Deep Sky Observations with eVscope 2 April 2022

Conditions | Observation Overview | List of Observed Sky Objects | References

Since the beginning of December 2021, I own an Unistellar eVscope 2 telescope for observing and taking photos of deep sky objects. On this page, I collect information about observations from April 2022 (second sample). In this phase, I used app version 1.5.0. The photos that were taken during this phase are be presented elsewhere (on the detail pages for the DSO).

Notes:

I exchanged this second eVscope 2 for another new one (the third one!) in May/August 2022.
See page Overview of the eVscope Pages for just that!

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

In April 2022, I observed mostly the following sky area (some observed objects are indicated):

Click the map for a larger version - it opens in a new window (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Observation Time

The observations in this phase took place in April 2022. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful star alignment. In April 2022, this was typically after 9 p.m. (summer time).

Observation Location

The observations took place in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (Germany):

Coordinates: 49° 15′ N , 8° 43′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 49,25° N, 8,72° E

Equipment Used

When observing with the eVscope 2, I only needed the eVscope 2 and my iPhones or iPad.

General Conditions

In general, the sky above Mühlhausen/Kraichgau is "light-polluted" (SQM 20.5) and does not invite you to search for deep sky objects. This is certainly one of the reasons why I found some of the deep sky objects that I wanted to observe only sometimes or not at all. For astro photography, however, light pollution is not as disturbing as for visual observations. The sky quality is a litttle better in Erkerode.

Observation Overview

Observation Dates

Date 2022	Observed Objects	Observed Objects, Details	Remarks	Further Remarks
Apr 9 MH	OC: M 34, M 38, M 45 PN: M 97 G: M 51, M 65/66, M 101, M 108	Order: M 1 (n.f.), M 65 (mit M 66), M 45, M 34, NGC 1499 (n.f.), M 38; Capella for checking collimation (left, coll. seemed OK) and focusing (BM); M 51, M 101, M 108, M 97, M 95 (n.f.), M 105 (n.f.) - in between again and again clouds and at the end as well...	eVscope 2 (second sample), iPhone 7, from about 9 p.m. on	At the beginning a few daylight photos; nearly half moon
Apr 10 MH	OC: M 35 GN: M 42, M 78 PN: M 97 G: M 51, M 65/66, M 81, M 82, M 101, M 105, M 108, NGC 3628, NGC 5371 (+ Hickson 68)	Order: Alnilam for checking collimation (left, coll. seemed OK) and focusing (BM); M 42, M 78, M 35, M 65/66, NGC 3628, M 105, M 108 (n.f. on first attempt), M 97, NGC 5371, NGC 5371 + Hickson 68, M 81, M 82, M 101, M 51.	eVscope 2 (second sample), iPhone 7, from about 9 p.m. on	SQM between 17.7 and 18.8 or so... Nearly half moon
Apr 17 MH	GN: M 42, M 78, NGC 2024 G: M 51, M 65, M 66, M 84, M 86, M 95, M 101, M 105, NGC 4438, NGC 4461	Order: Procyon for checking collimation (left, coll. seemed OK) and focusing (BM); M 42, NGC 1977 (found, nothing to see), NGC 2024 (Flame Nebula), M 78, B 33 (found, nothing to see), Parts of Leo Triplet (M 65, M 66, NGC 3628), NGC 3628; GGF: M 84, M 86; Markarians Chain: NGC 4461, NGC 4438 (the Eyes); M 95, M 105, M 51, M 101.	eVscope 2 (second sample), iPhone 7, from about 9 p.m. on	SQM between 18 and 19.5; later 19.2 because of moon; then getting lower because of the coming moon (18.85)...

Bold: First observation during this observation period; G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula, P = star pattern, DN = dark nebula, C = comet, SN = supernova

List of Observed Sky Objects

Object details can be obtained via the links to the relevant deep sky objects.

DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Remarks
M 34		Perseus	G	Large and nice open star cluster, reminds me of M 41
M 35		Gemini	OC	Large and nice open star cluster
M 38		Auriga	OC	Nice open star cluster, larger than M 36, not as dense as M 37
M 42	Orionnebel	Orion	GN	Larger section and apparently more details than with the original eVscope
M 45	Plejaden, Siebengestirn	Taurus	OC	Too large for the eVscope 2's field of view
M 51	Whirlpool Galaxy, with NGC 5195	Canes Venatici	G	Nice spiral galaxy with connected satellite galaxy NGC 5195
M 65	with M 66	Leo	G	Thin, elongated spiral galaxy, spiral hard to see; part of the Leo triplet (with M 66 and NGC 3628); with M 66 in the rectangular field of view of the eVscope
M 66	with M 65	Leo	G	Elongated spiral galaxy, spiral visible; part of the Leo triplet (with M 65 and NGC 3628); with M 65 in the rectangular field of view of the eVscope
M 78		Orion	GN	Faint, but identifiable using two stars
M 81	Bode Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	Nice spiral galaxy; the spiral is not very conspicuous in the eVscope
M 82	Cigar Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	Elongated irregular galaxy (cigar), dirsturbed by an encounter with M 81
M 84		Virgo	G	Part of Markarian's Chain; elliptical galaxy that can be seen together with M 86 in the eVscope's field of view (+ NGC 4387 and a bit of NGC 4402); forms together with M 86 and NGC 4387 the "Great Galactic Face" (the latter is best accessed via NGC 4387).
M 86		Virgo	G	Part of Markarian's Chain; elliptical galaxy that can be seen together with M 86 in the eVscope's field of view (+ NGC 4387 and a bit of NGC 4402); forms together with M 84 and NGC 4387 the "Great Galactic Face" (the latter is best accessed via NGC 4387).
M 95		Leo	G	Small barred spiral galaxy, relatively faint, but the bar is visible. Forms a pair with M 96, but usually too far away for the eVscope 2 (40'). However, managed to get both on one photo!
M 96		Leo	G	Spiral galaxy, forms a pair with M 95, but too far away for the eVscope 2 (40'). However, managed to get both on one photo!
M 97	Owl Nebula	Leo	G	Small green dot with two dark spots
M 101	Pinwheel Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	Spiral galaxy, seen face-on, similar to M 99 and M 100, but much larger than both; quite impressive in the eVscope 2
M 105		Leo	G	Bright elliptical galaxy; can be seen together with the galaxies NGC 3384 (elliptical) and the smaller NGC 3389 (spiral) in the same field of view in the eVscope.
M 108		Ursa Major	G	Barred spiral galaxy, nearly seen edge-on
NGC 2024	Flame Nebula	Orion	GN	Rather faint reddish nebula next to Alnitak; not easy for the eVscope
NGC 3628		Leo	G	Spiral galaxy seen edge-on; it forms a conspicuous group with M 65 and M 66, the Leo Triplet.
NGC 4435/38	The Eyes	Virgo	G	NGC 4435 is a lenticular galaxy and interacts with the lenticular galaxy NGC 4438, that is about 100,000 light years more distant. Both galaxies together form "The Eyes".
NGC 4461	with NGC 4458	Virgo	G	The galaxies NGC 4461 (lenticular) und NGC 4458 (elliptical) in constellation Virgo are members of Markarian's chain and interact with one another. If the galaxies are moved towards the top left of the field of view, you can also see the lenticular galaxies NGC 4438 and NGC 4435 (The Eyes) in the same field of view with the eVscope 2.
NGC 5371	+ Hickson 68	Cygnus	GN	Spiral galaxy and galaxy group Hickson 68; small, but found both!

G = galaxy, GaC = galaxy cluster, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GE = galactic emission nebula, GR = galactic reflection nebula, DN = dark nebula, C = comet, PN = planetary nebula, SP = star pattern, HII = HII region (emission nebula in other galaxies)

References

Books

Michael Feiler & Philip Novak (2023). Deep Sky Reiseatlas (5. Auflage), Oculum Verlag (ISBN 978-3-949370-04-5)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=608
Ronald Stoyan (2021). Deep Sky Reiseführer (6. Auflage), Oculum Verlag (ISBN 978-3-938469-72-9)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=603
Erich Karkoschka (2022). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag (EAN: 9783440173602)
www.kosmos.de/de/atlas-fur-himmelsbeobachter_1074889_9783440173602