<html>
<head>
<style>
.hmmessage P
{
margin:0px;
padding:0px
}
body.hmmessage
{
font-size: 10pt;
font-family:Verdana
}
</style>
</head>
<body class='hmmessage'>
Roger,<BR>
<BR>
Not yet.<BR>
<BR>
Fred<BR>
<BR> <BR>
<HR id=stopSpelling>
From: drivester@hotmail.com<BR>To: lvas@lvlug.org<BR>Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:49:27 +0000<BR>Subject: Re: [Lvas] Suggestions for Future Observer's Challenge<BR><BR>
<STYLE>
.ExternalClass .EC_hmmessage P
{padding:0px;}
.ExternalClass body.EC_hmmessage
{font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;}
</STYLE>
Rob and all,<BR> <BR>If you can imagine this, at one time I became absolutely obsessed with the Cocoon Nebula. I attempted from my backyard for many years with my 10-inch with no luck, using a variety of filters. Maybe a true dark site would have helped.<BR> <BR>Tom English brought an orange tube C-8 over on two occasions. I used my 10-inch. We could see the dark lane fairly easily but not the Cocoon itself. I have attached a picture. Notice the dark lane. <BR> <BR>A couple of years ago I talked with Jim Dire about this object and he said that it was best seen with a 20-inch or larger telescope. I have never talked with anyone "personally" that has ever observer the Cocoon. This is going to be one interesting object, and maybe best suited for John Heller's 25-inch scope.<BR> <BR><STRONG>Has anyone reading this e-mail ever observed the Cocoon?</STRONG><BR><STRONG></STRONG> <BR>My notes are very sparse on the ring-tail galaxies so I am very excited about doing some work on these objects. As I have mentioned before, my southern sky is not very good from my backyard, so I will go to a dark site for these galaxies. <BR> <BR>I have always found IC-342 to be difficult to locate, but then fairly easy once you have found it. It seems to be obscured within a very rich star field and the surface brightness is very low. This will be a good one for critical review. <BR> <BR>Rob, again...just an excellent list of objects.<BR> <BR>roger<BR><FONT face=Arial> <BR><BR> <BR></FONT><EM><FONT face=Arial><STRONG> </STRONG></FONT>The moon and stars to govern the night..... Psalm 136:9</EM><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR>> Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:28:19 -0700<BR>> From: scopegeek@gmail.com<BR>> To: lvas@lvlug.org<BR>> Subject: [Lvas] Suggestions for Future Observer's Challenge<BR>> <BR>> Morning Guys,<BR>> <BR>> Here are some suggestions to consider for future Observer's Challenge <BR>> objects:<BR>> <BR>> * I had already suggested NGC 253 and 891<BR>> * IC 342 - Spiral Galaxy<BR>> * NGC 6543 - Planetary Nebula - Cat's Eye Nebula<BR>> * IC 5146 - Emission Nebula - Cocoon Nebula and Dark Nebula<BR>> * NGC 6888 - Emission Nebula - Crescent Nebula<BR>> * NGC 7331 - Spiral Galaxy - Stephans Quintent<BR>> * IC 405 - Reflection and Emission Nebula - Flaming Star Nebula<BR>> * NGC 4631 - Irregular Galaxy - Whale and Calf<BR>> * NGC 6992/6995/6960 - Supernova Remnant - Veil Nebula<BR>> * NGC 4889 - Coma Galaxy Cluster<BR>> * NGC 4565 - Barred Spiral Galaxy in Coma Berinices w/ dark lane<BR>> * NGC 4038/4039 - Irregular Galaxy - Ringtail Galaxy<BR>> * NGC 7293 - Planetary Nebula - Helix Nebula<BR>> * NGC 5128 - Galaxy - Centaurus A<BR>> <BR>> Most of these objects can be observed in a 4-inch telescope.<BR>> <BR>> As a separate effort, I may create another challenge for smaller <BR>> telescopes. Some folks have mentioned that they would like to <BR>> participate in a challenge but have smaller scopes that can't pull out <BR>> the features we've been highlighting. So, I may create a "Small Scope <BR>> Challenge" based on Sue French's /Celestial Sampler/.<BR>> <BR>> Anyway, the above are just some suggestions to consider. I thought the <BR>> objects have some features that are often overlooked by the casual <BR>> observer. I consider the Challenge to be a joint effort, and look to <BR>> this group for suggestions/guidance in selecting suitable objects that <BR>> we'll all enjoy observing and reporting on.<BR>> <BR>> I'm thrilled that something we're doing is well received and being used <BR>> by a few other clubs. I hope we can continue this for quite awhile. It <BR>> has greatly improved my focus and enjoyment of observing. Each month, I <BR>> can't wait to get out and observe our challenge object.<BR>> <BR>> Take care.<BR>> <BR>> Rob<BR><BR><BR>
<HR>
Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Celebrate the moment with your favorite sports pics. <A href="http://www.windowslive.com/Online/Hotmail/Campaign/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_QA_HM_sports_photos_072009&cat=sports">Check it out.</A><br /><hr />Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Celebrate the moment with your favorite sports pics. <a href='http://www.windowslive.com/Online/Hotmail/Campaign/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_QA_HM_sports_photos_072009&cat=sports' target='_new'>Check it out.</a></body>
</html>