Deep Sky, Deep South!!

By Aaron B. Clevenson, ALCor

     “We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels;
     we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.”
          - Anton Chekhov 1897

Just when you thought you would not have to read another one of these AL Club articles, the AL creates a new one. Club number 23 has been unveiled: The Southern Sky Telescope Club.

There are lots of great objects to choose from and they can be viewed with a 5-inch telescope. The wonders of the southern sky have been broken up into three groups: Far South (-65 degrees to -90 degrees), Mid-South (-48 degrees to -65 degrees), and Near South (-11 degrees to -47 degrees). The rules say that you need to get at least 10 from the Far South group, a total of 30 from Mid-South and Far South, and a total of 50 overall.

My calculations say that you need to be able to see at least to -70 degrees to get the 10 Far South objects. I figure that means south of the Equator. The magnitudes are all over the place. Some objects are quite bright, some are not too bright. There are a bunch of Open Clusters and Globular Clusters, a few Planetary Nebulae and other Nebulae, and some Galaxies. There is even a Double Star (to make Messier feel right at home).

If you get to the Southern Hemisphere and you are lucky enough to have access to a modest telescope, this is a great club to suggest wonders that you shouldn’t miss. Take me with you!