AAQ Visual Observing Section
Selected Deep Sky Objects In MuscaI thought we would finish our tour of this southern area of the night sky with a look at the most compact constellation all – Crux, and its immediate neighbour Musca. NGC 4833 (12h 59.6 min RA -70° 53 Dec) Initially you should be able to locate this bright globular set in a fine star field with your finderscope. Some stars can be resolved with 40x, and many more with 120x. Look for the bright field star near the edge of the group. NGC 4372 (12h 25.8 min RA -72° 40 Dec) This globular cluster is slighter fainter than and not as compact as NGC 4833. A bright 6.8 magnitude star close by makes it easy to find. Both these globular would make a fine sight in a larger telescope. Beta Muscae (12h 46.3 min RA -68° 06 Dec) A difficult double not easily split, I needed 320x and a night of excellent seeing to just separate. Theta Muscae (13h 08.1 min RA -65° 18 Dec) Look for the colour contrast between the two components of this double, you should be able to resolve them well with 80x. To me they seem to sit in a darker area among the surrounding star field – what do you think? Eta Muscae (13h 15.4 min RA -67° 55 Dec) Using 40x you should easily separate this very wide, very bright double. Look for the fainter double in the same field of view – almost a twin of Eta. NGC 5189 (13h 33.6 min RA -65° 59 Dec) One of the few planetary nebula I have so far found to be worth a look through a modest sized telescope. Using 120x and a UHC filter there were hints of a spiral appearance. With lower magnification it took on a fan shaped look. HJ 4498 (12h 06.4 min RA -65° 44Dec) Set in a fine star field this is a beautiful double with 40x. Try 80x to reveal the stunning colour contrast between this unequal pair. Look for it north of Zeta 2 Muscae.
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