Cartes du Ciel

Cartes du Ciel, or Skychart, is among my favorite tools for observing. The interface is as full-featured and customizable as commercial offerings, it doesn't require massive space on the hard drive, nor does it eat up the computer's resources when running. I use it primarily for creating observing lists and printing charts, but it also includes a telescope driver for the computerized set. And it's free.

Cartes du Ciel
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Observing 07.02.11

It was a hot night, but the skies were good. On this evening I was primarily tracking down Objects for the Astronomical League Globular Cluster list, with a few Binocular Messier list objects. Many of these are a bit difficult for the star hopping Astronomer and a mid-sized reflector, but it was generally fruitful night. Here's what I was able to catch:

Ophiuchus

• NGC6426, Herschel 400, Globular Cluster
• NGC6517, Herschel 400, GLobular Cluster
• NGC6366, Globular Cluster
• IC1257, GLobular Cluster
• M14, Globular Cluster
• M10, Globular Cluster
• M12, Globular Cluster

Bootes

• NGC5557, Herschel 400 - ~11 mag, this one was difficult

Serpens Caput

• M5, Binocular Messier
• Also tried to see Palomar 5, just below M5, with the telescope, but gave up

Ursa Major

• M40, Binocular Messier

Draco

• Tried to find NGC 6543, the cat eye nebula, to no avail

Also enjoyed viewing the Ring Nebula, M13, CR399 (the coat hanger), Lyra Delta 1&2 (double star), numerous satellites, the ISS, heat lightening, and fireworks from a nearby Independence Day party.

Instruments: 10" f4.7 Dobsonian telescope | Oberwerk 20x80mm binoculars
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