Occasionally, I get a letter from someone who is in 'contact' with aliens. I am invited to ask them anything. And over the year's I've prepared a little list of questions. The aliens are very advanced remember. So I ask things like, 'Please provide a short proof of Fermat's Last Theorem'. I write out the simple theorem equation with the exponents. It's a simulating exercise to think of questions to which no human today knows the answers, but where a correct answer would be recognised as such. It's even more challenging to formulate such questions in fields other than mathematics. Perhaps we should hold a contest and collect the best responses in '10 Questions to Ask an Alien'.
/ Carl Sagan /



In memoriam Halton C. Arp (1927-2013).


My astronomy sketches. Hover mouse over image for the inverted look. For fainter objects, take a look at the black-on-white original, sometimes it reveals more details.


Need advice? Want to discuss an observation? Feel free to contact me at flovro gmail*com.

ÚJ! Amennyiben elérhető, a ikonra kattintva magyarul is olvashatod az észlelést.


Show me the newest sketches!
By type: open clusters [67] globular clusters [14] diffuse nebulae [3] dark nebulae [0] planetary nebulae [27] variable stars [18] binary stars [23] asterisms [2] galaxies [119] quasars [1] planets [2] minor planets [1] comets [5] Sun [0] Moon [5] other objects [8]
By catalogue: Messier 1-50 [20] Messier 51-110 [18] NGC 1-1000 [17] NGC 1001-2000 [21] NGC 2001-3000 [32] NGC 3001-4000 [25] NGC 4001-5000 [18] NGC 5001-6000 [22] NGC 6001-7000 [40] NGC 7001-7840 [35] IC 1-5386 [1] other catalogues [71] uncataloged [10] [25]
By constellation:



NGC 40 (Planetary nebula)
Also known as: Bow Tie Nebula
Right ascension: 0h 14m Declination: 72° 36'
Constellation: Cepheus
Date/time: 2012.09.11 23:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 7' Magnification and filter(s): 469x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.25 m/as2 Temperature: 11°C
Humidity: low Wind: none
Sight: 4 - lots of details, very interesting, unique look
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A wonderful yet tiny little planetary. At small magnification (71x in my case) it looks like a slightly defocused star, however by increasing the power it soon starts to develop into a nice, perfectly round planetary nebula. Some details that also appea: to the South of the bright central star you may notice a small brighter blob, and to the West a bright feature can be seen that resembles a spiral arm of a galaxy. Doesn't react at all on UHC filter, but with an O-III it's size apparently grows, however the central star completely disappears, which is a bit weird, because the Westward star stays in the field even if it's fainter than the central star of the nebula. With low power it has a tint of purple-blue.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 40 (Planetary nebula)
Also known as: Bow Tie Nebula
Right ascension: 0h 14m Declination: 72° 36'
Constellation: Cepheus
Date/time: 2012.10.20 21:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 7' Magnification and filter(s): 469x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 4/5
SQM: 21.14 m/as2 Temperature: 10°C
Humidity: high Wind: none
Sight: 3 - definite details, interesting look
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 4 - hard, complex starhopping needed
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Tiny planetary, at 71x it looks like a star with a small halo. Especially with averted vision you can see its round shape. At high magnification I discover lots of details, for example a thin, brighter arc on its Northern border, and a brighter blob next to the central star to the South, and a darker patch to the Southwest. With averted vision, the round shape transforms to a little bit of oval, elongated in the East to West direction.

What makes this observation special is that it is actually an error, because I've already observed this object about a month ago, but again, I failed to mark this object in my list of observed objects: click here for that observation. So I've sketched it again, and what's more interesting is that I have used the same magnification! Although the subjective classification is a bit different, but alltogether the two observations are quite the same.

Lessons learned: a.) the faint details I've sketched last time were also there this night, so I have a strong proof now that I can trust my senses, even if the details are extremely faint or low-contrast. b.) I'm getting older, shouldn't trust my memory anymore. :)


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 404 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Mirach's ghost
Right ascension: 1h 10m Declination: 36° 46'
Constellation: Andromeda
Date/time: 2009.11.23 23:45 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 15' Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

This galaxy, also know as Mirach's ghost, not surprisingly is located near the bright star Mirach of the constellation Andromeda. Some have reported difficulties seeing this object, because although it's fairly bright, the glowing of the nearby Mirach easily outshines it. For me, it was visible easily from the start, but after I've increased the magnification to 250x, I was finally able to examine the structure of the galaxy without Mirach in the FoV. You may need eyepieces with good anti-glare coating to disturbing light rays. The galaxy itself is very small, round, with some suspectedly brighter details at its Northern corner, albeit this may be the result of an optical error only. SQM reading: 21.0 m/arcsec2, 9°C.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 457 (Open cluster)
Also known as: Owl cluster
Right ascension: 1h 19m Declination: 58° 17'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2008.01.31 19:45 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 31' Magnification and filter(s): 71x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A sparsely populated open cluster that is limited by Phi Cas from the east. Prevailed by nearly a dozen stars of mag 10-11 with nearly identical colour and luminosity. In the background of these are fainter, nearly 13 mag stars of at least double the amount, which clearly form a cluster with their brighter companions despite the big difference in brightness.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 457 (Open cluster)
Also known as: ET cluster, Owl cluster
Right ascension: 1h 20m Declination: 58° 22'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2011.12.08 23:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 40' Magnification and filter(s): 71x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 1/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

I've already sketched this object about four years ago, actually it was one of my first sketches. That time the sky was great, but this time I decided to put it on paper when the conditions were definitely poor. The idea behind was to simulate the night sky conditions when I last saw this object earlier this year from Budapest, our highly light-polluted capitol. So the sketch was done with a full Moon and light clouds all over the sky. SQM reading: 15.98m/arcsec2, 3°C. Dedicated to my friend Györgyi, she knows why. ;)


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

M103 (Open cluster)
Also known as: NGC 581
Right ascension: 1h 33m Declination: 60° 42'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2008.02.19 20:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 27' Magnification and filter(s): 71x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 3/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

On a night with a near fullmoon, when planetary nebulaes and galaxies are an impossible mission, brighter open clusters such as the M103 are still sparkling vividly in the eyepiece. The OC that's 6' in diameter can be located near the Delta Cas, especially spectacular on low magnification. In its neighborhood one may find such other interesting clusters like the Trumpler 1, the NGC 663 or the NGC 659, all of which worth a look even from light-polluted places.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 637 (Open cluster)
Right ascension: 1h 44m Declination: 64° 6'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2012.11.03 19:45 UT
Equipment: 4.5" f/8 Newtonian
FoV: 21' Magnification and filter(s): 180x
Seeing: 8/10 Transparency: 2/5
SQM: 20.06 m/as2 Temperature: 13°C
Humidity: low Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 2 - easily visible, some dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 2 - easy, bright star nearby
Location: Lipótfa, Zselic, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Tiny little open cluster, compact but sparsely populated. I assume that only 8 of the stars in the FoV are the members of this OC. The full moonjust below my horizon is quickly ruining the sky background, worth taking a look under more favorable conditions, because I suspect that what I see is only a minor part of what I could really observe with this scope.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 770 + NGC 772 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 2h 0m Declination: 19° 4'
Constellation: Aries
Date/time: 2010.10.14 23:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 24' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 3/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

At first its a rather heavy sight, NGC 772 seem to be spinning around its centre, hard to catch its real shape. Later as my eye gets used to the view, the galaxy settles in its actual form. Suddenly something even fainter appears above NGC 772 to the SW, first as a fuzzy star, then as time goes it starts to grow and become the tiny little galaxy of NGC 770. Near the end of my sketching session NGC 772 starts to show some details: first it seems that it has some dense part to the North. A bit later it turns obvious that it's one large spiral arm. A really challenging pair! SQM reading: 21.12 m/arcsec2, 3°C, light wind, almost dry air.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 869 + NGC 884 (Open cluster)
Also known as: Double Cluster
Right ascension: 2h 21m Declination: 57° 12'
Constellation: Perseus
Date/time: 2009.07.26 1:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 1° Magnification and filter(s): 45x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
Location: Jászszentlászló, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

This observation and sketch was made on an early dawn hour in the Kiskun Astro Camp near the village of Jászszentlászló, Hungary. As the Sun was already approaching the southern horizon, the NELM was getting worse at a high rate. Therefore I've decided to sketch something easy that's made of many bright stars. Out of a sudden I've picked the famous Double Cluster, which turned out to be a paint to sketch with their plenty of bright stars. So, I was racing with the Sun, as the Venus was already high above the horizon. Under country skies, this pair of open clusters can be seen to the naked eye as a small fuzzy spot near the easily recognizable W-shape of the constellation Cassiopeia. It's one of the most remarkable objects of the Northern Hemisphere, so I can't really imagine why it was not included in the famous catalogue of Messier. From my home country it is a circumpolar object, so it can be seen through the entire year. It's so easy, that it cen be resolved with the smallest telescopes or binoculars, therefore an great catch for everyone. SQM reading: 20.91 m/arcsec^2, 9°C.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 278 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Herschel H159-1
Right ascension: 53h 00m Declination: 47° 38'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2015.12.30 19:15 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 12' Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Seeing: 3/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.06 m/as2 Temperature: -7°C
Humidity: low Wind: breeze
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 3 - moderately visible, dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Surprisingly small galaxy, but appears easily even at 71x. Not really faint, with a brighter core that isn't stellar, but looks rather like a small disk.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 660 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 1h 44m Declination: 13° 44'
Constellation: Pisces
Date/time: 2016.11.22 21:15 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 13' Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.21 m/as2 Temperature: 2°C
Humidity: moderate Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

This galaxy has an elongation of SW-NE direction, it's quite faint yet immediately visible in the FoV. Looks somewhat asymmetrical with its mass more pronounced towards its NE side. Its core isn't stellar but it looks like a large loaf of bread and it is moderately brighter than the surface of the galaxy.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 185 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 0h 40m Declination: 48° 26'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2016.11.22 22:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 25' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.05 m/as2 Temperature: 2°C
Humidity: high Wind: none
Sight: 3 - definite details, interesting look
Difficulty: 1 - instantly visible, no dark adaptation or averted vision needed
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Large, a little bit oval shaped bright galaxy. It's very gently elongated SW-NE. The core is visibly brighter than the rest, and looks as if there's a mustache-shaped feature on its major axis. This detail is not readily visible, takes a bit of patience and time to appear. The humidity of the air is getting extremely high, making the circumstances far from ideal.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 972 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 02h 35m Declination: 29° 23'
Constellation: Aries
Date/time: 2017.01.19 22:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 13' Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.09 m/as2 Temperature: -7°C
Humidity: moderate Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Faint galaxy, however it is instantly visible in the FoV. Elongated highly to the N-S. Looks smooth at first, but after a lengthy observation it starts to display two brighter little knots to the East of the galactic core.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 381 (Open cluster)
Right ascension: 01h 10m Declination: 61° 41'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2017.10.17 19:55 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 11' Magnification and filter(s): 214x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 2/5
SQM: 20.55 m/as2 Temperature: 12°C
Humidity: high Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 3 - moderately visible, dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 2 - easy, bright star nearby
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

This sparse open cluster has a population of faint stars, nearly all of them has identical brightness. Contains about 30 stars, although probably there would be more if the sky background was less bright. Barely separates from its stellar neighborhood at small magnification, increasing the power makes it easier to separate. I detect no hint of a diffuse background.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 559 (Open cluster)
Right ascension: 01h 31m Declination: 63° 24'
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Date/time: 2017.10.17 20:20 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 14' Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 2/5
SQM: 20.71 m/as2 Temperature: 10°C
Humidity: high Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 2 - easy, bright star nearby
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

This loose, compact cluster is populated by very faint stars. In the middle a brighter triangle can be seen surrounded by about two dozens of fainter members. At 71x it separates better from its environment that is surprisingly poor in stars, however I need to push the magnification to resolve the faint cluster members. The high humidity makes the sky background very bright, I suspect a much better view if the conditions are great.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 744 (Open cluster)
Right ascension: 02h 00m Declination: 55° 34'
Constellation: Perseus
Date/time: 2017.10.19 19:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 21' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.31 m/as2 Temperature: 7°C
Humidity: high Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 3 - moderately visible, dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Small open cluster. The brightness of its members is highly varying: numerous faint and some bright stars make this cluster up. Located in an environment that is rich in stars, so it's very difficult to separate from its neighborhood. It's the typical example of a cluster that an artificial intelligence wouldn't be able to recognize, but for the human eye (and brain) it is very easy to see.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 16 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 23h 28m Declination: 25° 11'
Constellation: Pegasus
Date/time: 2017.10.19 21:50 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 17' Magnification and filter(s): 250x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.41 m/as2 Temperature: 6°C
Humidity: high Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 2 - easy, bright star nearby
Location: Talpa Minor Observatory
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Faint, very small oval galaxy with an elongation to the NNE-SSW. The core is disk shaped and is obviously brighter than the galactic surface. Visible already with low magnification, but the shape can only be seen clearly at higher powers.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]
Sign in

Username:
Password:



Articles

About me
My equipment

DIY - Cheshire Eyepiece
DIY - Apodizing mask

Messier Marathon 2013 Tavasz [magyarul]
Messier Marathon 2015 Tavasz [PDF]NEW!


Advertisement


All text and images are ©opyright of Ferenc Lovró. All rights reserved worldwide.

[2163611]