Deep Sky Observations 2022

Conditions | Observation Overview | List of Observed Sky Objects | References

In 2022, I did only a few simple purely visual "deep-sky observations," which might be of interest to other beginners and are therefore described here. They took place in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau.

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

In 2022, I observed mostly the following sky area (some observed objects are indicated): :

Click the map for a larger version - it opens in a new window (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Observation Time

The observations were done in the first half of the year 2022.

Observation Location

The observations took place in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (Germany):

Coordinates: 49° 15′ N , 8° 43′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 49.25° N, 8.72° E

Devices Used

Mar 13, 2022: C5 on AZ Pronto mount (completey manual)
Jul 21, 2022: PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi mount

General Conditions

In Mühlhausen/Kraichgau, the sky was not particularly dark (up to SQM 20).

Observation Overview

Date 2021	Observed Objects	Details, Remarks	Further Observations and Remarks	Devices Used	Eyepieces Used
Mar 13 MH	Moon GN: M 42	M 42 with C5, not very good (and before that the Golden Handle)		C5 on AZ Pronto mount	unknown
Jul 21 MH	OC: M 11 GC: M 3, M 5, M 10, M 12 C: C/2017 K2 (PANNSTARS)	Order: M 10, M 5, M 3, M 11, M 12 (indirec seeing); M10 and M12 also found together- but not the comet C/2017 K2 (PANNSTARS) in the same field of view...	PS 72/432 with 40 mm, 26 mm, and 16mm on AZ-GTi ; iPhone with SynScan app; 1-Star alignment using Arcturus; at first, I simply let track Arcturus. Observations from about 11 p.m. on (SQM 19-20). The globular star clusters were all faint; M 12 was mostly only visible via movements or indirect vision; M 11 could not be resolved into stars.	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi mount (Celestron PT)	40, 26, and 16 mm
Jul 24 MH	OC: M 11 GC: M 3, M 5, M 10, M 12, M 13, M 92, M 107 PN: M 57 C: C/2017 K2 (PANNSTARS)	Order: M 10, M 12, M 107 not found, M 5, M 3, M 5 M 3, M 10, M 12, M 107 not found, comet not found... M 57 not found, M 10, M 12, M 13, M 92, M 11	iPhone with SynScan app 1-star alignment using Arcturus; at first, I simply let track Arcturus. Observations from about 11 p.m. on (SQM 19-20). First round : M 10 seen, M 12 only guessed, M 107 not found, M 5 better (SQM 19.5); M 3 similat to M 5 (not as good accessed (it was still in the FOV), but I was able to center it) (SQM 19.7), comet not found... Second round: M 57 not found, M 10 was OK (SQM 20), M 12, again with 32mm, was somewhat besser to recognite, but the sky background was bright Final targets : M 13 qith 32 and 16 mmthe best of all GC; M 92 with 16 mm nit in the FOV (or at the edge...), but found it with 32 mm and "caught" it, smaller, but brighter as M 13 (SQM 20); M 11 "in two parts", found it only in my second attempt	C5 on AZ-GTi mount (Celestron PT)	32, 24, 16 mm, f/6.3 reducer/corrector

Bold: First observation during this observation period; all observations done in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (MH); G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula, P = star pattern, DS = double star , C = Comet

List of Observed Sky Objects

Object details can be obtained via the links to the relevant deep sky objects.

DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino*	C5	C5R	PS72	TLAPO 1027	C8	C8R	Remarks
C/2017 K2			C								Not found...
M 3		Canes Venatici	GC			yes	yes				Faint, besser with C5
M 5		Serpens	GC			yes	yes				Faint, besser with C5
M 10		Ophiuchus	GC			yes	yes				Faint
M 11	Wildentenhaufen	Scutum	OC			yes	yes				Faint, two parts
M 12		Ophiuchus	GC			yes	yes				Faint, mostly seen indirectly
M 13		Hercules	GC			yes					Brightest larger area
M 92		Hercules	GC			yes					Smaller and brighter than M 13

*) LT = 10 x 25 binoculars, TS = 10 x 60 binoculars; G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, DS = double star, P = star pattern, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula, MW = Milky Way, C = comet

References

Books

Michael Feiler & Philip Novak (2023). Deep Sky Reiseatlas (5. Auflage), Oculum Verlag (ISBN 978-3-949370-04-5)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=608
Ronald Stoyan (2021). Deep Sky Reiseführer (6. Auflage), Oculum Verlag (ISBN 978-3-938469-72-9)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=603
Erich Karkoschka (2022). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag (EAN: 9783440173602)
www.kosmos.de/de/atlas-fur-himmelsbeobachter_1074889_9783440173602