David's Astronomy - Images 2012-12-01 Virtual Session

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CCD Images - Virtual Imaging Session (2012-12-11)

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Objects Session Notes

Mizar -Double Star (UMa)

M101 - spiral galaxy with supernova 2011fe (UMa)

M97 - Planetary Nebula (Owl Nebula)

Venus

Mars

Jupiter

Moon

C/2012 K5 (LINEAR) - Comet (Boo)

M27 - Planetary Nebula (Dumbbell Nebula) (Vul)

CH Cyg - Symbiotic Variable Star (Cyg)

Kepler 22 - Star (host star to exoplanet Kepler-22b) (Cyg)

IC 5067 - Emission Nebula (Pelican Nebula)

PGC 1675230 + Comet P/1998 U3 (Jager) attempt (Peg)

Jones 1 - Planetary Nebula (PK 104-29.1) (Peg)

Hickson 7 - Galaxy Group (NGC 192 et al)

168P/Hergenrother - Comet (And)

260/P McNaught - Comet (And)

NGC 7242 - Elliptical Galaxy (Lac)

NGC 1528 - Open Cluster (Per)

M1 - Supernova Remnant (Tau)

M42 - Bright Nebula (Great Nebula) (Ori)

NGC 1977 - Nebula / Open Cluster (Running Man Nebula) (Ori)

NGC 2261 (Hubble's Variable Nebulae) (Mon)

NGC 2264 - Open Cluster with Nebulosity (Christmas Tree Nebula) (Mon)

C/2012 S1 (ISON) - Comet (Cnc)

Variable Stars

Photometric Monitoring - Variables

- RX And, U And, Z And, FS Aur, KR Aur, CV CMi, RS CVn, RZ LMi, CN Ori, CZ Ori, FOR Ori, FU Ori, GK Per, RR Tau, SU Tau, ER UMa

Astrometric Monitoring - Nearby Stars

- Barnards Star, 61 Cyg, Groombridge 34, Ross 248 (HH And), Teegardens Star

- Virtual Session ran as part of a Presentation/Demonstration given at an Aberdeen Astronomical Society Meeting on 2012-12-11
"An Observing Session at Clair Observatory"

- Session parts operated under semi-automated control, with remote monitoring from IPad

- Ambient Temperature: cosy

- CCD operation : n/a

- main objectives of the session were
1) demonstrate the semi-automated acquisition of a range of targets and their imaging



Notes : images below shown the original final images after reduction & processing. Many of the images are taken from later part of 2012, but other images from 2006-2011 are are shown.

-

Mizar - Double Star

Mizar / Alcor (Ursa Major)
Mizar & Alcor are an optical double
Mizar itself is a double star (Struve 1744)

Annotated CCD Image (50% size, square root scaling)
0.12s (single frame), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-11-17 18:35 h UT (#526010)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
[ Larger view ]

Background Stars - detail
Contrast adjusted image to show background stars
Mizar and Alcor are mag +2.1 and +4.0 respectively
whilst background stars range from +8.0 to +13.2 magnitude

CCD Image (50% size, linear scale)
Image details as above

Mizar - detail

Annotated CCD Image (100% size, square root scaling, cropped)
Image details as above
[ Wider View ]

M101 - spiral galaxy with supernova 2011fe

M101 with supernova 2011fe (Ursa Major) SN 2011fe (= PTF11kly) (Type Ia) was discovered 2011/08/24.00 by Palomar Transient Factory Magnitude at discovery +17.2 (Rochester Supernova site \| Discovery Image )		SN 2011fe is reported as being the nearest Type 1a supernova seen in decades

Images of M101 with supernova 2011fe
		Image (+414d) 2012-10-15 419 days after SN discovery SN Est. Mag only just visible, ~ 17.2 Annotated CCD Image (58% size, cropped) 10 x 60 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2012-10-15 19:49 h UT (#515124-33) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

		Earlier Image (+41d) 2011-10-03.85 41 days after SN discovery SN Est. Mag +10.5 Annotated CCD Image (58% size, cropped) 11 x 60 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2011-10-03 20:28 h UT (#479003-14) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

		Earlier Image (pre-discovery) 2009 CCD Image (cropped) 9 x 60 sec (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2009-08-24 22:00 h UT (#386001-10) 12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME

SN 2011fe Light Curve

M97 - Planetary Nebula (Owl Nebula)

M97 (Ursa Major)

CCD Image (50% size scaling)
5 x 90 sec exposure (average frame), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2009-04-22 01:05 h UT (#364272-75)
12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME

M97 - detail

CCD Image (cropped)
Image details as above

M97 - Colour Image

Colour CCD Image
Cropped to Central Area
Red : 3 x 120 sec exposure (average combine) + 1.216 weight
Green : 3 x 120 sec exposure (average combine) + 1.00 weight
Blue : 3 x 180 sec exposure (average combine) + 1.096 weight
Luminance : 5 x 90 sec exposure (average frame), C Filter
Exposure/Colour Weights based on analysis of RGB frames of four G2V Stars
3x3 binning,
Luminance: 2009-04-22 01:05 h UT (#364272-75)
Colour: 2009-05-10 00:56 h UT (#367191-99)
12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME
[ full frame image ]

Venus

Venus (Phase 62%)

CCD Image (cropped)
0.12 sec exposure (single frame), 1x1 binning, B Filter
2012-03-05 20:24 h UT (#504054)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
Stopped down to approx 3"

Mars

Mars

Colour CCD Image (cropped)
Unsharp Masked
Blue : 5 x 0.5 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, B Filter
Green : 5 x 0.2 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, V Filter
Red : 5 x 0.2 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, R Filter
2012-03-05 20:35 h UT (#504072-86)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
Stopped down to approx 3"
Frames registered using AIP4WIN

Mars

CCD Image (cropped)
Unsharp Masked (alternative params)
Image details as above

Jupiter

Jupiter

Colour CCD Image (cropped)
Unsharp Masked
Blue : 5 x 2 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, B Filter
Green : 5 x 1 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, V Filter
Red : 5 x 0.5 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, R Filter
2012-03-05 20:08 h UT (#504001-30)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
Stopped down to approx 3"
Frames registered using AIP4WIN

Jupiter

CCD Image (cropped)
Unsharp Masked
5 x 1 sec exposure (average combine), 1x1 binning, V Filter
2012-03-05 20:08 h UT (#504001-05)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
Stopped down to approx 3"

Moon

Moon (phase 45.5%)

CCD Image Mosaic (25% size, linear scale)
0.12 sec exposure (single frame), 2x2 binning, B Filter
2012-04-28 20:45 h UT (#511101-12)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
[ full size image]

Moon - detail

CCD Image (100% size, cropped)
Image details as above

CCD Image (100% size, cropped)
Image details as above

Comet C/2012 K5 (LINEAR)

C/2012 K5 (LINEAR) (moving through starfield in Bootes)

Annotated CCD Image (50% size) 5 x 60s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2012-11-01 20:12 hUT (#519018-22) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME		False Colour CCD Image / Inverse Spectrum (100% size, square root scaling, cropped) Image details as left

M27 - Planetary Nebula (Dumbbell Nebula)

M27 (Vulpecula)

CCD Image (35% size)
3 x 60s exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2012-11-02 18:31 hUT (#520003-07)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
[ Full Size Image ]

M27 - detail

CCD Image (60% size, cropped)
Image details as above
[ Full Size Image ]

CH Cyg - Symbiotic Variable Star

CH Cyg (Cygnus)

CCD Image (50% size)
3 x 5s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-11-01 22:39 hUT (#519211-19)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

Approximate Colour CCD Image (50% size)
3x3 binning, BVR Filters
2012-11-01 22:39 hUT (#519211-19)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

CH Cyg - spectra & profile

CCD Image ( cropped)
5s exposure, 1x1 binning, S Filter (Star Analyser 100)
2012-11-02 19:35 hUT (#520379)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

Kepler 22 - Star (host star to exoplanet Kepler-22b)

Kepler 22 (Cygnus)
host star to exoplanet Kepler-22b)

Annotated CCD Image (cropped)
6 x 5 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2011-12-15 05:24 h UT (#490062-67)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

IC 5067 - Emission Nebula (Pelican Nebula)

Part of IC 5067 (Cygnus)

CCD Image (50% size reduction)
8 x 90 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2009-05-10 00:05 h UT (#367132-40)
12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME
[ full size image ]

IC 5067 (part) - detail

Cropped CCD Image (original size scale)
Image details as above
[ full frame image ]

IC 5067 (part) - false colour

CCD Image (70% size reduction)
Image details as above

PGC 1675230 + Comet P/1998 U3 (Jager) attempt

An attempt to image the Comet P/1998 U3 (Jager) was unsuccessful. Comet was expected at mag+15.9 but there was no sign on comet down to mag +18) . Image did however capture the galaxy PGC 1675230 at estimated mag +16.

PGC 1675230 (Pegasus)

CCD Image (cropped)
11 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-11-01 20:34 hUT (#519047-59)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

Jones 1 - Planetary Nebula (PK 104-29.1)

Jones 1 / PK 104-29.1 (Pegasus)

CCD Image (60% size, cropped)
6 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, V Filter
2010-10-18 21:28 hUT (#516175-83)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

Hickson 7 - Galaxy Group (NGC 192 et al)

Hickson 7 / NGC 192 et al (Cetus)
NGC 201 - Spiral Galaxy (catalog mag +12.9)
NGC 192 - Spiral Galaxy (catalog +13.5)
NGC 196 - Spiral Galaxy (catalog mag +13.6)
NGC 197 - Spiral Galaxy (catalog mag +15.0)

Annotated CCD Image (cropped)
8 x 90 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-11-02 21:11 h UT (#520167-74)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

Hickson 7 / NGC 192 et al - wider view

CCD Image (50% size)
Image details as above

Comet 168P/Hergenrother

168P/Hergenrother (moving through starfield in Andromeda)

CCD Image (50% size) 6 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2012-11-01 20:19 hUT (#519025-32) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME		False Colour CCD Image / Inverse Spectrum (100% size, square root scaling, cropped) Image details as left

M33 - Spiral Galaxy (Pinwheel Galaxy)

M33 (Triangulum),
showing IC137 region at centre of image

CCD Image (Linear Brightness Scale, 75% size)
3 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2010-10-07 00:51hUT (#430334-36)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
[Full Size Image]

M33 - Earlier Image of M33 (2006-11-16)

CCD Image Mosaic (50% size)
3 min exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2006-11-16 22:24 h UT (#152233-45)
8" LX200 classic + ST-7e
[ Larger Size, 75% ]

NGC 7242 - Elliptical Galaxy

NGC 7242 (Lacerta)

Annotated CCD Image (75% size, cropped)
5 x 180 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-11-15 00:21 h UT (#525094-98)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME
[ Full Size ]

NGC 7242 - wider view

CCD Image (50% size)
Image details as above

NGC 1528 - Open Cluster

NGC 1528 (Perseus)
Dark grey area shows position of a missing frame due to slewing error
(slewing discrepency recognised by script, but slew not reattempted nor flagged up to user to intervene)

CCD Image Mosaic (3x4, 30% size)
30s sec exposure, 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-10-18 20:50 h UT (#516147-58)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

NGC 1528 - detail

CCD Image Mosaic (3x4, 60% size, cropped to main area of cluster)
Image details as above

M1 - Supernova Remnant

M1 (Taurus)

CCD Image (cropped)
7 x 180 sec exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
Auto-guided
2012-11-15 02:40 h UT (#525232-38)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

M1 - wider view

CCD Image (35% size)
Image details as above

M42 - Bright Nebula (Great Nebula), with Trapezium

M42 (Orion)

False Colour CCD Image (50% size)
x 5s exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2012-11-21 23:28 hUT (#527072-79)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

M42 - detail

CCD Image (sigmoidal scale, 35% size)
Image Details as above
(Full Size Image)

CCD Image (sigmoidal scale, 35% size)
Contour Effect
Image details as above

Trapezium (at centre of M42)

CCD Image (35% size)
5 x 2s exposure (median combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2012-11-21 23:42 hUT (#527081-90)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

Trapezium - detail

CCD Image (100% size, cropped)
Image details above

NGC 1977 - Nebula / Open Cluster (Running Man Nebula)

NGC 1977 (Orion)

CCD Image (50% size)
4 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2012-11-22 00:04 h UT (#527130-37)
12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

NGC 1977 - detail

False Colour CCD Image (50% size)
Image details as above
(Larger Image)

NGC 2261 (Hubble's Variable Nebula)

NGC 2261 (Monoceros)
GCVS R Mon - INa Variable

CCD image,
5 x 60 sec exposure (average combine)
2007-12-08 00:02h UT (#240134-38)

NGC 2261 - detail

CCD image (250% size)
Image details as above

Earlier Image of NGC 2261, 2003-01-24

CCD image, 5 x 60 sec exposure
2003-01-24 00:01 to 00:06h UT (#41267-71)

NGC 2264 - Open Cluster with Nebulosity (Christmas Tree Nebula)

NGC 2264 / Herschel H27-5=H5-8 (Monoceros)

CCD Image Mosaic (25% size)
45 sec exposure, 3x3 binning, C Filter
2009-12-11 03:02h UT (#403363-77)
12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME
[Larger Image, 50% size]

NGC 2264 - detail showing Cone Nebula

CCD Image (75% size)
3 x 120 sec exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2009-12-11 04:03 h UT (#403391-93)
12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME

NGC 2264 - detail

False Colour CCD Image (75% size)
Simple red hue
Image details as above

C/2012 S1 (ISON) - Comet

C/2012 S1 (ISON) (moving very slowly through starfield in Cancer) The Image shows the comet at 2012-11-15 and compares it with the position 4 days before on 2012-11-11. when earlier images where collected. Comet at 5.75 AU distance from sun / beyond the orbit of Jupiter Measured mag + 16.5 (compared with forecast mag +17.2)

Annotated CCD Image (100% size) 4 x 120s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2012-11-15 01:53 hUT (#525207-10) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

C/2012 S1 (ISON) - Earlier Images (2011-11-11)

C/2012 S1 (ISON) - 2012-11-11 Comet is highlighted by white cross-hairs		Same area taken 4 days later - 2012-11-15 Former position of comet is highlighted by white cross-hairs

Annotated CCD Image (100% size, cropped) 5 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2012-11-11 04:22 hUT (#524411-15) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME		Annotated CCD Image (100% size, cropped) 4 x 120s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2012-11-15 01:53 hUT (#525207-10) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME

CCD Image Animation (2 frames separated by 46 min) rate of motion across field ~7 arc secs per hour

CCD Image Animation 3x3 binning, C Filter, cropped 1) 2012-11-11 04:17 hUT (#524411-12), 2 x 180s (average combine) 2) 2012-11-11 05:03 hUT (#524422-23), 2 x 180s (average combine) 12" LX200R (at f/9.7) + ST-10XME


Diagrams illustrating the position of C/2012 S1 (ISON) at 2012-11-11, relative to Jupiter & Earth (plots made using TheSky) Closest approach to Sun will occur in Nov/Dec 2013. From Scotland, we should have some really good view of the comets, both as it approaches in the solar system and as it recedes again.
2012-11-11 (04:00): just visible with CCD camera in Cancer (forecast mag +17.3) 2012-12-12 (night): comet moves into Gemini (forecast mag +16.7). and stay there for most of spring-summer 2013 (comet will not be visible during Jun - mid-Sept period due to daylight) 2013-08-01 : comet moves back into Cancer (forecast mag +13.1) 2013-09-02 (06:00): about 2.5 deg from M44 (Beehive Cluster) in Cancer (forecast mag +11.7) 2013-09-20 (06:00) : passes around 2 deg from Mars, then tracks semi parallel to Mars for ~ 1 month. 2013-10-17 (06:00) : passes within 1 deg of Mars in Leo (forecast mag +8.3) 2013-10-30 (06:00) : photo opportunity with Mars and Moon (20% phase, 6 deg away). (forecast mag +6.7) 2013-11-14 (06:00) : passing about 1 deg away Caldwell 52 in Virgo (forecast mag +3.9) 2013-11-23 (06:00) : comet (forecast mag +1.4) will lie in the SE sky just before sunrise, about 5 deg west of the planet Mercury. 2013-12-01 (08:00) : comet very low in the SE sky (5-8 deg above horizon) just before sun rise (forecast magnitude -2 to -13). It will gradually climb higher in the sky passing by the Earth on its way out from the Sun. and with pass through Serpens Caput, Hercules, Corona Borealis, 2013-12-25 (08:00) : in Hercules (forecast mag +4.0) 2014-01-07 (12:00) : comet will lie within 3 deg of Polaris in Ursa Minor (forecast mag +5.6)