Observation by Alan Thomas: M73 Asterism in Aquarius

Uploaded by

Alan Thomas

Observer

Alan Thomas

Observed

2022 Jul 10 - 23:44

Uploaded

2022 Jul 12 - 11:10

Objects

M73

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Constellation

Aquarius

Field centre

RA: 20^h58^m
Dec: -12°38'
Position angle: -18°39'

Field size

0°24' × 0°18'

Equipment

Unistellar eQuinox 112mm reflector

Exposure

2min.

Location

Norbreck Observatory, Warrington, Cheshire, UK.

Target name

M73 Asterism in Aquarius

Title

M73 Asterism in Aquarius

About this image

One of the Messier anomalies, this Y-shaped asterism in Aquarius was discovered by Charles Messier in Oct 1780. Messier thought he had detected a cluster with enveloping nebulosity, but this has not been confirmed by subsequent observations. The four 11 & 12th magnitude stars are physically unconnected with each other, and there are no signs of a nebula. A nice little object nonetheless.

Distances for the stars comprising the asterism range between 1,000 and 2,300ly.

Bortle 7/8. Moon waxing gibbous 88% 11 days old, but low in the SW. Thin high cloud.

Files associated with this observation

eVscope-20220710-234455 (2).jpg (112.8 kB)

Like this image

Philip Jennings, Callum Potter

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