The American Association of Amateur Astronomers
The Constellation Vulpecula - The Little Fox
Make a survey of the very rich area of the sky composed of Cygnus, Lyra,
Vulpecula, and Sagitta. Here, in a relatively compact region,
are a wealth of objects to keep observers busy on an autumn night. Scanning this region with binoculars is a pure
joy, with field after field of star clusters and groupings everywhere you look. The listing of objects presented
on each page are just a few of the splendors waiting for you to observe.
M-27 - The Dumbell Nebula. This huge planetary nebula is easily seen in binoculars as a gray puff of light
in a very pretty field. In a telescope, the hourglass shape is obvious, and extensions are seen which actually
make it more football shaped. A wealth of detail awards careful scrutiny. Justifiably one of the most observed
deep sky objects.
Maybe Next Time
The Chopped Off Coathanger
Photo by Ed Flaspoehler |
This image of CR 399, Brocchi's
Cluster, or the Coathanger in Vulpecula, was taken during the Texas Star
Party on the morning of May 13, 2001. The equipment used was a Celestron
Short Tube 80mm f/5 refractor, with Fuji 800 negative film. As you can
see, the left hand side of the cluster is chopped off. The damage
happened during photo processing at the local 1-Hour photo lab at an
Eckerds Drug Store in Dallas, even though the clerks had been told DO
NOT CUT NEGATIVES. It always pays be be careful. But sometimes, being
careful does not matter. |
Cr 399 - The "Coathanger". This star cluster is easily seen with the naked eye with its distinctive
star pattern. A cruise though it with binoculars reveals many bright stars and star fields.
Article © Copyright Rick Raasch
Photos © Copyright Edward P. Flaspoehler, Jr.
Messier Objects in Vulpecula
|
Con
|
Messier
|
Type
|
R.A.
|
Dec.
|
Mag.
|
Size
|
NGC#
|
|
Vul
|
M27
|
Planetary Nebula
|
19h 59.6
|
22d 43
|
7.5
|
480" X 340"
|
6853
|
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