Observation by Dr Paul Leyland: Found by accident --- Messier 10

Uploaded by

Dr Paul Leyland

Observer

Dr Paul Leyland

Observed

2024 Aug 29 - 20:22

Uploaded

2024 Oct 19 - 17:52

Objects

M10

Equipment

0.4m Dilworth Relay
SX 814 CCD camera

Exposure

780s in 12 subs

Location

Tacande Observatory, MPC J22

Target name

Globular cluster M10

Title

Found by accident --- Messier 10

About this image

This image appears not because it is particular good but entirely because of the way I found it.

After opening the observatory and switching on the electronics I take an image of wherever the telescope may be pointing. Plate solving then gives the information necessary to sync the mount with Maxim DL and afterwards the scope can point to pretty much anywhere wanted, though I tend to refine the settings after a large slew.

Imagine my surprise when M10 appeared! What are the chances of an almost randomly chosen 16x12 arcminute field of view containing something like that?

The image shown is a stack of a few more subs taken without moving the telescope. The GC is not centred in the FOV and the edge of the field is apparent.

Also taken before focusing properly. The optics have astigmatism when outside focus, hence the elongated stars.

Files associated with this observation

M10.png (355.9 kB)

Like this image

Alan Thomas, Duncan Hale-Sutton

Copyright of all images and other observations submitted to the BAA remains with the owner of the work. Reproduction of work by third parties is expressly forbidden without the consent of the copyright holder. By submitting images to this online gallery, you grant the BAA permission to reproduce them in any of our publications.

Registered charity no. 210769
Registered company no. 117572

For more information including contact details, click here.

Our Terms of Use are here.

Our Privacy Policy is here.