Deep-Sky Observer - DSO 197

In this issue

Owen Michael Brazell 1957 to 2026 Steve Rayner

Observations of William Herschel’s "Lost Twenty" deep-sky objects Mark Bratton

Webb Deep-Sky Society Annual Meeting 2025 Bob Argyle

Webb Deep-Sky Society Annual Report April 2024 to March 2025 Steve Rayner

Observing Owen’s Galaxies of the Month David Reynolds

Object of the Season: Planetary Nebula NGC 6543 in Draco Wolfgang Steinicke

Editorial

I am sure most readers will have heard the news of our President and DSO Editor Owen Brazell’s tragic death in a car accident in March. I had been friends with Owen since 1977 when we first met at St. Andrews University, and was stunned to hear the news. Owen is deeply missed by his friends, family, and the astro-community.

As I have been doing the DSO layout for a few issues now, I volunteered to edit this issue of DSO, which was in the early days of preparation, and following a committee meeting to continue as DSO Editor for the future.

Although probably most of our UK members will have heard of me, I thought I’d introduce myself to our worldwide membership. As a child of the space-race I was really into science and astronomy. I studied Physics & Electronics at St. Andrews, graduating in 1981, the same year as Owen. I have worked mostly in the software world, development, support and project management until I ‘retired’ a couple of years ago. I had a fascination in astronomy and observing from childhood. But from about 1995 onwards it has been my main hobby passion. I used a 10” DIY Dobsonian for many years, but when Owen upgraded to an Obsession, I purchased his 20” Dark Star Dobsonian from him. This was my work-horse for many years. My current main night-time scopes are a Celestron C11, and a 12” Dobsonian. I have also succumbed to a Seestar S50. If I had to pick a favourite subject it would be Globular Clusters, but I am also keen to observe PNe, Galaxies and Dark and Bright nebulae. I did dabble with EAA for a while, but since moving to the Orkney Islands nearly four years ago, deep sky observing has been visual with the 12” Dob mostly. I am also the director of the Deep Sky Section of the British Astronomical Association, and a past President. Owen always enjoyed to ‘poke’ the BAA, an organisation he had many roles in over the years.

I was able to travel to our Annual Meeting in Cambridge this year. It was an excellent meeting and was great to meet up with so many members, friends and acquaintances. Perhaps the meeting was not as well attended as hoped, so the committee would like to hear your thoughts. Is the location/venue good for many people? And is the timing, in June, a good one? It has been proving difficult to book the IoA in Cambridge until relatively late with consequent problems of arranging speakers and publicity - would you support moving to a different venue? Any suggestions would be appreciated. And there have been thoughts about simplifying the price structure, to be all-in, including lunch, with just a different price for members/non-members - please let us know how you would feel about that? At the moment we have not found a new President for the society. It is an important, key role but with Owen’s passing still feeling raw, I hope you will be able to bear with us till this can be resolved.

In taking on the role of DSO Editor from Owen, it is a hard act to follow. Owen did contribute a large amount of material himself, and always had a finger on the (weakening) pulse of the book and software publishing industries. Few issues of DSO would not go without an appeal for short pieces or long-form articles and, for DSO to continue, I would re-iterate those appeals. Please do send in items and images (to editor@webbdeepsky.com), and I hope we will be able to return to a more frequent publication cycle. With your support we can ensure a legacy that Owen would be proud of.

Callum Potter - Editor of The Deep-Sky Observer