[Lvas] Revised M-2 Report with Sketch

[roger ivester]

All,

 

I have attempted to sketch M-2 as John Mallas presented in The Messier Album. I think that this is a pretty good representation or replication of his original sketch.

 

Roger  






From: drivester at hotmail.com
To: lvas at lvlug.org
Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 21:22:36 +0000
Subject: [Lvas] An Ironic Occurence



LVAS,
 
Walter Scott Houston wrote a monthly column in Sky & Telescope magazine. "Deep-Sky Wonders" began in 1946 until his death December 23, 1993. He had articles completed that would continue to be published for six months after his death.
 
His last column appeared in July 1994. I was most interested in WSH's articles each month, and normally read it first. I was very saddened to hear of his death. 
 
Today I was going to recommend to the LVAS an object for the July "Observer's Challenge". I was thinking seriously about the central star in M-27, but was also considering M-2 a globular cluster in Aquarius which culminates during July. 
 
In the Messier Album, John Mallas performed a sketch of M-2 showing a distinct curving dark lane crossing the northeast corner. His sketch was made using a 4-inch f/15 refractor. I have attempted to see this lane with a variety of telescopes but have been unable to see it. It has been my intentions to go back and look for the lane this year. 

 

I wanted to follow the footsteps of John Mallas and use my 4-inch Vixen f/9.8 refractor for a hopeful sighting and a sketch.


It should also be noted that for as long as I remember reading, Deep-Sky Wonders, Houston's primary scope was an Alvin Clark 4-inch refractor.   

 
I remembered that WSH's last column was in the July 1994 issue of S&T. I also wanted to consider for our July observer's challenge, the last object that he discussed, after almost 50 years of writing Deep-Sky Wonders. 
 
Walter Scott Houston's last object after 48 years of "Deep-Sky Wonders was M-2. 
 
I would like to propose or recommend that we consider M-2 and the dark lane for the July 2009 "observer's challenge" to commemorate WSH's last object, exactly 15 years after his death.
 
How about M-2 and the curving dark lane?
 
Roger ivester
   
 
    

 
 
 
    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










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