Deep Sky Observations with eVscope 2 January/February 2023

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 January/February 2023 (third sample). In this phase, I used app versions 2.2.0 and 2.3.1. The photos that were taken during this phase are be presented elsewhere (e.g., on the detail pages for the DSO).

Notes:

See page Overview of the eVscope Pages for just that!

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

In January/February 2023, 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)

Note: I observed some of the marked objects with the Vespera.

Observation Time

The observations in this phase took place in January/February 2023. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful star alignment. In January 2023, this was typically after 6 p.m..

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. For astrophotography, 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 2023	Observed Objects	Observed Objects, Details	Remarks	Further Remarks
Jan 18 MH	OC: M 45, NGC 752 G: M 31, M 33, NGC 404 GN: B 33, M 78, IC 405, M 1, M 42/43, NGC 1499, NGC 1977, NGC 2024 Jupiter, Mars	Order: Jupiter and Mars (both poor), M 45, M 33, M 31, NGC 752 , NGC 1499 (California Nebula), Jupiter und Mars (both a little better), IC 405 (Flaming Star Nebula), NGC 404 (outshone by Mirach), M 42/43 (11 min), NGC 2024 (Flame Nebula), NGC 1977 (Running Man Nebula), B 33 (Horse Head Nebula), Mars, M 78, M 1, M 42/43 (nearly 5 min)	eVscope 2 (third sample), iPhone 7, from about 6 p.m. on until about 11 p.m. Observed also with the Vespera (from 8:20 p.m. on).	SQM 19.4-19.6 during the observations; nearly new moon. Tried the planets several times, but got only poor results...
Feb 4 MH	GN: M 1, M 42/43 C: C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Moon	Order: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (probably in clouds, Moon (with clouds), comet (now better to see), Moon (without clouds), M 1, M 42/43	eVscope 2 from about 6:30 to about 7:30 p.m. 1 day before full moon; changing clouds, also on the moon..	Since the telescope tracks the star background, the comet gets longer during the observation time, because it moves differently than the stars.
Feb 7 MH	OC: M 45 GN: M 1, NGC 1499, NGC 2024 C: C/2022 E3 (ZTF)	Order: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (2 x), then NGC 2024, M 1, NGC 1499 (20 min), M 45 (> 20 min because of embedded nebulae)	eVscope 2 from about 7:00 p.m. Observed also with the Vespera.	Since the telescope tracks the star background, the comet gets longer during the observation time, because it moves differently than the stars.
Feb 12 MH	OC: M 45 GN: M 42/43 Jupiter, Venus	Order: Venus, Jupiter, M 42/43, M 45, Jupiter	eVscope 2 from about 6:30 p.m. to about 7:15 p.m. Observed also with the Vespera.	The planets came out rather poor; at least, there was an indication of an "incomplete" Venus... Jupiter with two stripes.

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
B 33	Horse Head Nebula	Orion	GN	Always a challenge ...
IC 405	Flaming Star Nebula	Orion	GN	Faint red nebula; not easy for the eVscope 2
M 1	Crab Nebula	Perseus	OS	Seen well
M 31	Andromeda Galaxy	Gemini	OS	Too large for the eVscope 2, M 32 included in view
M 33	Triangulum Galaxy	Auriga	OS	Fainter than M 31, but can be easily recognized
M 42/43	Orion Nebula	Orion	GN	Larger section and apparently more details than with the eVscope
M 45	Pleiades, Seven Sisters	Taurus	OS	Too large for the FOV of the eVscope 2
M 78		Orion	GN	Easily identifiable using two stars
NGC 404	Mirach's Ghost	Andromeda	G	Galaxy close to Mirach, therefore called Mirach's Ghost
NGC 752		Andromeda	OC	Large open cluster
NGC 1499	California Nebula	Orion	GN	Faint red nebula; not easy for the eVscope 2
NGC 1977	Running Man Nebula	Orion	GN	The Running Man Nebula includes the reflection nebulae NGC 1977, 1973, and 1975 as well as the open star cluster 1981; a dark nebula has the shape of a running man; needs long times in Enhanced Vision mode
NGC 2024	Flame Nebula	Orion	GN	Rather faint reddish nebula next to Alnitak; not easy for the eVscope 2
C/2022 E3 (ZTF)			C	Central part visible, became longer with longer exposure time (the comet moves differently than the stars)
Moon			M	One day before full moon, looked like the full moon
Jupiter			P	Poor at the first observation, a little better the second time (GRD?)
Mars			P	No details, small, orange
Venus			P	Looked more like a triangle than a disk... (crescent of the Venus)

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
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2014
Ronald Stoyan (2014). Deep Sky Reiseführer, Oculum Verlag
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2015
Erich Karkoschka (2016). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag
www.kosmos.de/buecher/ratgeber/astronomie/einsteiger/6598/atlas-fuer-himmelsbeobachter?number=15147