[Lvas] FW: Observing the Propeller

[Jonathan Kade]

Roger and all,

The M-13 propeller is one of those famed characteristics I've tried to
see with a variety of instruments, with no real success.  True dark
skies would probably help a great deal.  Here's a discussion that
shows a pretty good candidate - though it's a far cry from Lord
Rosse's giant centered propeller.

http://www.popastro.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=675&sid=afe5a0521c99b986d76d682b7d2ef5ac

Then again, his sketch of M1 had more to do with crustaceans than with
nebulae, too ;)

I have a certain suspicion of "sweet spot" telescopes for particular
details in objects.  I can't help but recall J.B. Sidgwick's advice
that, for some reason, the canals on Mars were best observed with an
instrument of moderate aperture.

Clear skies,

Jonathan

On Wed, May 6, 2009 at 10:45 AM, roger ivester <drivester at hotmail.com> wrote:
> LVAS all,
>
> Just wanted to share an e-mail from earlier this morning, sent to some of
> my local observing friends.
>
> I want to have some company for additional notes and the opportunity to
> observe through a slightly larger scope than my 10-inch. We will work on
> this months objects, the M-65/66 group as well as the June objects.
>
> I want to use a 12-inch Dob owned by Steve Davis "especially" for the M-13
> "propeller", as this was the size used by Bortle and Di Cicco for their
> sightings.
>
> All of these guys are fabulous imagers, but for this session it will be
> "visual" only. Hopefully we can pull this off in a couple of weeks or
> so. This should make for a nice report in the LV "Observers Challenge".
>
> See the following e-mail...
>
> Roger Ivester
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: drivester at hotmail.com
> To: steve.davis at fascontrols.com; blclapper at yahoo.com;
> dolive at gardner-webb.edu; jdire at gardner-webb.edu; drivester at hotmail.com
> Subject: Observing the Propeller
> Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 12:02:45 +0000
>
>
> Steve, Brett, Dr. Don, Dr. Jim
>
> RE: M-13 and the three dark lanes as first mentioned by WSH in the July 1953
> edition of S&T.
>
> Steve, you do have a portable 12-inch Dob...correct?
>
> Could we plan a "serious" observing session at the top of Moore Mountain, in
> an attempt to try and follow John Bortle and Dennis di Cicco's observations?
>
> Both were able to see the three dark rifts in 1980 and 1981 using 12-inch
> reflectors. There may be something special about this aperture in regard to
> seeing the lanes.
>
> If you recall from the previous e-mails, Dennis di Cicco was using the
> 12-inch porter scope at Stellafane and found them easy at 180x. Bortle had a
> 12.5 inch and was using 176x
>
> We have plenty of time, but this month might be good for an observation only
> 20 mins N of Boiling Springs. I want to do a sketch, as a verification that
> we saw the "propeller"... if indeed it is possible. Other than the 1850's
> sketch by Lord Rosse I personally have never seen another
> sketch...especially modern day.
>
> Jim, Don this would present another possibility for an article in S&T next
> spring...if we are successful.
>
> Steve, you have invited me on many occasions to go with you to the Mt.
> Mitchell overlook at 4800 ft. I promise if we can not achieve this project
> here, I would be honored to go with you....really.
>
> I have an obsessive desire to attempt this endeavor and I want a sketch.
> This is also our "Observers Challenge" project with the Las Vegas group for
> June.  We will also work on the M-65/66 and NGC-3628 for this month LV
> report.
>
> Gentlemen, please let me know your thoughts regarding...
>
> Roger
>
>
>
>
>
>     I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth
> and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the
> heavens and say there is no God.      Abraham Lincoln
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. See how.
>
> ________________________________
> Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. Check it out.
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via the Lvas mailing list Lvas at lvlug.org
> Set options or unsubscribe at http://lvlug.org/mailman/listinfo/lvas
> The LVAS discussion list is hosted courtesy of LasVegas.Net
>
>