AUGUST 2010 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – NGC-188

NGC 188 has always been a difficult object from my moderately light polluted backyard using a 10-inch reflector.  Some observers report seeing this cluster with a 60mm refractor, and one counted at least 30 stars with a 4-inch.  According to many sources this is one of the oldest galactic clusters.  

This cluster is very close to polaris and can be seen by northern hemisphere observers all year round, however, it seems to be seldom observed by many amateurs.  RI 

JULY 2009 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-27

How many stars can you count within the nebula? 

AUGUST 2009 MONTHLY OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-002

Can you see the dark lane that crosses the northeast corner of this cluster?  

JUNE 2009 MONTHLY OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-13

The Challenge Reports can also be seen at  http://www.lvastronomy.com  and at  http://www.fredrayworth.com 

MAY 2011 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-97

SPRING 2010 SUPPLEMENTAL OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-51

MAY 2009 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – LEO TRIO

Note: To see all of the Challenge Reports that have been posted to-date on this site:  Please go to “categories” and click on.  It is going to take a while to get them all posted, so please be patient.  I am hopeful that this site will be beneficial for anyone planning an observing session or just interested in seeing how other amateurs perceive the selected objects.  RI 

MARCH 2010 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – IC-405 IC-410 NGC 1893a

The Observer’s Challenge for March 2010 contains two of the most difficult objects to-date for the visual observer.  IC 405 is a diffuse nebula, also called the “Flaming Star Nebula.”  It is illuminated by the variable star, AE Auriga.  I have attempted IC 405 with my 10-inch on many occasions to no avail.  

Nebula IC 410 is illuminated by open cluster NGC 1893, and is presented as a definite glow surrounding the cluster when using the 10-inch.  

Open Cluster NGC 1893 lies in a very rich star field, but was easy to see in my 4-inch refractor at a magnification of 83x.  With careful observing, at least twenty stars could be counted, but a number of the fainter members were just beyond the limit of the small refractor, creating a faint unresolved glow.    RI

SEPTEMBER 2009 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE NGC-7293

If you would like to see all of the Observers Challenge reports:  Please go to “Categories” and click on “Observers Challenge.”  

It’s going to take a while to convert all of the Challenge reports to a pdf file.  Fred Rayworth of Las Vegas is working very hard and will have them as soon as possible.  We still have about three years of reports to go.  

Thank you for taking the time to look at my site….Roger

APRIL 2012 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – NGC-3115

SPRING 2010 SUPPLEMENTAL OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-51

DECEMBER 2011 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – M-33