THE MAGNIFICENT 1000 Right Angle Sweep Coordinates for 1000 Deep Sky Objects Copyright 1998 T. C. Hoffelder Revision 1 - 8/24/98 CONTENTS Preface Introduction How to Use the Right Angle Sweep Constellation Abbreviations The Magnificent 1000 `It is not accident that wherever we point the telescope we see beauty...' R. M. Jones PREFACE When this listing was originally published as the Magnificent 700, there were few, if any, digital setting circles available to the amateur and many had difficulty finding deep sky objects. Thus the emphasis was placed on the right angle sweep method of location. With the high tech scopes of today, most observers will probably not be interested in the sweeps, but they can refer to the listing for the best the heavens have to offer. The sweep information is still included for those who have not gone high tech, and also for those who have, in case they need a backup location system due to dead batteries. For Lynn, who is still my shining star. Tom Hoffelder 9/97 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this listing is to summarize basic information on the 1000 best deep sky objects. Right angle sweep coordinates are also included for observers who would like to use an easy location method that does not require setting circles, detailed charts or large finders. The galaxies, clusters and nebulae are arranged by constellation and include all the Messier Objects, the `Finest NGC Objects' as listed in the Observer’s Handbook 1997 and the `Herschel 400' and `Herschel II' of the Astronomical League’s Observe. The information provided in each column is as follows: 1. NGC - The New General Catalogue identification number of the object. Objects are not always in numerical order to allow sweeping from one to another without returning to a star and to group sweep stars together. Objects using the same sweep star are also grouped together. 2. From - The star or object from which the sweep is originated. Stars are identified by Greek letter or Arabic numeral; `prv' in this column indicates that the sweep is made from the previous object, not a star. 3. Sweep - Declination and Right Ascension distance (in degrees of field unless otherwise noted) and direction from a star, or the previous object, to the current object. 4. Obj - The type of object: OC - Open Cluster, O/D - Open Cluster/Diffuse Nebula, GC - Globular Cluster, PN - Planetary Nebula, DN - Diffuse Nebula, SR - Supernova Remnant, GX - Galaxy 5. Mag - The magnitude of the object as listed in the Revised New General Catalogue of Nonstellar Astronomical Objects, by Jack W. Sulantic and William G. Tifft, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, copyright 1973 (by permission). 6. Size - The approximate size of the object in minutes of arc. 7. Cat - The Messier or Herschel Catalog number. Messier objects are identified by the standard `M' prefix and are in bold type while Herschel numbers are designated by two numbers. The first is the object number of a particular class, which is represented by the second number. Herschel’s classes are: 1 - Bright Nebula 2 - Faint Nebula 3 - Very Faint Nebula 4 - Planetary Nebula 5 - Very Large Nebula 6 - Very compressed and rich Clusters of Stars 7 - Compressed Clusters of small and large Stars 8 - Coarsely scattered Clusters of Stars 9. H4 - A check mark indicates the object is one of the Herschel 400. 10. FN - A check mark indicates the object is listed as one of the finest NGC objects in the Observer’s Handbook 1997. 11. HII - A check mark indicates the object is one of the Herschel II. 12. Comments - (1) Herschel number for objects that are also on Messier’s list, (2) the common name of well known objects, and (3) other objects visible in a one degree field of view with the main object centered. The latter is limited to objects of magnitude 13.5 or brighter (execpt in some cases involving HII objects). HOW TO USE THE RIGHT ANGLE SWEEP The sweep is performed by first centering the appropriate star in the eyepiece. Next the scope is moved either north or south the required distance by observing stars cross the field of view. The same procedure is then followed for the right ascension sweep by east or west movement. The declination sweep must be performed first since the object’s declination angle was used for the RA sweep calculation. The sweep can be approximated with a Dobsonian mount, but an equatorial is much preferred. As opposed to using conventional setting circles, polar alignment within a degree or two will provide satisfactory results. The optimum eyepiece for sweeping is one of low power which provides approximately one degree of true field. True field can be measured by noting the time in minutes that a star near the Celestial Equator takes to drift across the diameter of the eyepiece. Divide this time by 4 and you have the true field; 4 minutes equals one degree, 2 minutes equals one half degree, etc. Approximate true field can be calculated by dividing the apparent field of the eyepiece by the power at which the eyepiece is working. Eyepieces other than one degree may be used but then an additional calculation is required to determine the number of `fields.' For instance, if using an eyepiece with a one half degree field, the sweep values listed must be doubled. Only the brightest stars are used for sweeps so only very basic star charts are required for star identification. However, when using smaller scopes (8 inch range), detailed charts, like Uranometria 2000, can be very useful when looking for the dimmest objects listed. In order to see these difficult targets, it is helpful to know exactly where to look. If the object cannot be seen after sweeping to the area, a detailed chart can then be consulted to determine its exact location relative to stars in the field of view. As mentioned before, this is for very dim objects in small scopes only. Also, when using larger scopes, detailed charts are helpful if you are interested in identifying dim objects that may be visible along with the main object in the field of view. Setting circles of any type are not required at all and the smallest of finders, even a `gun sight,' is all that is necessary for star alignment. Straight through finders are recommended to allow rapid centering of the appropriate star. As an example of a sweep, check NGC 4244 in Canes Venatici (page 3). First center Beta in the eyepiece (we will assume it has a one degree field) and move the telescope slowly southward until a star that started near the farthest edge of the eyepiece has moved to the opposite edge. Do this two more times and then a little more than half a field and the 3.6 degree south sweep is complete (rotation of the declination axis results in a north or south motion only). Now rotate the telescope west (movement on the polar axis only) 3.2 eyepiece fields and there should be a relatively large edge-on galaxy near the center of view. After studying this galaxy, it is easy to sweep 1.5 fields south and 0.4 fields west to 4214, a nearby face-on spiral. With little practice, sweep movements become nearly automatic and objects can be found in a matter of seconds. CONSTELLATION ABBREVIATIONS And - Andromeda Leo - Leo Ant - Antlia Lep - Lepus Aql - Aquila Lib - Libra Aqr - Aquarius Lmi - Leo Minor Ari - Aries Lyn - Lynx Aur - Auriga Lyr - Lyra Boo - Bootes Mon - Monoceros Cam - Camelopardalis Oph - Ophiuchus Cap - Capricorn Ori - Orion Cas - Cassiopeia Peg - Pegasus Cen - Centaurus Per - Perseus Cep - Cepheus Phe - Phoenix Cet - Cetus Psc - Pisces Cma - Canis Major Pup - Puppis Cmi - Canis Minor Pyx - Pyxis Cnc - Cancer Scl - Sculptor Col - Columba Sco - Scorpius Com - Coma Berenices Sct - Scutum Crt - Crater Ser - Serpens Crv - Corvus Sex - Sextans Cvn - Canes Venatici Sge - Sagitta Cyg - Cygnus Sgr - Sagittarius Del - Delphinus Tau - Taurus Dra - Draco Tri - Triangulum Eri - Eridanus Uma - Ursa Major For - Fornax Umi - Ursa Minor Gem - Gemini Vel - Vela Her - Hercules Vir - Virgo Hya - Hydra Vul - Vulpecula