2026-03-19
- Condition: VG7
- Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87
8:41PM
- Target: Σ 711
- Const: Auriga
- RaDec: 05h31m +54.39
- Type: Star (Multiple)
- Scope: AT102ED
- Setting: 89x
Great star system. Found north of Capella and west of δ Auriga forming a lopsided box. The AB split could be seen in my 13mm at 55x but I zoomed in to 89x for the best framing. The 11th magnitude C was seen pretty easily on this dark night.
9:05PM
- Target: M 65
- Const: Leo
- RaDec: 11h18m +13.5
- Type: Spiral Galaxy
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- Target: M 66
- Const: Leo
- RaDec: 11h20m +12.59
- Type: Spiral Galaxy
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- Target: NGC 3628, Arp 317
- Const: Leo
- RaDec: 11h20m +13.35
- Type: Galaxy
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- Scope: AT102ED
- Setting: 55x - 110x
I spontaneously decided to take a break tonight from open clusters and look at the Leo Triplet again. I have not observed these since 2022 and wanted to observe a galaxy again. M 65 and M 66 were evident and practiced use of AV brought out small details and enhanced their size a bit. NGC 3628 nearby remained much fainter.
In an attempt to push my luck with a smaller exit pupil, I added my 2x barlow bringing the magnification to 110x. This dropped NGC 3628 out of my FoV however I did not loose much on M 65 or M 66, they appeared nearly as bright but much larger in the eyepiece, turning it into a real good view!
Instead of sketching these targets I simply decided to observe and enjoy.