The following is a rough field sketch using chalk on “gray” cardstock, rather than “black” to better illustrate light pollution. Canopus is just visible in a distant tree line.

Canopus is located in the constellation Carina, and is the second brightest star in the sky. It has an absolute magnitude of -5.71 and with the following coordinates:

Right ascension of 06h 23min with a declination of -52º 41

In the early 90’s, astronomer, Tom English, promoted an event called “The Great Canopus Chase” in our local astronomy club. It was unknown at that time if Canopus could be seen from the area, and amateurs went far and wide looking for the perfect southern view.

Many observers saw the star, but most from different locations, within the local area. It was a fun event. When I first saw it…I was actually amazed, but have seen it many times since. Roger Ivester

From my (+35º 18′ ) in North Carolina, my theoretical south latitude 90º (-) 35º = ~ -55º.

Of course the terrain and light pollution can most often be the limiting factor for many in their limiting theoretical southern latitude.

I can see the star Canopus, at a south declination of (-52º 42′) but in a distant tree-line. However, it shines brightly! 

The following is my rough chalk sketch, on charcoal “colored” card stock. I made this “rough sketch” as viewed from the north end of Stadium Drive, at the stop sign (junction to the Boiling Springs/Cliffside highway)

Notes and image as following by Mario Motta:

Canopus near its peak which is 11 degrees, here at about 10º above the horizon in Naples, Florida. The neighbor had all their lights on for some reason.

I received this note from Richard Shuford, this morning: March 2nd 2023

“Back in 1976, when I was an undergraduate physics major at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC, catching a glimpse of Canopus was celebrated by some of my friends who observed it from a high hilltop in Burke County.” Richard Shuford

(Note: Hickory is about one hour north from my location of seeing Canopus) I was very surprised when reading these notes from Richard Shuford, as I thought our group, in the early 90’s was the first time anyone in this area (+ 35º) NC was able to see Canopus….Roger Ivester

Chuck Vaughn: Observer from California

Now what is the likelihood of me finding and seeing this in a 30 year old magazine? Especially since I just completed a Canopus post on my site? Sharing the story By Roger Ivester

I was looking through a December 1992 Sky & Telescope, and the word “Canopus” seemingly jumped out of page-712 and hit me…right in the eye! His latitude was +37º 49′ which puts his theoretical limiting declination of almost exactly that of Canopus! And he claims to have seen it without optical aid!

The following is a brief of that article:

“Canopus, too! Chuck Vaughn of Fremont, California…..claims to have caught sight of the star without optical in November, 1991, and three years earlier in December. Has anyone else seen it from such a northerly location?”

Note for reference: Richmond, Virginia has a latitude of +37º 53′ just about the same as Fremont, California.

When I purchased my first f/4.5 Newtonian in February 1992, I learned about the need or reason for offsetting the diagonal. This was something totally new to me, as all my previous reflectors had focal ratios of f/8 or slower.

From my instruction book for the 10-inch Meade f/4.5 Newtonian which was beneficial for me at that time. I’m including a couple pages as following:

Meade Instruments Corp.

Newtonian Notes: Possibly or “arguably” one of the best books covering everything and anything someone would want to know about how to collimate a Newtonian reflector.

A page from “Newtonian Notes” as following, concerning the purpose and need for offsetting a diagonal.”

Mario Motta image via 32-inch telescope: Extraordinary Image for sure!

Mircea Pleancu: Observer from Romania

I observed galaxy NGC 2841 with a 250 mm Dobsonian reflector, and was easy to locate using Sky Safari.

This galaxy was easily seen at 48x, appearing elongated, with the axis being oriented NNW-SSE. When increasing the magnification to 171x, and with averted vision, the galaxy appeared grainy, or mottled, with a bright core and a faint surrounding oval halo.

An interesting feature noticed by myself and my friend Armand, who assisted me in locating the galaxy, and we could see some faint structure.

The galaxy NGC 2841 was well visible in an Omegon 20x80mm tripod mounted binocular. Just the elongated core was discerned but the mag 13 was not visible.

As following:

Rough pencil sketch(s) of NGC 2841 using a 10-inch f/4.5 reflector, from 30 years ago! Pencil sketching technology has changed little in the past 200 years.

My personal reason for wanting to keep the “ancient art of pencil sketching alive” for future generations:

There are fewer and fewer amateurs (each and every year) that visually observe deep-sky objects, and fewer that sketch the objects they observe.

Now you might wonder how I know this, and can make such a “seemingly” definitive statement. A simple IE tool used in industry to quickly access what’s causing most of the problems (or it could be anything) is called random sampling.

So, just go to any astronomy club site, and see what is the most popular subject, or facet of amateur astronomy is being discussed. Maybe….just open any astronomy related magazine, and see what the “primary” topic is.

My preference…or my personal interest in amateur astronomy:

I much prefer amateur astronomy from days past, and will continue this way all the rest of my “observing” days. And what is that? That would be pencil sketching with supporting notes.

My most fun days were using a 4.25-inch f/10 Edmund Reflector, in a light polluted back yard, during the 70’s….hoping to one day see all of the Messier Objects.

Can’t wait for a clear night, without a moon:

I’m most anxious to see this galaxy again (this month) for a new, and more precise pencil sketch. I would think it would appear more “lens-like” but all of my sketches show something else.

A supernova reported in the galaxy NGC 2841:

My first magnitude estimate based on and using “Thompson and Bryan” search charts. At 13.25, this was the brightest of my estimates and occurred on the night of May 10th 1999.

Supernova on the night of May 15th 1999, estimated SN magnitude of 13.4 and will be getting dimmer in the nights to come.

Supernova magnitudes, as following and with my last estimate at 14.25 which was surprising I could see from my back yard, even despite a moon!

May 10th 1999: 13.25

May 15th 1999: 13.4

May 19th 1999: 13.9 (Required 200x to see, and with first quarter moon!)

May 20th 1999: 14.2 (16mm UO Konig + 2.8x UO Klee Barlow) = 200x “Difficult!”

May 20th was my last night to see the supernova….disappointed to watch it fade away. Never to be seen by the human eye…ever again.