Download SSG Coordinators will be at the Cronan Ranch observing site at 5

SIERRA STAR GAZERS
Observations for the January 15th Star Party
SSG Coordinators will be at the Cronan Ranch observing site at 5:30 pm to assist
observers with basic telescope setup procedures, Newtonian mirror collimation, and
polar alignment questions. Cronan Ranch is an excellent low altitude venue for quality
observing while staying relatively warm, AND there is a porta-potty on site!
Please turn off your headlights, park your vehicle and set up your instruments as
directed.
Over the years the SSG Coordinators have made (and survived) just about every setup
and observing error possible, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Remember, if you are fortunate to have more than one eyepiece, always begin
observing each object with the least magnification possible.
If you don’t have a telescope at this time, come join us anyway. We enjoy sharing.
January brings cold evenings that can put a damper on observing. Experienced
observers dress in layers and ALWAYS wear a warm hat, preferably one that can cover
the ears. A thermos of a hot beverage is guaranteed to make your innards toasty and
your time at the eyepiece more memorable.
The evenings observing program will begin by casting our eyes on the brightest, and
closest, major galaxy in our sky. Then we’ll search out and observe some open star
clusters, magnificent Jupiter, and Mars. The descriptions of some objects may include
apparent size in minutes of arc (‘). For comparison, the full Moon is 30 minutes of arc, or
1/2:
SSG Lead Host – Forrest Lockhart
Constellations
Tonight we’ll be observing objects in the constellations Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and
Taurus, plus two planets.
Andromeda
(S&T Pocket Sky Atlas – pg 3 )
Andromeda is easily found almost directly overhead and just south of the familiar “M”
asterism of Cassiopeia. The constellation is home to the most observed galaxy in the
sky, and two companions that can be a challenge. Use low magnification to locate the
objects, then slowly ferret out subtle details that casual observers frequently miss.
Messier 31 is the closest major galaxy to our own. At about 2.5 million light years
distant, M31 is one of the most distant objects visible to the unaided eye. The
galaxy is tilted about 30 to our line of sight. With about 300 billion stars spread
across a 130,000 light year disk, this is an object worth spending some time with.
Of interest is that M31 is approaching us at about 185 miles per second. In about
5 billion years the two galaxies will collide and eventually merge into a single
elliptical galaxy.
Messier 32 is a small dwarf elliptical companion of M31. While photos of M31
frequently show M32 very close to its larger companions spiral arms, through the
telescope you will need to look further out. M32 will be seen as a faint oval some
distance from M31. At low to medium magnification you will first see a featureless
oval glow. More inspection may reveal a faint outer envelope around the star-like
core.
Messier 110 is another small companion of M31. While it is also an elliptical
galaxy, it is larger than M32 and even further away from the observable arms of
the parent. Look to the northwest of M31’s core to find it. Under a very dark sky
scopes in the 4” range under medium to high magnification may glimpse a faint
dust lane and some surface mottling.
Cassiopeia
(S&T Pocket Sky Atlas – pg 1 – 3)
This constellation is one of the most recognized in the sky due to its prominent M (or W)
asterism. Cassiopeia is also a circumpolar constellation, meaning that it can be
observed at any time of the year if you have a clear northern horizon. Here we can
easily locate two attractive open star clusters that are visual delights in scopes of any
size.
Messier 52 is an open cluster about 5,100 light years away. Easily seen through
binos as a uniform glow, the cluster has an approximate diameter of 16’ and an
overall magnitude of 6.9. M52 is about 20 million years old and is 24 light years
in diameter. Look for a remarkable 8th magnitude topaz star on the cluster’s
edge, which is not a true cluster member.
Messier 103 is among the most easily found clusters. Situated about 8,130 light
years away, it is situated well within a low power field of view with delta () Cass.
M103 is a loose cluster of 10th & 11th magnitude stars concentrated within a 6’
area that some imagine to form a Christmas tree shape.
Taurus
(S&T Pocket Sky Atlas – pg 15 & Closeup Chart A)
This constellation is best known for the bull horned V asterism with orange super-giant,
Aldebaran at one tip, and enclosing the magnificent Hyades star cluster. But the real
star of Taurus is what many consider to be the most widely known open star cluster in
the sky.
Messier 45 is the famous open cluster known as the Pleiades, or the Seven
Sisters. Mistaken by some to be the Little Dipper, the stars of the Pleiades were
formed from a contracting cloud of gas and dust about 20 million years ago. At a
distance of only 407 light years from us, the nine brightest stars encompass a
true diameter of 7 light years. These new, very hot type O and B stars burn at a
combined light of 1.5 magnitudes. The cluster is swathed in a very faint
gossamer veil of blue dust that teases the eye and mind. Strangely, this dusty
reflection nebulosity has no real connection with the birth of the cluster. Recent
studies indicate that the original birth cloud has long since been blown away.
What we perceive today is another dusty cloud that the cluster happens to be
passing through at this time. In fact, the cluster and the dust cloud are traveling in
opposite directions! What we see is not necessarily what we get. 
Messier 1 is the famed Crab Nebula. M1 is actually the remnants of a supernova
that became visible in the year 1054. Chinese astrologers recorded the “New
Star” which remained visible for over two weeks in broad daylight. M1 is easy to
find in scopes or binoculars by extending an imaginary line from the
southernmost horn of Taurus through Aldebaran out to  Tauri, then looking just
a bit north. If you have any problems finding M1, ask one of the SSG
coordinators for assistance. Once found, it is an easy target.
Planetary Observing
Jupiter, now sliding toward the western horizon, is a dynamic experience with anything
from binoculars to the largest telescopes. Periodic observations over an hour or so will
reveal motion of the inner moons and obvious rotation of the planet.
Mars will be at planetary opposition on January 29th, however, this opposition will not be
favorable for observers. While, due to the elliptical orbit of our neighboring planet, Mars
can close to less than 35 million miles on some occasions, the 2010 opposition will see
Mars approaching to a distant 61.7 million miles from earth. At that distance Mars will
appear only 14.7 seconds of arc in diameter. There is one bright side, however. At the
2012 opposition Mars will appear only 13.8 seconds of arc in size
Forrest Lockhart
SSG Coordinator