Deep Sky Observations with Vespera Summer/Autumn 2022 ...

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

Since the end of July 2022, I own an Vaonis Vespera telescope for observing and taking photos of deep sky objects. On this page, I collect information about observations from July to November 2022. The photos that were taken during this phase are be presented elsewhere (on the detail pages for the DSO).

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

Between July and November 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 July to November 2022. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful initialization of the Vespera. In July, this was typically after 11 p.m. (summer time).

Observation Location

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

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

Some observation sessions took place in Erkerode near Braunschweig (Germany):

52° 12' 27.2" N 10° 42' 52.9" E
52.207556° N, 10.714696° E

One observation session took place in Sumène (close to Saint Julien-Chapteuil), Haute Loire (France):

Coordinates: 45° 2′ N, 4° 4′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 45.04° N, 4.06° E

Equipment Used

When observing with the Vespera, I only needed the Vespera 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 and much better in Sumène/France.

Observation Overview

Observation Dates

Date 2022	Observed Objects	Observed Objects, Details	Remarks	Further Remarks
Jul 29 MH	GC: M 13, M 92 PN: M 27 GN: M 16 G: M 51, M 82, M 101	Order: M 51, M 13, M 82, M 13, M 27, M 51, M 16, M 101, M 92	Vespera; iPad and iPhone 7	SQM 20 around midnight No usable photos of M 51 and M 13; afterwards, all objects were "recognizable".
Jul 30 MH	GC: M 10, M 12, M 13, M 14 PN: M 57 G: M 81	Order: M 81, M 13, *M 81, M 109, M 10, M 12, M 14, M 57* M 81 partly obscured, M 109 also not usable...	Vespera; iPad and iPhone 7	SQM not measured
Jul 31 MH	OC: M 11 GC: M 3, M 5, M 13, M 56, M 71 PN: M 27 GN: M 16, M 17, NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 7000 G: M 81, M 82	Order: M 13, M 81, M 81/82, M 27, NGC 7000, NGC 6992, M 17, M 8 (obscured), M 5, M 11 (focus improved during observation), M 51 (aborted), NGC 6960, M 16, M 3, M 71, M 56, IC 1396 (nothing to see...)	Vespera; iPad and iPhone 7	SQM 20 around midnight During the observation of M 81, I changed the section so that M 82 was not only at the edge, but better visible on the image (I had to learn how to do this first...). While observing M 11, I let the Vespera adjust the autofocus again. M 8 was unfortunately obscured because it was too low on the horizon.
Aug 4 Erk	GC: M 13 PN: M 27 G: M 51	Order: M 51, M 13, M 51, M 27	Vespera; iPad	SQM not measured Poor results, sky too bright; only M 51 stacked (with drop-outs)
Aug 6 Erk	OC: M 29, M 39, NGC 6633 GC: M 3, M 5, M 13 PN: M 27 GN: M 16, NGC 7000 G: M 51	Order: M 13, M 3, M 5, NGC 6633, M 27 (SQM 20, at 11:15 p.m.), M 29, M 39, M 16 (SQM 20,4 at 11:40 p.m.), M 51, NGC 7000	Vespera; iPad	SQM 18 at about 10:30 p.m., later 20-20.4 M 29, M 39, NGC 7000 not stacked; when observing other DSO, many frames were not added to the stack (clouds?).
Aug 7 Erk	SP: CR 399 GN: M 16 G: M 51, M 101	Order: CR 399, M 16 (3 failed attempts, was obscured), M 51 (> 20 min), M 101 (> 30 min)	Vespera; iPad	SQM 18 at about 10:30 p.m., later up to 20.4 Better conditions, no drop-outs; M 16 not stacked (obscured)
Aug 12 Erk	OC: M 457, NGC 884/869, NGC 7789 GC: M 13 GN: NGC 6960, NGC 6992 PN: M 27 G: M 31, M 32, M 82, M 81/82	Order: M 13, M 82, M 81/82, M 31, M 32, NGC 884/869, NGC 7789, NGC 6960, M 27, NGC 6992, NGC 457	Vespera; iPad	SQM later up to 19.4 (full moon) In part, autofocus renewed (NGC 884/869, NGC 457); section changed for M 82 in order to include M 81 and M 82.
Aug 15 MH	GC: M 15 GN: M 16, NGC 6888 PN: M 27	Order: NGC 4565 (only FITS), M 64 (one first JPG, then only FITS), M 17 (obscured), M 16 (autofocus renewed, 15 min), NGC 6888 (autofocus renewed, 5 min), M 15 (autofocus renewed, 15 min), M 27 (after about 5 min clouds appearing)	Vespera; iPad	SQM later up to 20 and then lower again (nearly full moon) In part, autofocus renewed (M 16, NGC 6888, M 15); clouds put an end to the session...
Aug 16 MH	GN: M 17, NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 7023, NGC 7000 G: M 51	Order : M 51, M 17, NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 7023, NGC 7000	Vespera; iPad	SQM later up to 20 and then lower again In part, autofocus renewed (M 17, NGC 7023, NGC 7000)
Aug 20 MH	GC: M 13 GN: M 16 PN: M 27 G: NGC 4889	Order: NGC 4889, M 16, M 13, M 27 (some other targets obscured and cancelled)	Vespera; iPad	SQM later up to 20 and then lower again In part, autofocus renewed, particularly M 16 (completely fuzzy)
Aug 25 MH	OC: M 52, NGC 6939 GC: M 13 GN: IC 5146, NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 7635 PN: M 27 G: NGC 6946, NGC7331, Stephan's Quintet (NGC 7317)	Order: M 13, IC 5146 (SQM 19.7), NGC 7635 (+ M 52) in second attempt because of section change (SQM 20), NGC 6946 (+ NGC 6939), NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 7331 + Stephan's Quintet (NGC 7317), M 27	Vespera; iPad	SQM 17.5...18, later up to 20 Observation inspired by Oliver's observation
Aug 28 Sum	GC: M 2, M 13 GN: NGC 6960 PN: M 27, M 97 G: M 81, M 108, NGC 3077	Order: M 13, M 22 (partly obscured, observation cancelled), M 2, M 81 (with section change so that M 82 is included - but M 82 was missed and NGC 3077 was included), M 108 (with frame correction, so that M 97 is included), NGC 6960, M 27 (fuzzy at the beginning)	Vespera; iPad	SQM greater 19 at first, later 20, 20.5…21 (and better) even later Milky Way visible, fairly dark sky before midnight (2 days after new moon)
Sep 30 Erk	GC: M 2, NGC 6229, NGC 6934 OC: M 29, M 39 G: NGC 6946 GN: IC 5070 PN: M 27	Order: M 29, M 39, M 2 (focus updated), NGC 6934, IC 5070 (three attempts), NGC 6229 (focus updated), NGC 6946 (focus updated), M 27	Vespera; iPad	Observed from 9:30 10 11:30 p.m.; SQM bis 20,4 Great problems when initialising/focusing; possibly caused by a tripod leg that was not fixed correctly...
Oct 5 Erk	GC: NGC 6712 OC: M 11, M 26 G: M 31, M 110 GN: IC 5146, NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 7380	Order: M 11, M 26, NGC 6712, IC 5146 (Coocon Nebula; AF renewed), NGC 7380 (Wizard Nebula, see below), M 110, M 31, NGC 6992, NGC 6960 NGC 7380: AF renewed> Focus correction took a long time... > new star pattern analysis > star zone search > star pattern analysis > etc. etc. 2. Attempt: completely fuzzy > AF renewed> then it worked after a long "preparation"...	Vespera; iPad	Observed from about 8 up to 9:30 p.m.; SQM 19, läter 19.7 (8 p.m., did not get darker later, because of the moon), about 3/4 moon No initialisation problems at the beginning (tripod legs fixed correctly, Rollei adapter), but later after a loss of WiFi connection (required a new initialisation!), it took long, until everything was working again (about 1/2 h).
Oct 17 MH	G: M 31/32 GN: NGC 6888	Order: NGC 6888 (Crescent Nebula), M 31/32 Both exposed for about 30 minutes (a little more...); because of the clouds it remained unclear to me, whether the long exposure times were of any use at all (but stacking was still done, albeit with pauses)	Vespera; iPad	Observed from about 6 to 7:15 p.m.; SQM not measured, about waning half moon (not visible); many clouds which later lead to cacellation of the session. No initialisation problems at the beginning (tripod legs fixed correctly and extended, Rollei adapter), but later a loss of WiFi connection inside for two times; WiFi could be re-established quickly)
Oct 22 MH	G: M 31/32 GN: IC 5070, IC 5146 PN: M 27	Order: M 27, IC 5070, IC 5146, M 31 (Vespera und eVscope 2) In part, I exposed up to 30 minutes, in part a little more than 20 minutes; I also took photos in between (manually and with the Vespera also automatically); this observation was meant as a comparison of eVscope 2 and Vespera at long exposure times.	Vespera; iPad (eVscope 2, iPhone 7)	Observed from after 7:00 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m.; SQM 17...18 at the very beginning, 19 at about 7:30, 19.4 at 7:35, 19.6 at 8:15, later only 19.4; dew!!! Soon clouds were appearing... eVscope 2: No dark frame, no checking of collimation and focus
Oct 27 MH	GN: IC 5070, NGC 7000 G: M 31/M 32/M 110	Order of mosaics: *NGC 6992/6960* (aborted because of clouds), M 31/32/110 (aborted after 48 min because of obstacles, paused because of clouds), *NGC 6992/6960* (aborted), NGC 7000/IC 5070 (aborted after 43:50 min because of clouds)	Vespera; iPad	Mosaics with Vespera (new app version; Beta version for mosaic): First try with Cirrus Nebula cancelled because of clouds; M 31/32/110 (SQM 19-19.4?) cancelled after 48 min because of obstables. Second try at Cirrus Nebula at 9:28 p.m. (SQM 19.4); cancelled after 17 min, because there was nothing to see. At about 10:00 p.n. attempt at NGC 7000/IC 5070 (SQM 19.7; relatively clear); cancelled at 43:50 min because of clouds (about 11:10 p.m.)
Oct 30 MH	GN: NGC 6960/6992 G: M 33	Order of mosaics: NGC 6992/6960 (1 h), NGC 6992/6960 (> 30 min,) *NGC 1499* (aborted because of obstacles), M 33 (aborted, M 33 too small) Order "normal": M 33 (AF renewed...)	Vespera; iPad	Mosaics with Vespera (new app version; Beta version for mosaic: NGC 6992/6960 (1 h); thereafter, a second attempt (> 30 m). The section seemed too small... Then attemot at the Calfornia Nebula NGC 1499, which failed because of obstacles; then M 33, mosaic cancelled; then observed M 33 "normally" (10 p.m.), once more cancelled and AF renewed...
Nov 1 MH	OC: NGC 654, 659, 663, M 103 GN: IC 1805, M 16, NGC 281 PN: NGC 7293 Moon (half)	Order: Moon, M 16, NGC 7293 (Helix Nebula, nothing), IC 1396 (Elephant's Trunk), Moon (nothing), NGC 7293 (Helix Nebula, nothing), NGC 281 (Pacman Nebula), NGC 7293 (Helix Nebula) Order of mosaics (taken after normal photos): M 103/NGC 663/659/654 (1 h), IC 1805 (Heart Nebula, 1 h)	Vespera; iPad	Half moon; begin of observations at about 6 p.m., SQM 19; during M 16 SQM 19-19.2; during IC 1396 (Elephant's Trunk) SQM 19,5-20t Mosaics at the end: M 103/NGC 663/659/654 and more (1 h); IC 1805 (Heart Nebula; 1 h)
Nov 10 MH	OC: M 11 GC: M 14 GN: NGC 7000 DN: B 142/3	Order: B 142/3 (Triple Cave Nebula > dark nebula), M 14 (obscured), Vespera newly initialized, M 14, M 11 (two mosaic attempts; the first cancelled, the second with NGC 6712), NGC 7000 (mosaic, 2h)	Vespera; iPad	Shortly after full moon (not yet visible); start at 5:45 p.m., SQM 17; end at about 9:30 p.m.

Bold: First observation during this observation period; G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula, SP = 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
B 142/43	Triple Cave Nebula, E Nebula	Cepheus	DN	Difficult to recognize
CR 399	Coat Hanger	Vulpecula	OC	In binoculars better to see than in a telescope
IC 1396	Elephant Trunk	Cepheus	GE	Becomes visible after sufficient exposure time...
IC 1805	Heart Nebula	Cassiopeia	GN/OS	The galactic nebulae IC 1805, IC 1848, and IC 1795 (also named NGC 896) form a larger nebulosity region in the constellation Cassiopeia, not far away from the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 869/884.
IC 5070	Pelican Nebula	Cygnus	GNE	Large reddish nebula
IC 5146	Cocoon Nebula	Cygnus	GNE	Small reddish nebula with embedded open star cluster Cr 470
M 2		Aquarius	GC	Nice globular cluster, one of the larger ones
M 3		Canes Venatici	GC	Similar to M 5 and M 92; resolved in Vespera
M 5		Serpens Caput	GC	Similar to M 3 and M 92; resolved in Vespera
M 10		Ophiuchus	GC	Resolved in Vespera
M 11	Wild Duck Cluster; mosaic with NGC 6712	Scutum	OC	Many stars in Vespera
M 12		Ophiuchus	GC	Resolved in Vespera
M 13	Hercules Cluster	Hercules	GC	Largest observed GC; many stars in Vespera
M 14		Ophiuchus	GC	Resolved in Vespera
M 15		Pegasus	GC	Resolved in Vespera
M 16	Eagle Nebula	Serpens	OS+GN	Often too low at the horizon; nice in Vespera
M 17	Omega N., Swan Nebula	Sagittarius	GE	Nice in Vespera
M 26		Scutum	OC	One of the more inconspicuous star clusters
M 27	Dumbbell Nebula	Vulpecula	PN	Rather small in Vespera
M 29		Cygnus	OC	Pattern created from a few stars
M 31	Andromeda Galaxy	Andromeda	G	Together with M 32; observed for 30 min at the end of October
M 32	Together with M 31 in FOV	Andromeda	G	Together with M 31; observed for 30 min at the end of October
M 33	Triangulum Galaxy	Triangulum	G	Quite impressive
M 39		Cygnus	OC	Few stars
M 51	Whirlpool Galaxy, together with NGC 5195	Canes Venatici	G	Nice spiral galays together with connected satellite galaxy NGC 5195
M 52		Cassiopeia	OS	Medium-sized open star cluster; can be seeon together with NGC 7635 (Vespera)
M 56		Lyra	GC	Smaller than M 3, M 5, and M 13
M 57	Ring Nebula	Lyra	PN	Relatively small...
M 71		Sagitta	GC	Very loose GC
M 81	Bode Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	Nice spiral galaxy; spirale not clearly recognizable in Vespera; can be observed together with M 82
M 82	Cigar Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	Long irregular galaxy (cigar), disturbed during an encounter with M 81; can be observed together with M 81
M 92		Hercules	GC	Smaller than M 13, but with a brighter center
M 97	Owl Nebula	Ursa Major	PN	Small green dot with two dark spots; can be observed together with M 108 with Vespera
M 101	Pinwheel Galaxie	Coma Berenices	G	Faint, but quite impressive in Vespera
M 103	With NGC 654, NGC 659, and NGC 663	Cassiopeia?	OC	Open star cluster with many fine stars; the brighter stars form a triangle
M 108		Ursa Major	G	Barred spiral galaxy, nearly seen edge-on; can be observed together with M 97 with Vespera
M 110		Andromeda	G	Satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy M 31
NGC 281	Pacman Nebula		GN	Larger reddish nebula
NGC 457	Owl Cluster, E.T. Cluster	Cassiopeia	OC	The eyes stand out
NGC 654	With NGC 659, NGC 663, and M 103	Cassiopeia	OC
NGC 659	With NGC 654, NGC 663, and M 103	Cassiopeia	OC
NGC 663	With NGC 654, NGC 659, and M 103	Cassiopeia	OC
NGC 884/869	Perseus Double Cluster	Perseus	OC	Nice, both clusters visible in Vespera
NGC 3077		Ursa Major	G	Small companion of M 81
NGC 4889		Coma Berenices	G	Tiny...
NGC 6229		Hercules	GC	Small
NGC 6633		Ophiuchus	OC	Only stars...
NGC 6712		Scutum	GC	Not very large...
NGC 6888	Crescent Nebula	Cygnus	GE	Nice but faint; observed for 30min at the end of October
NGC 6934		Delphinus	GC	According to Stoyan hard to resolve; it is, however, possible with the Vespera.
NGC 6939		Cepheus	OC	Together in FOV with NGC 6946 with Vespera
NGC 6946	Fireworks Galaxy	Cepheus	G	Face-on galaxy; together in FOV with NGC 6939 with Vespera
NGC 6960	Western Cirrus Nebula	Cygnus	GN	Only partly visible
NGC 6992	Eastern Cirrus Nebula	Cygnus	GN	Only partly visible
NGC 7000	North America Nebula	Cygnus	GN	Only partly visible
NGC 7023	Iris Nebula	Cepheus	GN	Nice
NGC 7293	Helix Nebula	Aquarius	PN	Large, faint
NGC 7317	Stephan's Quintet	Pegasus	GC	Close to galaxy NGC 7331 (together in FOV with Vespera)
NGC 7331		Pegasus	G	Close to Stephan's Quintet (together in FOV with Vespera)
NGC 7380	Wizard Nebula/Cluster	Cepheus	GN/OC	A star formation region that contains the young open star cluster NGC 7380.
NGC 7635	Bubble Nebula	Cassiopeia	GN	Is located close to the well-known open star cluster M 52; can be seeon together (Vespera)
NGC 7789	Caroline's Rose Cluster, White Rose Cluster	Cassiopeia	OC	Nice

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 (2014). Deep Sky Reiseatlas, Oculum Verlag (ISBN: 978-3-938469-71-2)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2014
Ronald Stoyan (2021). Deep Sky Reiseführer (6th edition), Oculum Verlag (ISBN: 978-3-938649-72-9)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=603
Erich Karkoschka (2022). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag (EAN: 9783440173602)
www.kosmos.de/buecher/ratgeber-naturfuehrer/astronomie/sternfuehrer-sternkarten/14810/atlas-fuer-himmelsbeobachter