Mini Obs Report by Newbie

[leechriz]

Last Saturday, the skies over Singapore finally cleared. I was out observing in a dark lonely corner of Singapore and thought of sharing with you three celestial wonders in the northern constellations that I've had the pleasure of observing that night.

Almach is a gem of a double-star located at the foot of Andromeda. The larger of the pair, a bright orange-tinted star, is a couple of magnitudes brighter than its smaller bluish companion. The contrast in size, brightness and color makes the binary system as spectacular as the more prominent Albireo in Cygnus. I could split the double with a low 50x magnification but the view was truly stunning at 100x. Andromeda hangs low above the northern horizon between late evening and early morning in September.

Brocchi’s cluster is a chance alignment of an unrelated group of stars that looks very much like an appendage for hanging your shirt. Hence, it is more commonly known as the Coathanger. You just have to see it to believe it. It’s as though someone left it hanging there in the night sky and forgot to take it down. Because of its large apparent dimension of about 90' x 60’, it is a real treat with a pair of binoculars or a low-powered telescope. You can find it right smacked in the middle of two constellations Vulpecula and Sagitta.


M15 globular cluster is another gem of the night sky that I really enjoyed viewing. Admittedly, there are many globular clusters at this time of the year but what makes M15 truly special is it is located in a sparsely populated region of the night sky. The contrast gives me a 3D effect of an explosion of stars. Reminds me the fate of DeathStar in Star Wars Episode IV. You can find it near the snout of the winged-horse Pegasus.



Nexstar 8SE
Pentax 30XW, 21XL, 10.5XL
Celestron 8x42 Bino

[Gary]

Thanks for the report! Will look out for these 3 objects. Where is this dark corner in Singapore? Still have vivid memories of Ring Nebula through your scope at Punggai.

[leechriz]

Hi Gary, it was a memorable experience at Punggai and it remains the single best observation for me (thus far). Well, the dark corner in Singapore is not comparable with the dark skies there, but it's free from any intrusion of street lights, has a relatively open area, very quiet and peaceful, and what's more, I hardly felt any mosquitoes! For me, it's the ideal place for night sky observation in light polluted Singapore, but it's a place many may fear to tread; located at the end of CCK Christian lawn cemetery.

[Airconvent]

Thanks for sharing Chris. I used to post alot of such reports way back but have slow down alot. Not as young as weixing.
In that same field of view you could have tried the Dumbell M27 and Ring nebula M57 too. And not forgetting beautiful Alberio 2-colour double.

[fizzy123]

hi chris,

I don't think it is a good idea to go to that kind of place alone. I'm not coming from the supersitious point of view, but more of safety and security considerations. Going there alone, you might be robbed and that there will be no nearby crowds for you to seek help

[leechriz]

Hey Fizzy, thanks for your words of advice. I've been to the place on a couple of occasions with friends and family as well and thank God, I've not experienced anything unpleasant. Perhaps next time, we can organize a group session.

Airconvent, thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep them in my itinerary for my next trip.

[Bergkamp_]

Hi~! I stay in cck too.. which blk u from? Me 281.. ave 3..

[leechriz]

Hi Bergkamp, its a really small world. I'm at 413 and yours is just across the road from mine. We should go obs together one day.

[Bergkamp_]

sure sure~! nice to know someone with common interest living so near~!

[Gary]

CCK Cemetery Interest Group! Haha.