David's Astronomy Pages
Images - Session 667 (2019-02-23)

Objects Session Notes
Bullet 46P/Wirtanen - Comet
Bullet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) - Comet
   
Bullet HAT-P-36 - Exoplanet Host Star
Bullet HAT-P-18 - Exoplanet Host Star
Bullet Kepler-447 - Exoplanet Host Star
Bullet TrES-2 - Exoplanet Host Star
Bullet TrES-3 - Exoplanet Host Star
Bullet WASP-135 - Exoplanet Host Star
   
Bullet IC 1222 - Spiral Galaxy (ARP 73)
   
Bullet NGC 3684 - Spiral Galaxy
   
Bullet Variable Stars (photometric monitoring)
  - AM CVn, SY Cnc, R CrB, CI Cy, S Cyg, SS Cyg, U Gem, AM Her, SS Her, U Mon, GK Per, FG Sge, RR Tau, SU Tau

- Z And, U Her  attempts failed due to cloud
   
Bullet Nearby Stars (astrometric monitoring)
 - HH And, Barnards Star, DX Cnc, 61 Cyg, EV Lac, CN Leo
    
   
- Full Night Session,  Duration 8.2hr

Session operated in  fully automated mode, attended for first half / unattended for second half.

Sky conditions  good, once inititally cloud had passed which had delayed start of session

- Main aim of the session was general observing with mix of variable stars , nearby stars , comets and deep sky targets.  There was a few remaining Exoplanet host stars baseline observations to make.
   
- 12" LX200 + ST-10XME for imaging
- TS 80mm APO + ZWO ASI178MC for guiding & imaging
- Ambient Temperature:  8°C (max) dropping to 0 C min)
- CCD Temperature:  -20°C & -25C / 83 & 85% av. power)
- Notes from 2019-02-23 >>
    
   

46P/Wirtanen - Comet

46P/Wirtanen (passing through Ursa Major)
Sun Distance 1.42 AU
Earth Distance 0.51 AU (75.8 million km)
  46P/Wirtanen -  Detail
10 minute total exposure
Stacked image aligned on Comet
(stars appear trailed due to motion of comet)
Image   Image 
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
3 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-23 23:53 UT (#667117-19)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
  CCD Image (100% size, linear scale, cropped)
40 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-23 23:59 UT (#667117-56)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
      
46P/Wirtanen - 2 hours later
  46P/Wirtanen - Detail, 2 hours later
10 minute total exposure
Image   Image 
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
3 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 01:53 UT (#667169-71)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
  CCD Image (100% size, linear scale, cropped
39 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 02:00 UT (#667169-208)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
      
    More Images of 46P/Wirtanen    
      
46P/Wirtanen  - Earlier Image (2018-12-16)
(passing through Taurus)
Near to point of closest distance from earth
Sun Distance 1.06 AU
Earth Distance 0.08 AU (11.6 million km)
  46P/Wirtanen  - Earlier Detail (2018-12-16)
Image   Image
CCD Image (50% size, linear scale)
15s exposure (single frame), 3x3 binning, C Filter 
2018-12-16 21:03 UT (#641184)
12" LX200R  (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
  CCD Image (50% size, log scale)
31 x 15s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 
2018-12-16 21:03 to 21:16 UT (#641184-222)
12" LX200R  (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
(Autoguided on comet using TS 80mm APO
+ ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2)
      

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C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) - Comet

 

C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto)
 (passing through Auriga)
Sun Distance 1.31 AU
Earth Distance 0.53 AU (78.6 million km)
  C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) - Detail
Aligned on Comet 
(stars appear trailed due to movement of comet)
 
Image    Image
CCD Image (50% size, linear scale)
30s exposure (single frame), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-23 23:00 UT (#667063)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
  CCD Image (50% size, log scale)
7 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-23 23:00 UT (#667063-69)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
      
    More Images of C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto)    
     
C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) - Earlier Image (2019-02-20)
 (passing through Gemini)
Sun Distance 1.30 AU
Earth Distance 0.44 AU (65.3 million km)
  C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) - Closer View (2019-02-20)


 
Image    Image
CCD Image (50% size)
30s exposure (single frame), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-20 22:53 UT (#665138)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
  CCD Image (100% size,cropped)
Image details as above


 

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HAT-P-36 - Exoplanet Host Star

HAT-P-36 \ GSC 3020:2221 (Canes Venatici)
through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
V mag 12.3, B-V 0.82, Depth 15 mmag, period 1.33d

Image
CCD Image (70% size)
4 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-24 03:19 UT (#667275-79)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
HAT-P-36 - Earlier Image (2019-02-13)
through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
Image
Annotated CCD Image (70% size)
4 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-13 22:58 UT (#663245-49)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2

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HAT-P-18 - Exoplanet Host Star

HAT-P-18  (Hercules)
V mag 12.76, B-V --,  Alias GSC 2594:646
HAT-P-18b Depth20 mmag, Period 5.50d

Image
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
4 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 03:27 UT (#667282-86)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
HAT-P-18 through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
Photometric options for measuring a future transit of HAT-P-18 b are :

a) use a single reference star C1 (Undef, GSC 2594:731, V Mag +10.5, B-V ??)
with one check star K (Undef, GSC 2594:272, V mag +12.2, B-V ??) 
or
b) ensemble of  reference stars C1, C2, C3
C1 (as above), C2 (117, GSC 2594:496, V mag +11.653, B-V 0.912)
C3 (131, GSC 2594:102, V mag +13.145, B-V 0.595)
C4 (128,  GSC 2594:789, V mag +12.848, B-V 0.525) - outside image fov.
with one check star K (Undef, GSC 2594:272, V mag +12.2, B-V ??) 
 
HAT-P-18:  (catalog V mag  mag 12.76, B-V ---)
Image
Annotated CCD Image (70% size)
4 x 20s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-24 03:30 UT (#667287-90)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
Frames have been examined  to check whether the exposure time used (20s) is ok or not.
20s exposure in Xo (BB) filter, 3x3 binning, max pixel ~11000 (C1 Star),  ~3000 (HAT-P-18)
Exposure is much too short.  Proposal is to try 60s  (3x3 binning) 
and increase W offset by 1.5' and decrease N Offset by 0.3' to get C4 reference star inside FOV
(i.e. new offsets W 1.5',  N -2.2')

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Kepler-447 - Exoplanet Host Star

Kepler-447 (Draco)
V mag 10.8 (?12.5), B-V --, Alias
Kep-447 b, Depth 29 mmag, Period 7.79d

Image
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
5 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 04:05 UT (#667317-21)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
Kepler-447 (Draco)
through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
Photometric options for measuring a future transit of Kepler-447 b are :

a) use a single reference star C1 (Undef,  GSC 3545:843, V Mag +10.6, B-V 1.27)
with one check star K (Undef,   GSC 3545:1113, V mag +11.8, B-V ??) 
or
b) ensemble of  reference stars C1, C2, C3, C4
C1 (as above), C2 (Undef, GSC 3545:461, V mag +11.03, B-V 0.76)
C3 (Undef, GSC 3545:127, V mag +10.19, B-V 0.40)
C4 (Undef, GSC 3545:569, V mag +11.5, B-V ??)
 
Kepler-447:  (catalog V mag  mag 10.8/ ?12.5, B-V
??)
Image
Annotated CCD Image (70% size)
5 x 20s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-24 04:08 UT (#667322-26)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
Frames have been examined  to check whether the exposure time used (20s) is ok or not.
20s exposure in Xo (BB) filter, 3x3 binning, max pixel ~17500 (C1 Star), 
~21000 (C2 Star), ~ 26000 (C3 Star) ~4000 (Kepler-447)
Opportunity to increase exposure to 30s, 
N offset to be changed from 3' to 1' to provide better centering of reference stars.

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TrES-2 - Exoplanet Host Star

TrES-2 Parent Start / GSC 3549:2811 (Draco)
V mag 11.41, B-V 0.62, TrES-2b Depth 17 mmag, Period 2.47d
 Also known as Kepler-1

Image
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
3 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 03:06 UT (#667259-62)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
TrES-2  through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
Photometric options for measuring a future transit of TrES-2 b are :

a) use a single reference star C1 (108, GSC 3549:2716, V mag +10.792, B-V 1.011)
with one check star K ( GSC 3549:2837, mag +12.3) 
or
b) use an essemble of reference stars C1 to C3
C1 (as above),
C2 (121, GSC 3550:628, mag +12.140, B-V 1.066), 
C3 (128, GSC 3549:2829, mag +12.811, B-V, 1.044)
Alt Check Star K2 (GSC 3549:2776, mag +12.1)

TrES-2: (catalog mag +11.41, B-V 0.62)

(N.B. other photometric stars only visible in by adjusting the TrES-2 N/W offsets
C4 (116,  GSC 3549:2704, mag +11.561, B-V, 0.963)
C5 (120,  GSC 3549:2815, mag +12.022, B-V, 0.624)
Image
Annotated CCD Image (70% size)
5 x 20s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-24 03:08 UT (#667263-67)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
Frames have been examined  to check whether the exposure time used (20s) is ok or not.
20s exposure in Xo (BB) filter at 3x3 binning has max pixel value of ~ 14000
presenting an opportunity to take a slightly longer exposure
Proposal is to repeat Xo exposures at 30s.

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TrES-3 - Exoplanet Host Star

TrES-3  (Hercules)
V mag 12.4, B-V 0.71, TrES-3b Depth 29 mmag, Period 1.31d
Alias GSC 3089:929 / V1434 Her / AAVSO UID: 000-BFT-449
TrES-3  V mag 12.4, B-V 0.71, TrES-3b Depth 29 mmag, Period 1.31d

Image
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
5 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 04:45 UT (#667354-58)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
TrES-3 through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
Image
Annotated CCD Image (70% size)
4 x 20s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-24 04:48 UT (#667360-63)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
Photometric options for measuring a future transit of TrES-3 b are :

a) use a single reference star C2 (GSC 3089:995): V Mag +11.792 (0.012), AUID 000-BJP-977)
with one check star K (GSC 3089:741): V Mag +13.001 (0.010),  AUID 000-BJP-974) 
or
b) adjust target pointing and use wider ensemble of  reference stars C1, C2, C3
C1 (GSC 2620:812, V Mag +11.411 (0.022) , AUID 000-BJP-972),
C2 (GSC 3089:995,  V Mag +11.792 (0.012), AUID 000-BJP-977)
C3 (GSC 2620:301, V Mag +12.589 (0.010), AUID 000-BJP-971
with one check star K (GSC 3089:741, V Mag +13.001 (0.010),  AUID 000-BJP-974)  
 
Xo (BB) frames were  been examined  to check whether the exposure time used (20s) and FOV are ok or not.
WIth 20s exposure, 3x3 binning, max pixel values are ~5000 (C2 Star),  ~3000 (TrES-3)
There is opportunity to improve photometric signal by using a longer exposure time of 30 or 45s.

Frames used a Target Offsets of N 3.0 arc min, W 0.0 arc min. The north offset have been
a planning mistake since C1 and C2 references stars both lie south of the FOV.
There is opportunity to modify target pointing offsets to N -3.0 arc min, W 1.5 arc min
in order to get more reference stars into FOV during future attempts.
 

TrES-3 - Earlier Image (2007-08-13)

Image 
Annotated CCD Image
3 x 60 sec exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2007-08-13 23:02h UT (#203194-98)
8" LX200 Classic + ST-7E

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WASP-135 - Exoplanet Host Star

WASP-135 (Hercules)
V mag 13.3, B-V 0.97, Alias GSC 2089:428, TYC 2089-64-1,
WASP-135 b, Depth 21 mmag, Period 1.40d

Image
Annotated CCD Image (50% size)
3 x 45s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-24 03:38 UT (#667295-97)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
WASP-135 through Astrodon Exoplanet Blue Blocking (BB) Filter
Photometric options for measuring a future transit of WASP-135 b are :

a) use a single reference star C1 (Undef,  GSC 2607:127, V Mag +10.26, B-V 1.27)
with one check star K (Undef,  GSC 2089:272, V mag +12.5, B-V ??) 
or
b) ensemble of  reference stars C1, C2, C3
C1 (as above), C2 (Undef, GSC 2089:1673, V mag +12.0, B-V ??)
C3 (Undef, GSC 2089:1627, V mag +12.3, B-V ??)
 
WASP-135:  (catalog V mag  mag 13.3, B-V 0.97
)
Image
Annotated CCD Image (70% size)
5 x 30s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Xo Filter
2019-02-24 03:42 UT (#667299-303)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
Frames have been examined  to check whether the exposure time used (30s) is ok or not.
30s exposure in Xo (BB) filter, 3x3 binning, max pixel ~29000 (C1 Star),  ~3000 (HAT-P-18)
Exposure is too short to reduce noise associated with Wasp-135 magnitude measurement,
but can not be increased unless the bright star C1 is dropped from reference list.

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IC 1222 - Spiral Galaxy (ARP 73)

IC 1222  (Hercules)
Aliases  ARP 73, PGC 58544
Image
CCD Image (50% size)
5 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-23 22:37 UT (#667048-52)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
IC 1222 - Detail
Image
CCD Image (100% size, linear scale, cropped)
Image details as above
 
Image
Negative CCD Image (100% size, linear scale, cropped)
Image details as above
 
IC 1222 - Earlier Image (2019-02-06)
Image
CCD Image (100% size, cropped)
4 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-06 06:21 UT (#658004-07)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
IC 1222 - Earlier Image (2007)
Image
CCD Image (100% size)
3 x 3 min exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter
2007-10-22 20:11hUT (#224094-96)
8" LX200 Classic (at f/6.3) + ST-7E

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NGC 3684 - Spiral Galaxy

NGC 3684 (Leo)
Ast. Now Deep Sky Challenge Object, Mar 2019
Image
CCD Image (50% size, linear scale)
5 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter
2019-02-23 22:04 UT (#667024-28)
12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME
Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2
 
NGC 3684 - Detail
Image
CCD Image (100% size, square root scale, cropped)
Image details as above
 

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