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LVAS,<BR>
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Walter Scott Houston wrote a monthly column in Sky & Telescope magazine. "Deep-Sky Wonders" began in 1946 until his death December 23, 1993. He had articles completed that would continue to be published for six months after his death.<BR>
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His last column appeared in July 1994. Like many of you, I was most interested in his articles each month, and normally read it first. I was very saddened to hear of his death. <BR>
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Today I was going to recommend to the LVAS an object for the July "Observers Challenge". I was thinking seriously about the central star in M-27, but was also considering M-2 in Aquarius which culminates during July. <BR>
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In the Messier Album, John Mallas performed a sketch M-2 showing a distinct curving dark lane crossing the northeast corner. His sketch was made using a 4-inch f/15 refractor. I have attempted to see this lane with a variety of telescopes to no avail. I intended to go back and look this year. I wanted to follow the footsteps of John Mallas and use my 4-inch Vixen f/9.8 refractor for a hopeful sighting and a sketch.<BR>
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I remembered that WSH's last column was in the July 1994 issue of S&T. I also wanted to consider for our July observer's challenge, the last object that he reported on after almost 50 years. <BR>
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Walter Scott Houstons last object after 48 years of "Deep-Sky Wonders was M-2. <BR>
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I would like to propose or recommend that we consider M-2 and the dark lane for the July 2009 "observer's challenge" to commemerate WSH's last object, exactly 15 years after his death.<BR>
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How about M-2 and the curving dark lane?<BR>
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Roger ivester<BR>
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<BR><BR> <BR><FONT face=Verdana size=4></FONT> <BR> <BR><FONT face=Verdana><EM><STRONG> I</STRONG> can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God. Abraham Lincoln</EM></FONT><BR><BR><BR><BR><br /><hr />Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. <a href='http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_BR_life_in_synch_052009' target='_new'>Check it out.</a></body>
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