These are our observations in Aquarius

• An early observation of the August 2017 Galaxies

  The sketch is the result of two observation sessions, made with the 20” Dobsonian, under NELM 5.5/5.6 skies.

  NGC 6962 and NGC 6964 stand out immediately. NGC 6961 is small, indistinct and difficult, even at higher magnifications. NGC 6967 becomes a more defined oval at higher magnifications and at times I thought I got a hint of a core. It is located near a brighter star. NGC 6959 sits in a nice star grouping. NGC 6965 possibly shows a hint of a core at higher powers.

  

  The group would be worth a revisit on one of those rare very good nights.

  Mike Wood - 28 July 2017

• An Asterism and a Galaxy

  Dale Holt appears to be back in the observational groove as he says Returning from Kelling inspired, I grabbed 3 observations in Aquarius, NGC7009 was in response to Wolfgang's Webb Deep-Sky Society's object of the season.

  Well your not going to see NGC7009 here, that's one for the Deep-Sky Observer, but of the other two targets let's start with an easy one: M73, an asterism.

  

  And for those that would like something a little more challenging there's the galaxy NGC 7010.

  

  Dale Holt - (8 October 2016).

• Observations the June and July Galaxies of the Month

  The skies were pretty good – about mag 5.7. I used the Mewlon 300 and 17mm Ethos (x210) for the sketches.

  First off was June’s Galaxy of the Month; NGC 6702/3 in Lyra.

  

  NGC 6702 was about twice as faint as NGC 6703 which had an obvious core and outer halo. Hint of core/outer halo in NGC 6702.

  Next was July’s Galaxy of the Month; NGC 6901/6 but I didn’t realise until too late that NGC 6901/6 don’t fit in the same FOV so I’ve had to split them into two different sketches – Doh!

  

  NGC 6901 was very faint, needed Averted Vision (AV) to see it. I thought NGC 6906 had a hint of a stellar core but looking at the maps Owen provided afterwards probably a star superimposed on it.

  

  Andrew Robertson - 5 August 2016

• Observations of the NGC 7727 group in Aquarius

  A brief view of August’s Galaxy of the Month through variable cloud with the Mewlon 300 and 27mm Panoptic.

  NGC 7727 was easy with a bright core and an obvious circular halo. NGC 7724 I could only pick up Averted Vision (AV) through the most transparent periods. Didn’t get a chance to look for NGC 7723.

  

  Although reference books and images say NGC 7724 is smaller it looked a similar size to me but a very uniform low surface brightness circular glow. Perhaps a combination of AV making it difficult to judge and possibly the bright core of NGC 7727 masking the outer extremities of its halo making it look smaller than it is.

  Andrew Robertson - 4 August 2016

• Observations of NGC 7727 and NGC 7724

  Please find attached my observations of the galaxy of the month, NGC 7727 and just for good measure, its neighbour NGC 7724.The weather having been so awful this summer, I've had to reach back into the archives again. Not so far this time, only to November 2015. Both these observations were made at Drumroamin Farm in Galloway, at the Stargazers' Lounge Star Party.

  This particular night had two clear spells. During the first, early in the evening when these observations were made, the sky was a bit mushy - not as crystal clear as it could have been, and as it was later. Still much better than anything I get at home, though. The instrument used was a 12" Newtonian reflector with a 10mm Plossl eyepiece.

  NGC 7727 appeared fairly bright and round with a slightly elongated brighter middle, and a possible nucleus.

  

  NGC 7724 was a different matter, and quite difficult. Very faint, only occasionally seen. Round with no apparent brightening.

  

  Patrick Maloney - (1 August 2016).