Posted December 15, 2015 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
Thank you for visiting my site and I’m hopeful you’ll find it interesting.
6-inch f/6 Newtonian (below) which is now becoming my favorite telescope, due to the smaller size and weight, versus my 10-inch pictured above.
My most used telescopes as following:
The following 80mm f/5 refractor was a gift to me by my son, Brad. I enjoy using this telescope when time is limited and for brighter deep-sky objects.
My other hobby: Still riding a bicycle as of current with about 135,000 miles since June 1979. However, it would take me 29 years to log 100,000 miles in October 2009. I continue to ride even to this day, but not as fast or as many miles.
Another interest or hobby of mine for “almost” 50 years (as of 2026) is lifting weights, and for the past 10 years with my wife. Good health is the most important thing you have in life: It’s not money, not your house, not cars or any other tangible thing.
We can only “try our best” to take care of our health by eating a healthy diet combined with regular physical exercise.
A few examples of my pencil sketches as following which were made at the eyepiece without any embellishments or computer enhancements.
As following: A good illustration how faint the Helix Nebula appears via a 10-inch Newtonian with a nebulae filter. This planetary appears nothing like a beautiful time lapse, colorful filter enhanced digital image. I used chalk on black card stock to sketch the Helix which was best used to present the true eyepiece appearance.
I’ve never used a computer or any other electronic means to enhance or embellish my visual eyepiece sketches.
Orion nebula: I’ve always felt there is just too much fine detail to properly sketch this famous nebula. I made the following sketch pretty fast, attempted to only draw the most prominent features. Each and every time I’d turn my telescope(s) toward the nebulae to attempt my best ever sketch, I’d become overwhelmed, and would move on to other deep-sky objects.
Hale-Bopp with the anti-tail, gas and dust tails easily seen with a 10-inch Newtonian: Chalk on black card stock, worked best for the famous comet.
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Posted February 14, 2026 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
In about 1991, I began looking for something larger than my 4.5-inch reflector which I was using at that time. The Meade Deep-Space series Newtonian’s consisted of two telescopes: A 10-inch and 16-inch f/4.5 with equatorial mounts.
This was at a time when Meade was building their serious Newtonian’s in their Costa Mesa, facility, which included grinding and polishing mirrors. All of the hardware, bolts and Allen heads on these telescopes and mounts are SAE, not metric, which goes back to days past.
Astronomy Magazine tested a 10-inch DS-10A (The 10A was an updated version with a 2-inch focuser, setting circles, and RA drive) with the magazine giving the test mirror a rating of a B+.
So, in February 1992, I purchased the 10-inch from Pauli’s Wholesale Optics, in Danbury Connecticut. It was Fred (the owner of Pauli’s) that recommended this telescope. It was a good decision as I have been successful in making more than 1,500 deep-sky pencil sketches and thousands of observing notes.
The low pedestal mount is ideal for use with an astro-chair, when making observing notes and pencil sketches at the eyepiece. As for me, it’s impossible to observe and sketch while standing.
The new owner of this fabulous telescope which served me well for 34 years. I spent over 2,000 hours under a night sky and thousands of pencil sketches of deep-sky objects, and the scope is still in pristine condition. The telescope was always stored inside and in a padded zip-up bag.
It was a sad day, but a happy day as the “perfect amateur” came to take this scope. I’m sure it will allow him at least 34 years of deep-sky observing also.
The first night out (Friday February 13th 2026) the new owner has already imaged the Orion Nebula and Jupiter. This is actually an imaging telescope, with the mirror moved up for full illumination, and with an RA drive, which I never used. An extender tube is required for visual observing.
The new owner is a professional high-speed video camera expert for industrial applications and also a seasoned astronomy imager.
Yes….the very first images and on the very first night out! I’d say pretty amazing!
Orion Nebula below
Jupiter
M42 (with night vision) I’d like to encourage more people to get into Night Vision Astro.
Posted February 7, 2026 by rogerivester Categories:T Corona Borealis
The last outburst of T was February 9th 1946, 80 years ago. Renowned variable star observer, Leslie Peltier missed the event due to an illness and went back to bed, which was a mistake. He had planned his observation for 2:30 AM.
To celebrate Peltier’s 80th anniversary of T’s outburst (and Peltier missing it) on February 9th, I had planned to make a cellphone photo at precisely 2:30 AM on the morning of the 9th. Unfortunately, it was completely cloudy.
My “latest” cell photos as following: I hope to keep this effort up, but at the moment…only if I wake up in the early AM. It will be quite a while before Corona Borealis becomes an evening constellation. For those with an interest in keeping up with T, it is in excellent sky position at about 3:00 AM and later.
Following photos: I’ll post the most current or recent first, and drop off the last…maintaining about five photos or nights for review. However, I save all of my “past” photos in my computer photo files and also in WordPress.
Roger Ivester
Saturday February 14th 2026 @ 4:56 AM
Saturday February 14th 2026
February 13th 2026 @ 4:48AM: Two cellphone photos as following. I woke up late. Corona Borealis is really high in the sky at this time…but in excellent position and above the light dome of Shelby.
4:49 AM February 13th 2026: Magnified photo…
Thursday, February 12th @ 3:15 AM (The handle of Ursa Major in the upper left and Arcturus to the right)
3:15 AM (magnified photo)
Monday, February 10th @ 2:30 AM with a bright moon and in the light dome of Shelby.
Posted February 5, 2026 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
From “Deep-Sky Wonders” Walter Scott Houston: selections and commentary by Stephen James O’Meara:
“Many years ago Glen Chaple, Jr., of Townsend, Massachusetts, “discovered” a deep-sky object in Ophiuchus; he found about two dozen stars forming a group which could be glimpsed with the naked eye. He likened the cluster to the Praesepe in Cancer, but was not plotted on his copy of “Norton’s Star Atlas.” The object does, however, have a name. It is IC 4665 and is listed in the “Index Catalogue” to the NGC. In those days of stargazing, serious deep-sky observers soon learned that no single atlas can suit all their needs. Today, of course, IC 4665 is plotted on most modern star charts.” WSH
Now from Sue French “Deep-Sky Wonders” A Tour of the Universe With Sky & Telescope’s Sue French as following:
“The splashy open cluster IC 4665 is barely within the boundary of the Milky Way on the atlas. It’s easy to spot 1.3º north-northest of Beta Ophiuchi, which shares the field of view through binoculars or a finderscope. In my 15×45 image-stabilized binoculars, the cluster’s prominent core spans more sky than the full Moon, and loosely scattered outliers to 70′. Half its 40 stars outline a rough circlet with one star at its center and a stem that leads westward to a slightly wavy line tipped north-northwest. To me, it looks like a simplistic drawing of a flower springing up from a gently undulating patch of the ground. Finish amateur Jaakko Saloranta comes away with a different impression. Through his 80mm refractor, he sees the group as the Fish Spear of Poseidon. ” Sue French
Posted December 31, 2025 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
I first found out about the Virgo cluster (nine-galaxies all in a 1º FoV) from Tom Lorenzin, author of “1000+ The Amateur Astronomer’s Field Guide to Deep-Sky Observing” on the evening of the Vernal Equinox 1994.
Tom asked me if I’d ever viewed all nine galaxies within a 1° field of view, when centered on M86. I had not, but was most anxious to give it a try. However, It would be years later, on the night of March 16th 1999, before I was able to observe the galaxy group.
With my 10-inch f/4.5 reflector using a 20mm UO Erfle eyepiece for a magnification of 57x and a 1.1º true field. However, I could not see three of the fainter galaxies at this magnification.
So, I was able to sketch six of the galaxies, then increased to 160x using the 20mm EP and a 2.8x Barlow and spotted the fainter ones. I then sketched the three faint galaxies in theirappropriate positions and tried my best to draw them to scale. Very faint galaxies “most often” require greater magnification, especially if they have a brighter surface brightness and well concentrated.
My notes are as follows from March 16th 1999
M84: Bright, with a brighter more concentrated middle, and a mostly round shape.
M86: Bright, brighter middle, round, very similar to M84 but not as well concentrated.
NGC 4387: A very faint mostly round blur. Difficult at best requiring averted vision.
NGC 4388: Low surface brightness, elongated slash with an E-W orientation.
NGC 4402: Very faint slash, low surface brightness.
NGC 4413: Very faint and dim, small, very diffuse with little concentration, mostly round.
NGC 4425: Very faint, elongated, axis NS, small and dim.
NGC 4435: Fairly bright, mostly round, stellar nucleus, smaller than NGC 4438.
NGC 4438: Bright, elongated, with a brighter middle.
Posted December 28, 2025 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
For the past year or more, my Celestron CGE-Pro mount was seemingly having a difficult time centering selected deep-sky objects. The motors also did not sound good at times when moving to the selected objects. I also had to perform a factory reset on the settings every few months.
Rather than updating the firm ware for a 12 year “maybe older” hand controller, my son Brad, surprised me with a new Celestron NexStar+. However, I was concerned if it would be compatible with the older mount, but I’m happy to say…it worked perfectly!
I first updated all my site settings using the new hand controller, which is an easy task using my iPhone compass feature for the time, latitude, and longitude. There are other settings such as DST or Standard, and a few others.
Last night, and with a bright moon, I wanted to verify the mount and hand controller in all functions. I began the sequence of the mount start-up. Then the three-star alignment, which after the first star, were all centered in the telescope field-of-view.
The first thing I noticed was the two motors sounded much smoother. I was actually getting concerned the motors might be having problems. I’d read in an article a jerky motion or sound of the motors was a sign that a motor might be going bad. So, I was now feeling really good, but how would the GoTo function perform when locating deep-sky objects?
My first object was the Andromeda galaxy, and with the sound of both motors, and going in different directions, I anxiously waited for it to stop. I then looked into the eyepiece and the galaxy was perfectly centered! The next object would be planetary nebula M57, far to the west from Andromeda, which would make for a great test. The planetary…like Andromeda was “perfectly centered” in the eyepiece. I then selected about 15 other deep-sky objects, including a few double stars. Everything worked perfectly. I was excited to say the least!
I’m so appreciative to Brad for my new hand controller. Despite not ever using the mount, he always seemed to know much more than me, and all the way from the west coast. 🙂 Electronics and electrical stuff are his thing and occupation...not mine for sure.
The CGE-Pro mount has bronze gears and was the most heavy-duty mount ever sold by Celestron, with a 90 pound payload.
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Is it possible for the very faint halo (as seen in images) of galaxy NGC 474 to be seen visually with a large telescope. I would classify a large telescope as having an aperture of 25-inches or greater? There have been reports in the past, using telescopes in the 18-20 inch range, but I can’t confirm this. I wanted an actual definitive observation of the halo and with documentation to report.
So, this was the question I posed to large telescope owner and observer, Steve Gottlieb via Cloudy Nights.
The outer halo of NGC 474 was examined closely at 375x for evidence of the outer, concentric shells and circular streams that are visible on deep images. Immediately there was a strong sense of arcs from two or more different shells. The easiest arc to confirm was the outermost on the eastern side, which curves south from a mag 13.3 star situated 3.3′ NE of center. The arc passes through a mag 16.3 star and extends 30°-40°. A second outer arc on the northeast side is half the distance (~1.6′) to the center. This arc has a stronger curvature and measures roughly 60°. Only a single outer arc (slightly more difficult to confirm) was noted on the southwest side, 2′-2.5′ from center. My rough sketch shows it also curving ~60°. Additional inner arcs or ripples were strongly sensed in the main halo of the galaxy, but were too subtle and fleeting to pinpoint locations. The center was sharply concentrated with a very prominent 1′ core. The core itself was sharply concentrated to a small, blazing nucleus.Steve Gottlieb
NGC 474 Galaxy Cluster galaxy cluster (or group) consists of three relatively bright galaxies. They are: NGC 467 (mag. 12.9), NGC 470 (mag. 12.5), and NGC 474 (mag. 12.4). This is a fascinating little trio of galaxies, especially because the catalogued largest one, NGC 474, does not visually appear as large as nearby NGC 470. The reason is that NGC 474 has an outer halo that is extremely faint. It has been seen in 18-inch instruments and larger as just a faint brightening of the black background.
My observations on Thursday, December 1, 1994, included three spiral galaxies in Pisces, NGC 467, NGC 470, and NGC 474, each separated by only a few minutes of arc. It became apparent immediately that NGC 470 was the largest and most easily seen of the group, but when I referred to the NGC 2000.0 Catalogue, it listed NGC 474 as being over twice as large as either NGC 470 or NGC 467.
At this point, I concluded that NGC 474 must have a halo that could not be seen visually, or at least not from my back yard. The next day I located a photo of this group, but it did not show a faint outer arm, nor was any halo apparent. The view appeared very similar to what I had seen through my telescope.
I decided that another observation was needed, and made a note in my log to “view at next session.” On Monday, December 16, I went to a dark site in the South Mountains about 30 minutes north of Boiling Springs, North Carolina. This would prove to be the perfect site for another observation, notes and a sketch of these three galaxies. I saw NGC 474 as round, diffuse and with a brighter nucleus. NGC 470, appeared elongated, diffuse, and twice as large as NGC 474.
Next, NGC 467 appeared round, faint halo, with a brighter nucleus, and situated a few minutes N of an 8th magnitude star. It was almost the same apparent size as NGC 474. All three galaxies were very easy to locate, relatively bright, and showed excellent contrast. Again I was bothered concerning the size listing of NGC 474. My sources indicated that it was the largest of these galaxies, but NGC 470 was clearly the largest in my telescope and in a photo that I had looked at earlier. Could there be an error in the 7.9” size I read from the NGC 2000 Catalogue, an error which was perpetuated by the other sources? A table of diameters (in arc minutes) from different sources is listed below:
Source:
NGC 2000.0: NGC 470: 3.0 NGC 474: 7.9
Burnham’s Celestial Handbook: NGC 470: 1.7 x 1.1 NGC 474: 0.4 x 0.4
Tom Lorenzin’s 1000+: NGC 470: 3.2 NGC 474: 8.0
The Observer’s Guide, Nov/Dec 1991: NGC 470: 3.0 x 2.0 NGC 474: 7.9 x 7.2
Deep Sky Field Guide to Uranometria 2000.0: NGC 470: 3.0 x 1.8 NGC 474: 10.0 x 9.2
Astronomy Magazine, January 1993: NGC 470: 3.0 x 2.0 NGC 474: 7.9 x 7.2
Luginbuhl & Skiff, Observing Handbook & Catalog: NGC 470: 3.0 x 2.0 NGC 474: 7.9 x 7.2
I expressed my concern to Tom English, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at GardnerWebb University, who promptly gathered all available reference material on NGC 474 from his extensive astronomy library at the University. Tom called me on Saturday afternoon, January 7, and invited me to research the data. While I was busy checking each source, Tom was checking the Sky & Telescope Cumulative Index to locate past issues with information on NGC 474. Tom left the lab and returned with a March 1988 issue of Sky & Telescope with a research note on the galaxy and an accompanying photo.
My quest was about to end:
On page 244, there was the photo that would resolve the problem. It showed both NGC 470 and NGC 474 overexposed, with a very faint halo surrounding the latter. A quick measurement of each galaxy in the photo showed that, with the halo considered, NGC 474 is indeed about 2 ½ times the size of NGC 470, consistent with the NGC 2000 listings. A closer look at the list of sources gives an indication that this pair has been a source of confusion to many observers.
It also reveals that cataloged information tends to propagate from one publication to the next. We all use various catalogs for background information (such as size and magnitude) as we set our observing agendas, and too often we do not follow up on this information by making actual measurements ourselves.
In the Nov/Dec issue of The Observer’s Guide, I saw my frustration mirrored in the statement that NGC 474 “is much smaller than its catalog size. Apparently, its outer halo is so faint that it is not visible.”
Image from: wikisky.org (Note the expanded very faint halo of NGC 474, which cannot be seen visually)
The following image with identifications by James Dire, from Earl, North Carolina, using an Orion 150mm Maksutov-Newtonian f/5.3 and a Parallax mount. December 2009
My pencil sketch as following using a 10-inch f/4.5 EQ Newtonian with charcoal on black card stock at the telescope eyepiece.
Roger Ivester 1994
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Posted December 9, 2025 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
After removing the mirror, take a sheet of notebook paper, lay on the mirror and trace around the outer perimeter. The following is a 4.5-inch mirror which I center-marked earlier this year.
Fold the circle template in half, then quarter and then make a tiny hole in the center with any small sharp object. Now take a black Sharpie and “lightly dot” the center of the mirror, via the tiny hole. Now you are ready to replace the mirror and begin collimation. I’m not going to discuss collimation in this post, but have provided the following link from “High Point Scientific”…which is excellent.
A collimation tool will be needed: I use a homemade machined collimating tool (see below) which works great. However, consider a Cheshire collimating eyepiece which is not very expensive at all. I have a Cheshire eyepiece, but most often find myself using only my homemade tool. A laser collimator is not necessary.
A couple photos of my Cheshire eyepiece as following which I also use on occasion:
While the mirror is out, it’s the perfect time to check if cleaning is needed.
The following procedure has allowed me to clean telescope mirrors with excellent results. It should, however, be noted that your results may vary. And mirrors coatings are very delicate, so be careful and use good common sense and care.
Posted November 29, 2025 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
It has become almost impossible for me to now use a standard straight-through finder scope, due to the pain in my neck. Getting under a standard finder and in all types of contorted positions is just now too uncomfortable. So, a 90º RACI (right angle correct image) finder is now essential.
After too many years to many years to count, I’ve always used a straight-through finder, but in recent years, my neck has become the limiting factor, due in-part to growing older.
I have one 90º Antares 7.5 x 50 correct image finder (as pictured below) used with my 10-inch Newtonian, but on other telescopes I still use a standard straight-through finder.
It should be noted that a good quality straight-through finder will present brighter stars, due to the unobstructed light path. However, for me, with neck issues, the RACI finder allows me a view without pain.
I use a “Rigel QuikFinder” in conjunction with my magnified finders:
The Rigel makes for an excellent pointer for the telescope, as it’s much better and easier than attempting to sight along the optical tube. I have two Quikfinders and a QF base on my all my telescopes.
The Rigel finders are fairly small and lightweight…better suited for smaller telescopes than the much larger and heavier Telrad. I also like the “higher profile” of the Rigel for greater ease to sight.
I use a magnified finder in conjunction with my Rigel QuikFinder.
For extremely faint deep-sky objects, of whichever telescope I’m using; a magnified finder is essential.
I first draw a circle on my atlas before going out with the same degree field as my finder. I then attempt to point the magnified finder to match that of my star atlas, with the deep-sky object in the center of the circle.
Consider the following atlas page and circle, despite being so close to bright stars: Yed Prior and Yed Posterior the galaxy was invisible. I used the faint single star just to the north of the galaxy and it could not be seen. I spent hours on this galaxy over many observing sessions and seasons, attempting to see the galaxy. However, during moments of perfect seeing “I saw the galaxy” with averted vision, but not constant and only intermittently.
NGC 6118 is considered by most all amateur astronomers to be the most difficult object in the Herschel-400 list.
My suburban backyard is now averaging a naked-eye limiting magnitude of ~4.8 on my best nights, which indicates my sky is pretty bright; making very faint deep-sky objects very difficult.
December 14, 2025
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Posted November 19, 2025 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
When riding a bicycle it’s much easier to see things that are unseen when driving a car or truck. The following are three very old bridges in Cleveland County that “for sure” have a story, however, few living today would likely know that story. Two are in Lattimore, and one just north of Shelby on North Lafayette Street.
The following bridge is just north of Shelby on North Lafayette Street, and only feet from the current highway. Three photos of this bridge as following.
Two other views of the N Lafayette bridge:
North Lafayette bridge:
Two bridges as following…less than a mile from Lattimore. The first bridge pictured below:
The second Lattimore bridge.
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Posted November 12, 2025 by rogerivester Categories:Roger's Articles
Latitude: +35º 15′ Time: 9:00 PM
Time: 9:12 PM
Time: 9:13 PM
Time: 9:14 PM
I was surprised to get a phone call at about at 9:45 last night (November 13th) from a long-time friend and amateur, Don Books. He told me that he was seeing some color from his home in South Carolina. I jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran outside, but visually couldn’t see anything from my suburban backyard. However, with a 3-second exposure, again from my iPhone 14, and some color began to appear. It was nothing like the previous but an aurora display none the less. I’m glad Don called, and I share three of those photos as following:
Time 9:56 PM:
Time: 9:57 PM
Time: 10:00 PM and the aurora was already beginning to fade:
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