Palomars Project

Spent a good amount of time in preparation for viewing this object. Trying to get the correct coordinates and maps for locating Pal 2. Having spent a few night vieiwing this object I can say at least now I am more than somewhat sure that I have found and observed Pal 2. Located next to a double star...the star field seems to match all the maps and coordinate information. Using both direct and adverted vision I have been able to catch it...sometimes poping out and sometimes right there. I have even used some tricks like jiggling the scope and slewing back an forth to make sure that the object is there. Object also seems to be at the instruments limit in conjunction with the sky conditions of visibility. I am hopefulyl going to revisit Pal 2 within the next few days to reconfirm the observation.

Recomfirmation of Palomar 2 Aug. 28, 2009, 03:01 UTC

Nice looking glob...easy to recognize...nice classic looking globular. At low mag (125x) has a faint comet like appearance. Overall mottled with about a dozen outer halo stars resolved with higher power (350x). Central core brightening...sits just off to the side of a pair of stars of somewhat equal brightness.

Finally. With a good month of planning and few failed attempts due to some incorrect coordinates…I’ve got my glimpse of Pal 8. The time spent planning for this observation paid off. First, I can’t stress the importance of planning and the collection of information…especially the observational reports of others who have actually had the opportunity to view these objects. From these reports I was able to get a feel for what I was looking for…it help greatly with the objects identification. Also, the downloading of photographic plates of the GC region helped prepare for what the actual star field (FOV) would look like…and it did! Pal 8 is similar to NGC 6540 in the sense that it looks like a faint warm glow that sits just above the background. I was actually surprised at the size of Pal 8…unlike its neighbor Pal 9 which is somewhat small with a bright central core region. Pal 8 was quite large with no brightening of its central core region. Somewhat easy to detect with direct vision (though one could easily pass over it) adverted vision did help to bring out more of the GC. Through the 16 inch it appeared somewhat oval with the objects brightness evenly diffused/distributed throughout the GC. The 12 inch did show the GC but just barely. At this point in time I consider Pal 9 as the easiest of all the Palomars with Pal 8 coming in second. Another important factor with these observations is the problem with dealing with the encroaching light pollution for the central Florida/Orlando area. Observing Palomars require dark stable skies.

April 29, 2009 03:24 UTC

Again I was able to capture Pal 8 with little effort. The image came right up on the first attempt. Pal 8 is somewhat more condensed in its central core than Pal 7 and 5. Having visually seen this GC previously it was nice to be able to also image it. This GC is located in an area rich in stars...good maps are a must. Also coordinates provided by Barbara Wilson's earlier research found the cluster to where it was supposed to be.