extremely bright nucleus is WSW of the middle and resembles a superimposed star, which is notable.
1/3 FoV to the WSW is the galaxy NGC4468.

Approaching the southern border of the constellation, dipping into "Markarian's Chain", are NGC4477 - with faint NGC4479 nearby - and NGC4473. Crossing the border into Virgo, I also observed the pair NGC4461 & NGC4458, cataloged as Holmberg 411.

Deciding not to get chained to Markarian's group but rather save them for another night, I continued my observations northeastwards in Coma.

Not small but not too bright, either, yet displaying plenty of detail, is NGC4498.

A clearly NE-SW elongated glow, without AV clearly brightest NW of the middle. With AV more elongated and clearly irregular, slightly wider on the NW side where the galaxy clearly is most irregular, the galaxy tapers towards the SE. The galaxy is brightest is a slightly NW-SE elongated part that is just SSE of the middle of the overall galaxy, which is notable.
Almost 1/2 FoV to the WSW is just galaxy NGC4489 that is just a bit brighter, 1/2 FoV to the SSE is NGC4502.

Even fainter than NGC4498 and by itself, in my aperture, nothing special to report about, is NGC4523. That being said, I did enjoy observing it. That's due to 3 superimposed stars that make it an interesting view. There's a fourth one, but at a cataloged magnitude of 15.9 it was out of reach.

An extremely faint, evenly bright, NE-SW elongated glow, no detail visible, you need to know exactly where to look. On the NE edge of the glow is a mag. 11.5 star (4UCAC526-054664), on the ZW edge are a mag. 13.5 (ESE, 4UCAC526-054660) and a mag. 14 (WNW, 4UCAC526-054659) star aligned ESE to WNW. The faint star 4UCAC526-054663 to the SSW of the mag. 11.5 star is not visible. The faint glow combined with the superimppsed stars does make it quite a nice view.
1/2 FoV to the NE is the galaxy IC800.

Again not too bright, but another nice observation, was the pair of galaxies NGC4540 & IC3528 that form Holmberg 421. This is mostly thanks to the detail visible in the NGC, with the IC providing for a nice little extra. In fact, giving its appearance, NGC4540 could very well be regarded as a "Mini-Box Galaxy" as there is similarity to NGC4449 in Canes Venatici.

Both galaxies are visible, not very bright galaxies but a nice pair.
The SW galaxy A - NGC4540 is larger and brighter than the NE galaxy B - IC3528 is, an irregular, NE-SW elongated glow, quite suddenly brighter in the middle and clearly brightest in the SW part. On the NNW edge is a mag. 13 star (4UCAC528-054716). With AV slightly larger and irregular structure is clearly visible in the brightest part of the galaxy. With AV the brightest part of the galaxy bulges slightly, bulging towards the SW and tapering slightly towards the NE where it fades into the fainter outer part of the galaxy that is clearest NE of the middle. With AV the outer halo of the galaxy slightly lights up. To the west is a mag. 13.5 star.
The NE galaxy B - IC3528 is a round glow, without AV subtly brighter in the middle, with AV slightly larger and gradually brighter in the middle. No core and no nucleus visible.

The second Messier in this Coma Berenices observing guide is nr. 88 (NGC4501). There was plenty to describe, even spiral structure, but I could not tease out the dark lane on the southwest side, not even with some extra magnification.

17mm Nagler T4: A nice, bright galaxy, clearly elongated NW-SE and quite suddenly brighter in a core that is slightly elongated in the same direction with a bright nucleus that is on the SE edge of the brighter core. On the SW side the galaxy is clearly flattened on a line from NW to SE. With AV the galaxy is irregular, slightly more bulging on the NE side, on the SE side the galaxy is flattened on a line from north to south. With AV the galaxy tapers towards the NW where it is flattened on a line from NW to SE on the NE side of the NW part. On the SW side of the NW part it has a slightly more curved shape. With AV spiral structure is subtly discernible surrounding the brighter core, especially SE of the middle, after which the galaxy gradually faints outwards. No dark lanes or interruptions are discernible; the galaxy is flattened on the SW, there where there's a dark lane. A nice galaxy in which much detail can be seen.
On the SE edge is a mag. 13 star (4UCAC522-052502) with a mag. 14 star to its SSW (component A of the double star Skiff 1584).
1/4 FoV to the south, equally orientated as the two stars superimposed over the galaxy, are a mag. 10.5 (NNE) and a mag. 11 (SSW) star aligned NNE to SSW, ±210°/25" (double star Greaves 1156).
Just over 1/2 FoV to the NE is the galaxy NGC4516.

12mm Nagler T4: Using this magnification the dark lane on the SW side cannot be discerned, either, the galaxy is clearly irregular.

The second to last object in the guide made for a truly special observation. Detail is nice to observe, but when it's distinct and unexpectedly comes to light, it's all the better. IC3476 (Vorontsov-Vel'yaminov 563) provided for just that. Appearing as if stuck on top of a fainter glow, is a distinct core that is almost perpendicular to the long axis of the galaxy. Its shape and orientation was unmistakable and: mesmerizing. An object etched on my retina and one highly recommended to observe.

Without AV a slightly NNE-SSW elongated glow, gradually brighter in the middle. With AV the galaxy is clearly brighter in the SW part where there is a small, round part. With AV it also clear that the NNE-SSW elongated part that was visible without AV, is a part that is perpendicular to the others part of the galaxy. With AV on the SW thereof a part of the galaxy is visible that extends to the SW (PGC4331228), that is subtly fainter than the central part is. On the south side of the brighter central part, with AV, an elongated part that extends towards the NE is very faintly visible, much fainter than the part towards the SW is, with that the shape of the galaxy is clear. No nucleus visible. The offset core appears as if 'stuck on', very notable, a faint galaxy but a remarkable shape.

Galaxy observations in Coma Berenices - 2

The observations in Coma Berenices left me satisfied, yet longing for more. With the skies as magnificent as they had been two nights before and the night still young, I took a 20 minute break before opening the 12-14" Gx-3 guide for the same constellation. Making sure I had my dew heaters set, to rule out any chance of having this session interrupted by condensation on my optics.

NGC4565. What. A. Sight. Fifth observation in my log for this showpiece, but only the first under dark skies. And almost half of field of view in my 17mm Nagler to the southwest, NGC4562 tagged along.

NGC4565
A NE-SW extremely elongated needle in which are brighter part is clearly visible that is elongated in the same direction containing a central bulge and a bright nucleus that is visible without AV. With AV clearly irregular. The dark lane running centrally through the galaxy is visible directly NE of the middle of the bulge (not a hint, clearly visible), the dark lanes extends more towards the SE than it does towards the NE. To the NE of the dark lane a small part of the bulge is visible that on that side, with AV is clearly very flattened. The bulge is clearly bulging on the SW side.
To the NW of the middle a subtle (not a complete) interruption in the galaxy is visible, a part is clearly discernible that is fainter at approximately 2/5 of the NW part towards the NW, followed by 3/5 of that part that is bright again.
The SE part of the galaxy is slightly shorter than the NW part is and gradually becomes fainter towards the SE, where at 2/3 of that part an interruption is subtly discernible, after which the galaxy gradually becomes fainter.
The part of the galaxy that extends towards the NW is approximately one and a half times the size of the SE part.
A very beautiful galaxy.
To the NE of the central bulge is a mag. 13 star (4UCAC581-047579), detached from the glow of the galaxy. Almost 1/2 FoV to the SW is the galaxy NGC4562.

NGC4562
A faint NE-SW elongated glow, not very small, without AV gradually brighter in the middle. With AV slightly larger and also gradually brighter in the middle, no nucleus and no core visible.
Almost 1/2 FoV to the NE is the galaxy NGC4565 (the "Needle Galaxy").

From a needle to a fish. Specifically: a koi. That is of course a nickname based on imagery. Visually, though, NGC4559 is clearly irregular and flattened on the northeast side. The galaxy contains a few HII regions and star clouds that carry IC designations; I was not able to immediately pull them out from the glow of the galaxy. Better to return another night for a dedicated hunt using filters and various magnifications.

A NNW-SSE elongated, irregular glow that is gradually brighter SE of the middle in a NNW-SSE elongated, slightly oval part. To the ESE of the brighter part is a mag. 12.5 star, to the SE is a mag. 12 star and to the south is a mag. 12 star. Clearly very irregular with AV and flattened on the NE side on a line from NW to SE.
HII Regions are not immediately apparent, as listed in the HII/SC guide.
1/2 FoV to the SE is the galaxy NGC4559A.

All three galaxies are visible, a nice view.
The eastern galaxy A - NGC4615 (Arp 34) is a clearly NW-SE elongated glow, gradually brighter in the middle and brightest directly NW of the middle. The shape of the galaxy is subtly discernible with AV, on the WNW a slightly bulging part is very subtly visible, very faint, that originates on the south side of the galaxy. With AV the curl on the SE side is subtly discernible, extending towards the SW with the open side on the WSW side, slightly fainter than the part is that extends towards the NW.
The southern galaxy B - NGC4614 is the brightest galaxy, without AV a slightly elongated, oval glow, with AV more elongated NW to SE and suddenly brighter in a core that is elongated in the same direction. With AV the nucleus is faintly visible. To the WNW is a mag. 11 star (4UCAC581-047647).
The NW galaxy C - NGC4613 is a round glow, without AV subtly brighter in the middle, with AV the nucleus is faintly visible.

NGC4670 = Haro 9 = Arp 163 = Vorontsov-Vel'yaminov 1563. It's not too big, but the detail is in the core and I found its nucleus to be on the western edge of that brighter core. Being a Haro galaxy, this is definitely one to come back to next spring to see what more detail filters and magnification can tease out.

Without AV a slightly east-west elongated glow, suddenly brighter in a round core with a bright nucleus that is clearly visible. With AV it is clear that the nucleus is on the western edge of the bright core, which is notable, and more of the outer halo of the galaxy is visible making the galaxy more round.
To the SE is the fainter galaxy NGC4673.

Along with NGC4565 observed three quarters of an hour earlier, an object I had been looking forward to observe under skies as good as they were this night, was the pair that's known as Arp 242: "the Mice". I was not disappointed. The south-southeastern galaxy NGC4676B may be a tad brighter than its northern neighbor is, but using averted vision NGC4676A revealed its tail. Or rather: spike, as that's how I described it. Although faint, it even appeared a bit 'sparkly' to me. Another highlight of this session.

Both galaxies are visible, faint but a beautiful observation.
The NNW galaxy NGC4676A is slightly fainter than the SSE galaxy NGC4676B is, brighter in a north-south elongated core, no nucleus visible. With AV the extension from the NNW galaxy NGC4676A towards the north is visible, clearly a 'spike' towards the north, very faint but very beautiful.
The SSE galaxy NGC4676B is slightly brighter than the NNW galaxy NGC4676A is, a NE-SW elongated glow with a bright nucleus that is visible without AV and that is SW of the middle. The faint extension towards the south is not visible.

Yet another one that can be considered a showpiece and another 'first-timer under dark skies' for me, was NGC4725 - the "TIE Fighter Galaxy". Now, I am not a Star Wars aficionado, nor am I fond of Star Trek... quite the opposite, frankly... but I could make out part of the galaxy's namesake shape. Also, NGC4712 to the west-southwest was observed.

NGC4725
A bright, NE-SW elongated galaxy, gradually brighter in the middle with a very bright nucleus that easily visible without AV and that is inside a very small, round core. With AV both the core and the overall galaxy are slightly more elongated. With AV a subtly brighter (but very faint) part is visible on the SW side that is slightly elongated NW-SE. On the NE side the galaxy is subtly brighter, but no shape is discernible there. The distance from the middle of the galaxy to the brighter part on the NE side is slighty greater than the distance towards the SW side. NNE of the middle the galaxy is slightly fainter, but no clear interruption. Centrally on the NW side the galaxy is slightly flattened on a line from NE to SW. On the SE side the galaxy is flattened on a line from NE to SW. A beautiful galaxy.
Several superimposed stars are visible: to the NW of the middle is a mag. 15 star, to the ENE of the middle on the edge of the galaxy is a mag. 14.5 star, to the NE a mag. 15 star is superimposed.
1/3 FoV to the WSW is the galaxy NGC4712.

NGC4712
A NNW-SSE elongated glow, gradually brighter in the middle. With AV more elongated (almost north-south elongated) and brightest SSE of the middle. No distinct core and no nucleus visible. The superimposed star 4UCAC578-049816 is not visible.
To the NNW in line with the galaxy is a mag. 11.5 star, to the ENE are a mag. 13 (WSW) and a mag. 13.5 (ENE) star aligned SW to NE. 1/3 FoV to the ENE is the galaxy NGC4725 (the "TIE Fighter Galaxy").

Northeast of NGC4725, this observing guide for Coma galaxies had one last Arp in stock for me: NGC4747 a.k.a. Arp 159. The galaxy is clearly brightest in the southwestern part. Sharing the field of view is the pretty Struve double STF1684 (WDS12519+2540).

A faint, irregular, NE-SW elongated glow, clearly brightest in the SSW part, that part is very elongated NE to SW and is itself brightest on the NW side, which is notable. The galaxy ends suddenly on the SW and is gradually fainter towards the NE. The dark interruption in the galaxy is not discernible. To the SW of the middle of the brightest part of the galaxy, with AV, a small, also NE-SE elongated, brighter part is visible, it's faint but it does jump out. No nucleus visible.
1/4 FoV to the SSE is a bright yellow mag. 8 (east) star and a fainter subtly light-blueish star aligned east to west (double star STF1684). SW thereof is a mag. 10 star (SAO82538) together with which these stars form a crooked, elongated triangle pointing SSW.

Galaxy observations in Coma Berenices - 3

With the last of the galaxies in this part of Coma logged, I leaned back and felt hit by a wave of satisfaction. Only two weeks earlier I had feared not getting any observing done this spring. Meaning all them faint fuzzies in Coma Berenices would have to wait for yet another year. Now, in the fourth observing run of this trip, all that is left for me to observe in Coma - CSOG wise - is the galaxies in CSOG's 12-14" Gx-5 observing guide, the ones that are part of the heart of the "Coma Cluster" (Abell 1656).

I'll call that a result.

Thrilled to have observed so much in Coma Berenices, I took another twenty minute break before moving on to Serpens (Caput) for galaxies not yet observed, or observed but only under murky Dutch skies.

First observation in the head of the snake was for the pair of galaxies MCG+02-39-005 (PGC54194) & MCG+02-39-004 (PGC54195) that form KPG 458. These galaxies are small, faint and reveal little to no detail, but their shapes are nicely contrasting.

Both galaxies are visible, very faint but a nice view.
The northern galaxy A - MCG+02-39-005 (PGC54194) is a clearly NNW-SSE very elongated streak, subtly brighter than the southern galaxy B - MCG+02-39-004 is.
The southern galaxy B - MCG+02-39-004 (PGC54195), without AV, is a round glow, even in brightness, no detail visible. With AV slightly larger and gradually brighter in the middle, no core and no nucleus visible.
The galaxies are not touching.

"Hoag's Object". I finally observed it. And that's really all I have to say about that. In my aperture, the faint ring is obviously out of reach. But even the core, or nucleus, required upping the magnification and use of averted vision to be called a positive observation.

17mm Nagler T4: Using this magnification the galaxy sometimes seems to jump into view but cannot be held.

12mm Nagler T4: Using this magnification the galaxy is visible, a very small, extremely faint, round glow, only visible with AV. Even in brightness, no detail visible. The outer ring of the galaxy is not visible, only the nucleus is visible but that is at the limit of visibility with AV.
1/5 FoV to the west is a north-south elongated, meandering shape of mag. 11 and fainter stars.

NGC6012 was much nicer. When I first observed this galaxy back in 2010, under Dutch skies, it revealed no more than being subtly brighter in the middle. Now, with a bit more aperture but in a sky that is endlessly better, it showed what it's really about... and reconfirmed to me why I have ceased chasing all but the brightest DSO's from local observing sites.

A NNE-SSW elongated, oval, irregular glow. Without AV it is evident that the galaxy is brighter in a NNW-SSE elongated core that is just a bit SSE of the middle of the glow. With AV the core is brightest SSE of the middle of the overall galaxy. The faint outer parts are subtly discernible, the galaxy is flattened on the SW side on a line from NNE to SSW and is subtly bulging on the NE side with the bulge towards the NE.
To the NE are a mag. 11 (SE) and a mag. 13 (NW) star aligned SE to NE, ±350°/7" (not a double star in WDS).

Smaller, but equally appreciated due to its elongation and bright core + nucleus, was NGC6010.

Quite a bright, WNW-ESE elongated streak that is suddenly brighter in a small core that is slightly elongated in the same direction, with a bright nucleus that is visible without AV. The galaxy is slightly flattened on the south side on a line from WNW to ENE and is subtly bulging on the north side with the bulge towards the NNE. The galaxy gradually becomes fainter towards the WNW and is slightly more suddenly fainter towards the ESE and shorter in that direction, too. Quite a nice galaxy.
The star USNO358029355 on the eastern edge is not visible.
To the south are two mag. 14 stars aligned NE to SW (not a double star in WDS).

Notably larger, but also fainter than most galaxies observed in Serpens tonight, was IC1151. Though faint, a "bite" taken out the southwestern part of the galaxy was discernible.

Quite a large (larger than the galaxies that I observed before this one are), NE-SW elongated glow, without AV it is clear that the galaxy is brighter SW of the middle. With AV subtly irregular and quite suddenly fainter on the SW side and slightly tapering on that side, gradually fainter towards the NE. With AV it is clear that there is an interruption to the SW of the middle of the galaxy, on the SW side of the SW a slightly curved shape is visible extending towards the SW. The "bite" that is take from the SE side of the SW part of the galaxy, is discernible. No core and no nucleus visible.

Galaxy observations in Serpens (Caput)

With just over half an hour to go until the start of morning astronomical twilight, I took a short break, then extended my telescope's optical train with a filter slider and set out to observe 3 planetaries in Hercules.

Kohoutek 1-14 is an irregular ring, but a very faint one. Unfiltered, all I was able to observe were the two stars at the nebula's center. Filters teased out the glow and the UHC one was the filter that did the better job at it.

The images below are from the Future CSOG Kohoutek Nebulae edition... stay tuned.

17mm Nagler T4: Unfiltered the nebula is not visible, only the two stars that are in the nebula; the NNE is mag. 13 (4UCAC558-063634), the SSW is mag. 15 (4UCAC558-063633). Directly north is a mag. 15 star.

17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Using this filter a faint round glow is very subtly discernible without AV that is clearest to the east of the two stars.

17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: Using this filter the glow that was visible with use of the UHC filter is only discernible to the east of the two stars.

12mm Nagler T4: Using this magnification, unfiltered, the nebula is not visible.

12mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII & UHC: Using this magnification, both filters and AV the nebula is a round glow, but it's very faint. The UHC filter subtly has a better effect. No ring-shape is discernible.

Part of the new editions published as part of CSOG 3.0 in November 2024, is the one for Humason's Planetary Nebulae. It's a tiny edition, containing only 3 objects.

This planetary was to be the second to last observation of the session, but when it comes to appreciation, it came out on top. I observed it once before back in 2019, suspecting a ring-shape, but did not observe it using a very high magnification. This night, I did do just that and I did not regret it: truly a ringside view.

17mm Nagler T4: Stellar without AV, resembles a mag. 11 star. With AV just not stellar, a small sphere, an effect not displayed by other stars in the field.
To the SW is a mag. 11 star (TYC1596-02617-1) with a mag. 13 star to its WNW (4UCAC555-076183), these two stars make for a good comparison with the nebula.
In a rich star field.

17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Using this filter the nebula is not stellar without AV and is slightly elongated east to west, seems to consist of two lobes, a slightly larger eastern and a smaller western. Somewhat resembles a double star, which is notable.

17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: The effect of this filter, without AV, is equal to that of the UHC filter iwth AV. With AV the nebula is more elongated.

5mm Nagler T6: Using this magnification, unfiltered, the nebula is just not stellar and is slightly elongated east to west with AV. No lobe is discernible but there is a faint outer halo.

5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Using this filter a ring-shape is clearly visible, the ring is brightest on the SE side. the SE half of the ring is brighter than the NW side of the ring is.

5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Using this filter a ring-shape is unmistakably visible, centrally clearly dark and it is evident that the SE 3/5 of the nebula (more than half of the ring shape) is brighter than the NW 2/5. This is suspected to be the reason that two lobes seemed to be visible at lower magnifications. A extraordinarily nice and surprising observation! A remarkable object.

3.5mm Nagler T6: Using this magnification, unfiltered, the nebula is a round glow and an outer halo is very faintly visible.

3.5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon UHC: Using this filter the ring shape is visible, but the shape is clearer with 5mm., there is barely anything of the dark central part visible anymore.

3.5mm Nagler T6, Lumicon OIII: Using this filter no dark central part is visible, but is clear that the SE half of the nebula is brightest.

Final observation of the night was for another Kohoutek: 3-16. Extremely faint and almost stellar. Filters did not help.

17mm Nagler T4: A small, extremely faint glow, almost stellar, easily overlooked. The unfiltered view is best.
To the WSW is a mag. 13.5 star.

17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon UHC: Using this filter the little patch that is the nebula is visible very faintly, only visible with AV and at the limit of visibility. The unfiltered view is better.

17mm Nagler T4, Lumicon OIII: Using this filter the nebula is not visible.

As morning twilight ticked away, I made an attempt to glimpse the nova shell Cederblad 155 (DQ Hercules). No luck. But that's OK, as this session's observations left me feeling luckier than I had in a very long time.

- Blog continues below the observations table -

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Observations

3 planetary nebulae
99 galaxies & galaxy groups
7 double stars
Total: 109 observations
First time observations: 72 objects

Details of the objects observed in this session are in the table below.

to top of table

30 April

The forecast for the night of 30 April was a magnificent as it had been for the preceding nights. As nightfall progressed, with a camera clicking away to catch the crescent Moon setting, I started my observations with - again - some doubles in Ursa Major. I planned to tackle a whole lot of Haro galaxies this session, as soon as Luna ceased being a nuisance.

As the Moon approached the hills to the east, its appearance did not bode well, as a halo was forming around it. It was at that time that some doubles I was observing started to briefly reveal spikes.

Even while the sky appeared clear and the satellite imagery was not showing any sign of clouds, either, there clearly was something in the air tonight. For once, I did not like that tune.

I sat it out until two in the morning. The skies did not improve. It all just appeared... dimmed. Knowing that any deepsky observation would be subpar, especially compared to the four excellent observing runs this trip did produce, I elected to pack my gear. The morning of May 1st I was on my way home.

Now, with all observations worked out and four blogs published, I can only look back with a smile. Just when all hope for spring deepsky observations seemed lost, the last week of April produced one of my most memorable astrotrips.

A heartfelt thank you to my astrobuddies from Sterrenwacht Rijswijk who invited me to their get together in Talma (Grandpré) for the first 2 nights of this sojourn.

You will hear from me again in August.

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Observations astrotrip Grand-Est, spring 2025

1 globular cluster
2 HII regions
3 planetary nebulae
2 quasars
321 galaxies & galaxy groups
44 double stars
Total: 373 observations
First time observations: 265 objects