Page updated: 17 sep 2011
| This page contains observing reports of 2011. Click pictures to enlarge them or click the name of a location for more information about the observing site, when available. The values as given for transparency, seeing and limiting magnitude are averages for a night. The number of observed objects (read: the number of objects for which I have logged an observation) is, as long as marked with "±" an estimation based on the number of files on my voice recorder. The maximum SQM value was measured towards the zenith and is not "corrected". Click the Excel icon to open a file with worked out observations or choose the notepad icon to open a textfile. By clicking the third icon a .obs file can be downloaded which can be imported in AstroPlanner V2. The icon on the right opens an overview of the positions of the observed objects. I recently started translating of all of my logged observations from Dutch to English. I expect this to take quite some time. More Excel and AstroPlanner icons will appear as I complete translation of more and more sessions. Once I have translated all observations I will translate session details too. Stay tuned. In the mean time, if you want to read more about my observations and at the same time feel like sharpening your Dutch language skills, please go here.        |
| Sessions 2011 | : | 19 |
| Observations | : | 1153 |
 Tuesday 15 November 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 3/5 Seeing: 6/10 Limiting magnitude: ±4.0 Maximum SQM: 19.64 |
| Details |
| Time: 18:50 - 20:35 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 24 in constellations: Cassiopeia, Pisces & Aries |
| Carbon Stars: 5 Open Clusters: 13 Double Stars: 6 |
 Monday 31 October 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 2/5 Seeing: 7/10 Limiting magnitude: ±3.5 Maximum SQM: 19.82 |
| Details |
| Time: 20:05 - 21:35 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 29 in constellations: Delphinus, Cepheus & Lacerta |
| Carbon Stars: 3 Open Clusters: 19 Double Stars: 7 |
 Saturday 22 October 2011 - Knardijk, Flevoland |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 4/5 Seeing: 4/10 Limiting magnitude: ±5.0 Maximum SQM: 20.55 |
| Details |
| Time: 21:45 - 0:10 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 25 in constellations: Lacerta, Cepheus & Cassiopeia |
| Open Clusters: 22 Double Stars: 3 |
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 Sunday 2 October 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 4/5 Seeing: 5/10 Limiting magnitude: ±5.0 Maximum SQM: 20.28 |
| Details |
| Time: 22:05 - 3:15 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 59 in constellations: Andromeda, Aquarius, Cassiopeia, Cepheus & Pegasus |
| Carbon Stars: 16 Open Clusters: 20 Globular Clusters: 2 Planetary Nebulae: 16 Double Stars: 5 |
 Saturday 1 October 2011 - Knardijk, Flevoland |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 3/5 Seeing: 8/10 Limiting magnitude: ±4.5 Maximum SQM: 20.65 |
| Details |
| Time: 20:50 - 1:25 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar & Alt/Az) Observed objects: 68 in constellations: Andromeda, Aquila, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Lacerta, Lyra, Sagitta & Vulpecula |
| Carbon Stars: 51 Planetary Nebulae: 6 Galaxies: 1 Double Stars: 3 Asterisms: 7 |
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 Friday 30 September 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 4/5 Seeing: 9/10 Limiting magnitude: ±5.0 Maximum SQM: 20.14 |
| Details |
| Time: 21:20 - 1:40 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 72 in constellations: Andromeda, Cepheus, Cygnus, Draco, Lacerta, Pegasus & Perseus |
| Carbon Stars: 24 Open Clusters: 6 Globular Clusters: 1 Planetary Nebulae: 1 Galaxies: 27 Double Stars: 13 |
 Thursay 29 September 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 2/5 Seeing: 6/10 Limiting magnitude: ±4.0 Maximum SQM: 19.93 |
| Details |
| Time: 21:10 - 0:10 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar & Alt/Az) Observed objects: 71 in constellations: Cassiopeia, Cygnus & Perseus |
| Carbon Stars: 56 Open Clusters: 2 Galaxies: 1 Double Stars: 12 |
 Wednesday 28 September 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 3/5 Seeing: 6/10 Limiting magnitude: ±4.0 Maximum SQM: 20.14 |
| Details |
| Time: 21:15 - 23:35 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 34 in constellations: Andromeda, Cygnus, Equuleus, Lacerta & Pegasus |
| Carbon Stars: 6 Open Clusters: 21 Double Stars: 7 |
    Thursday 1 September 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 4/5 Seeing: 7/10 Limiting magnitude: ±4.5 Maximum SQM: 20.23 |
| The sky is clear and calm, light pollution is not interfering too much, especially towards the zenith. Half an hour or so after midnight high clouds are drifting in from the south while transparency decreases. |
| Details |
| Time: 22:35 - 0:30 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 42 in constellation: Cygnus |
| Open Clusters: 29 Double Stars: 13 |
| A night of open clusters in Cygnus. Many of
these clusters are lesser known, quite difficult objects that sometimes are
no more than a spread out group of quite faint stars. That being said it is
a challenge to observe as much details and patterns as possible in these
objects. Also, many of tonight's clusters are giving away double stars.
Sometimes within the cluster, sometimes in its immediate surroundings. In
total I can add 13 of them as bonus observations. Almost thirty minutes after midnight, just as I am starting with objects in a second observing guide the transparency rapidly decreases, forcing me to pack up early. |
 Thursday 21
July 2011 - Bagnols en Fôret, France |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 5/5 Seeing: 7/10 Limiting magnitude: ±5.0 Maximum SQM: 20.62 |
| Clear, dry air, at times light winds from the west. Transparency and seeing are good. In the south, close to the horizon the light pollution of the small town of Frejus is somewhat interfering. After one 'o clock at night the moonlight begins to hinder deepsky observations. |
| Details |
| Time: 23:20 - 1:25 Telescope: ETX-105AT (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 44 in constellations: Aquila, Cygnus, Draco, Hercules, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Scorpius, Scutum, Sagitta, Sagittarius & Vulpecula |
| Open Clusters: 12 Globular Clusters: 17 Planetaire Nevels: 7 Nebulae: 3 Galaxies: 3 Double Stars: 2 |
| For tonight's observation
I made a selection of relatively bright, mostly southern objects to observe
using a small travelscope during this family vaction.
I have selected
objects based on their visibility and the rating I
previously gave them
while observing with larger telescopes. I give these ratings on a
scale from 1 to 10. Tonight I will stick to the objects with an average
rating of 6 or higher. The list, not surprisingly, contains many Messier and
well known NGC objects. I copied the selection to
a .pdf file which I use behind the telescope as a guide on my iPad.
Simultaneously with observations, just as I did during the previous night a
timelapse sequence is running. Although I find an iPad very useful to quickly obtain relevant information, also while observing, I quickly notice that it is easier to just use a paper page from an observing guide in combination with a red flashlight instead of a relatively heavy iPad. In addition an iPad makes for an inevitable source of light. That being said it is possible to cover it in red foil, something I will definitely give a try. Tonight the use of the iPad works reasonably well and I have all relevant information of the objects available without having to carry around complete binders containing guides. While observing it is noticeable how a small telescope performs under reasonably good conditions. It's quite dark and the sky is dry which makes for very good transparency. With the exception of two double stars I previously observed all of tonight's objects which lead to a high degree of recognition. Of course you can't expect a small scope to do the same as a large one although in many objects, especially globular cluster, I do see quite some detail.    After the moonlight starts to interfere too much I pack up the telescope and take
a look around to ensure I have not forgotten anything. In the light of my
flashlight I discover an uninvited observing buddy named
Hogna Radiata whom I did not invite but who apparently kept me company.
As far as I'm concerned he can go do other things next time.... |
 La Montagne, France (26 April - 5 May 2011) |
| Observing Time: 23:35 hours Telescope: 12" LX200ACF Recorded Observations: 552 in constellations: Boötes, Draco, Hercules, Leo, Libra, Scutum, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor & Virgo |
| Carbon Stars: 21 Globular Clusters: 1 Planetaire Nevels: 2 Galaxies: 499 Double Stars: 29 |
|
From 26 April until 5 May I was in France together with
Erwin Kats for an
observing and astrophotography vacation. In six nights I logged 552
observations, 467 of which for objects I never before observed.
Milestones were my 4000th individual object, 2000th individual deepsky
object and 1500th individual galaxy. Unfortunately the vacation was cut short by a day due to urgent family matters. |
 Wednesday 4 May |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 5/5 Seeing: 8/10 Limiting magnitude: ±6.5 Maximum SQM: 21.41 |
| Extremely clear, no wind, seeing and transparency are very good. |
| Details |
| Time: 22:25 - 3:30 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 125 in constellations: Ursa Major, Virgo, Boötes & Hercules |
| Galaxies: 120 Double Stars: 5 |
 Tuesday 3 May |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 5/5 Seeing: 5/10 Limiting magnitude: ±6.5 Maximum SQM: 21.50 |
| Extremely clear, early in the night winds are light and from the northwest. Early at night the transparency is not perfect yet, but it keeps improving the later is gets. |
| Details |
| Time: 22:20 - 4:10 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 187 in constellations: Leo, Virgo, Boötes, Hercules & Scutum |
| Carbon Stars: 6 Planetaire Nevels: 1 Galaxies: 166 Double Stars: 14 |
 |
 Sunday 1 May |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 4/5 Seeing: 6/10 Limiting magnitude: ±6.0 Maximum SQM: 21.46 |
| Clear but humid skies, no wind, from time to time clouds are drifting by from the south-southeast. From around ten past twelve until ten past one skies were completely clouded, to then clear again. |
| Details |
| Time: 22:40 - 1:30 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 54 in constellations: Virgo & Boötes |
| Galaxies: 53 Double Stars: 1 |
 Saturday 30 April |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 5/5 Seeing: 6/10 Limiting magnitude: ±6.5 Maximum SQM: 21.59 |
| Clear skies and no wind. Around one 'o clock at night clouds drift in from the southeast and the atmosphere becomes slightly more humid. |
| Details |
| Time: 22:25 - 1:45 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 77 in constellations: Draco & Ursa Major |
| Planetary Nebulae: 1 Galaxies: 74 Double Stars: 2 |
 |
 Friday 29 April |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 4/5 Seeing: 7/10 Limiting magnitude: ±6.0 Maximum SQM: 21.71 |
| After a cloudy day the skies have cleared. There is no wind and the atmosphere is very humid which decreases the limiting magnitude trough the telescope by 1/2 to 1 magnitude. |
| Details |
| Time: 23:30 - 3:40 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 92 in constellations: Draco & Hercules |
| Globular Clusters: 1 Galaxies: 84 Double Stars: 7 |
 |
 Wednesday 27 April |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 3/5 Seeing: 5/10 Limiting magnitude: ±5.0 Maximum SQM: 21.41 |
| No wind, clouds are drifting by almost continuously from the northwest. |
| Details |
| Time: 22:35 - 0:55 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Alt/Az) Observed objects: 17 in constellations: Draco, Libra, Ursa Minor & Virgo |
| Carbon Stars: 15 Galaxies: 2 |
 Monday 7 March 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 5/5 Seeing: 7/10 Limiting magnitude: ±5.5 Maximum SQM: 20.30 |
| Extremely clear and the atmosphere is very
dry. Conditions like these are rare in the Netherlands. Despite the excellent atmospheric conditions the light pollution of the city of 's-Hertogenbosch is hindering observations. Only after eleven 'o clock does this decrease notably. |
| Details |
| Time: 21:35 - 2:00 Telescope: 12" LX200ACF (Polar) Observed objects: 63 in constellations: Lynx, Cancer, Leo, Ursa Major & Coma Berenices |
| Carbon Stars: 7 Planetaire Nevels: 1 Galaxies: 55 |
 Wednesday 2 March 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 3/5 Seeing: 4/10 Limiting magnitude: ±3.5 Maximum SQM: 20.07 |
| The transparency is quite bad, there clearly is a lot of humidity in the atmosphere. It's cloudy in the north and below thirty degrees of the horizon no stars are visible. Winds are strong and from the north. The lights at the fields in Vinkel remain illuminated until approximately ten 'o clock. Due to the humid atmosphere the light pollution is quite noticable, although this decreases after ten ó clock. |
| Details |
| Time: 20:40 - 22:25 Telescope: ETX-105AT (Polar) Observed objects: 28 in constellations: Orion, Monoceros & Cancer |
| Carbon Stars: 13 Open Clusters: 13 Double Stars: 2 |
 Saturday 29 January 2011 - MVC Berlicum |
| Environmentals |
| Transparency: 3/5 Seeing: 7/10 Limiting magnitude: ±4.0 Maximum SQM: 20.24 |
| Altough skies are clear the transparency leaves much to be desired. From the north humid air is drifting in. The light pollition is interfering with observations until approximately 30 degrees above the horizon. There is no wind and the temperature is a few degrees below freezing. |
| Details |
| Time: 20:30 - 22:40 Telescope: ETX-105AT (Polar) Observed objects: 41 in constellations: Taurus, Orion, Auriga & Gemini |
| Carbon Stars: 15 Open Clusters: 18 Nebulae: 2 Planetaire Nevels: 2 Supernova Remnants: 1 Double Stars: 1 Asterisms: 2 |
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