FEBRUARY 2015 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – NGC-2158  

M35 and NGC 2158 have always been favorites of mine.  Years ago when using a 4.5-inch reflector, NGC 2158 could be difficult, especially from my light polluted backyard at that time.  I often used this fainter companion cluster to determine transparency. 

M35:  102 mm refractor is extremely bright with the most noticeable feature being a curving star chain crossing through the center of the cluster.  The cluster contains mostly bright bluish-white stars.  NGC 2158 appears as a faint, mostly round patch of light without resolution, however, one brighter star (requiring averted vision) can be seen on the western edge.  

NGC 2158:  10-inch reflector at 256x will resolve about 40 or so faint stars.  Excellent seeing and high magnification is required to resolve this beautiful, faint and small open cluster.

The following is a pencil sketch using a No. 2 pencil, blank 5 x 8 note card with a 10-inch reflector at 44x.  Color inverted via computer and standard color sketch…

The following image of open cluster NGC 2158 is by Dr. James Dire of Hawaii, using an 8-inch RC f/8 telescope with 6 x 10 minute exposures. 

JANUARY 2015 OBSERVERS CHALLENGE – NGC-1569

Galaxy, NGC 1569 sketch using a No. 2 pencil, and a blank 5 x 8 note card.  

Inverted pencil sketch via computer by Fred Rayworth of Nevada.   My scanner is not working due to an update in operating systems with my MacBook Pro.  A new flat bed scanner is on the agenda for purchase this year.

The following image, compliments of Dr. James Dire of Hawaii, using an 8-inch RC f/8 telescope, with an exposure of 90 minutes.