2024Mt. Kobau Skies

This year (2024) during MKSP we have some suggestions as to what we might be able to look for in the night skies.

If you have some suggestions to share send an email to Webmaster@mksp.ca and we can add them to this space.

Hour by Hour of what to expect on typical night on the Mountain.

Time	What am I looking for?	Other Thoughts
8-9 pm	Sunset is around 1/2 past the hour. The sun is in the west.	This is a time of Preparation. Typically the talks in the parking lot occur at this time, from the summit the colours of the mountains can be spectacular. It'S well worth just sitting and watching some evening.
9-10 pm	It's now becoming darker. Stars start to emerge. Arcturus will be first. This Year there's no bright planets in the South and West. We will see Saturn in the SE rising at this time. We will see the Summer Triangle Overhead and Sagittarius and Scorpio to the south to the horizon.	The Talks are now over and most people are at their campsites, looking and taking pictures. there is time also to walk around and visit other MKSP Attendees. On some of the nights, there are Binocular Star Walks at this time.
10-11 pm	Darkness has fallen, Sagittarius is directly South. Jupiter rises in the East. the exact time will depend on your horizon	This is a good time for serious exploration of the Dark Sky.
11 pm to 1 am	Saturn is Transiting. Sag. is now setting. Mars is now rising in the NE. Might take a while to clear the hills.	We have moved beyond looking at the summer Milky Way, and now we have a selection of Globular Clusters, Nebulas and Galaxies to look at.
2-4 am	We are moving to look at the things we see in the evening sky in a couple of months.	Of course it is a good time to explore the Galaxies in the vicinity of Pegasus and other objects of interest associated with the Autumn skies.
4-6 am	This is the time to take a look for NGC 253, it Transits at 4:30am. Few locations west of Ontario give us access to this fine Galaxy in a close neighboring group of Galaxies.	This is when the winter Milky Way rises in the East, Orion, Gemini, Taurus come into view.
After 6am	Sunrise; a time to look for Venus that rises just before the Sun. There will be a waning crescent moon in the sky for most of the week before the New moon.	Time to plan to get some sleep.
7am - noon	Quiet Time	Many attendees are still sleeping. If you are up at this time, it is a good time to go on a hike and see the scenery on the mountain.

Planets of 2024 MKSP

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Object	Date	What to Expect

Object	Date	What to Expect
Sun	All week	At the time of the Star Party the Sun is in Leo. Don't expect to see anything that is in this part of the Sky at night!
Moon	Aug 4th	The Moon is New on the 4th, and will appear as an evening crescent for the remainder of the week.
Mercury	Earlier in week	In Leo and sets shortly after sunset.
Venus	Best Later in week	In Leo and sets shortly after sunset.
Mars	Earlier in week	In Taurus best viewed after midight.
Jupiter	All Week	In Taurus best viewed after midight.
Saturn	All Week	In Aquarius.
Uranus	All Week	In Taurus
Neptune	All Week	In Pisces

Showing 1 to 9 of 9 entries

Unaided Object List for Observation

Don't forget to download the form, as you may not have the internet while observing.

Target Audience Level: Beginner Suggested Optical aid: None required – all objects are visible with eyes alone Pin requirements: Find any 15 from the list

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Object	Type	Constellation	Notes	Order
Antares	Star	Scorpius	Antares is the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. It has the Bayer designation α Scorpii, which is Latinised to Alpha Scorpii. Often referred to as "the heart of the scorpion", Antares is flanked by σ Scorpii and τ Scorpii near the center of the constellation.	1
M7	Open Cluster	Scorpius	Messier 7 or M7, also designated NGC 6475 and sometimes known as the Ptolemy Cluster, is an open cluster of stars in the constellation of Scorpius. The cluster is easily detectable with the naked eye, close to the "stinger" of Scorpius. With a declination of −34.8°, it is the southernmost Messier object.	2
Ophiuchus	Constellation	Ophiuchus	Ophiuchus is a large constellation straddling the celestial equator. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek ὀφιοῦχος, meaning "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping a snake. The serpent is represented by the constellation Serpens.	3
Hercules	Constellation	Hercules	Hercules is a constellation named after Hercules, the Roman mythological hero adapted from the Greek hero Heracles. Hercules was one of the 48 constellations listed by the second-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. It is the fifth-largest of the modern constellations and is the largest of the 50 which have no stars brighter than apparent magnitude +2.5.	4
M13	Globular Cluster	Hercules	Messier 13 or M13, also designated NGC 6205 and sometimes called the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules or the Hercules Globular Cluster, is a globular cluster of several hundred thousand stars in the constellation of Hercules.	5
Sagittarius	Constellation	Sagittarius	Sagittarius is one of the constellations of the zodiac and is located in the Southern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. Its name is Latin for "archer". Sagittarius is commonly represented as a centaur pulling back a bow. It lies between Scorpius and Ophiuchus to the west and Capricornus and Microscopium to the east. The center of the Milky Way lies in the westernmost part of Sagittarius.	6
M8 (Lagoon)	Emission Nebula	Sagittarius	The Lagoon Nebula (catalogued as Messier 8 or M8, NGC 6523, Sharpless 25, RCW 146, and Gum 72) is a giant interstellar cloud in the constellation Sagittarius. It is classified as an emission nebula and as an H II region. The Lagoon Nebula was discovered by Giovanni Hodierna before 1654 and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the eye from mid-northern latitudes. Seen with binoculars, it appears as a distinct cloud-like patch with a definite core. Within the nebula is the open cluster NGC 6530.	7
Deneb	Star	Cygnus	Deneb is a first-magnitude star in the constellation of Cygnus, the swan. Deneb is one of the vertices of the asterism known as the Summer Triangle and the "head" of the Northern Cross. It is the brightest star in Cygnus and the 19th brightest star in the night sky, with an average apparent magnitude of +1.25.	8
Vega	Star	Lyra	Vega is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Lyra. It has the Bayer designation α Lyrae, which is Latinised to Alpha Lyrae and abbreviated Alpha Lyr or α Lyr	9
Altair	Star	Aquilla	Altair is the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila and the twelfth-brightest star in the night sky. It has the Bayer designation Alpha Aquilae, which is Latinised from α Aquilae and abbreviated Alpha Aql or α Aql.	10

Showing 1 to 10 of 32 entries

Bright Object List for Observation

Don't forget to download the form, as you may not have the internet while observing.

Target Audience Level: Anyone
Suggested Optical aid: Binoculars – all objects are magnitude 7.5 or brighter (Guide8) Pin requirements: Observe any 20 from the list using naked eye or binoculars. No telescopes allowed.

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Object	Type	Constellation	Notes
M3	Globular Cluster	Bootes	Many amateur astronomers consider it one of the finest northern globular clusters, following only Messier 13. M3 has an apparent magnitude of 6.2, making it a difficult naked eye target even with dark conditions with averted vision. However, with a moderate-sized telescope, the cluster can be seen as a cloudy smudge even in severely light-polluted skies, and can be further defined in darker conditions. It can be found by looking almost exactly halfway along the north-west line that would join Arcturus (α Boötis) to Cor Caroli (α Canum Venaticorum). Using a telescope with a 25 cm (9.8 in) aperture, the cluster has a bright core with a diameter of about 6 arcminutes and spans a total of double that.
M5	Globular Cluster	Serpens Caput	M5 is, under extremely good conditions, just visible to the naked eye as a faint "star" 0.37 of a degree (22' (arcmin)) north-west of star 5 Serpentis. Binoculars and/or small telescopes resolve the object as non-stellar.
M13	Globular Cluster	Hercules	About one third of the way from Vega to Arcturus, four bright stars in Herculēs form the Keystone asterism, the broad torso of the hero. M13 can be seen in this asterism 2⁄3 of the way north (by west) from Zeta to Eta Herculis. Although only telescopes with great light-gathering capability fully resolve the stars of the cluster, M13 may be visible to the naked eye depending on circumstances. With a low-power telescope, Messier 13 looks like a comet or fuzzy patch. The cluster is visible throughout the year from latitudes greater than 36 degrees north, with the longest visibility during Northern Hemisphere spring and summer. It is located at right ascension 16h 41.7m, declination +36° 28'. With an apparent magnitude of 5.8, it is barely visible with the naked eye on clear nights. Its diameter is about 23 arcminutes and it is readily viewable in small telescopes.[10] Nearby is NGC 6207, a 12th-magnitude edge-on galaxy that lies 28 arcminutes directly northeast. A small galaxy, IC 4617, lies halfway between NGC 6207 and M13, north-northeast of the large globular cluster's center. In traditional binoculars, the Hercules Globular Cluster appears as a round patch of light. At least four inches of telescope aperture resolves stars in M13's outer extent as small pinpoints of light. However, only larger telescopes resolve stars further into the center of the cluster
M92	Globular Cluster	Hercules	It is one of the brighter of its sort in apparent magnitude in the northern hemisphere and in its absolute magnitude in the galaxy, but it is often overlooked by amateur astronomers due to angular proximity to bright cluster Messier 13, about 20% closer. Though when compared to M13, M92 is only slightly less bright, but about 1/3 less extended. It is visible to the naked eye under very good viewing conditions. With a small telescope, M92 can be seen as a nebulous smudge even in a severely light-polluted sky, and can be further resolved in darker conditions.
M12	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	Roughly 3° northwest from the cluster M10 and 5.6° east southeast from star Lambda Ophiuchi, M12 is about 16,400 light-years (5,000 parsecs)[3] from Earth and has a spatial diameter of about 75 light-years. The brightest stars of M12 are of 12th magnitude. With a Shapley-Sawyer rating of IX, it is rather loosely packed for a globular and was once thought to be a tightly concentrated open cluster. Thirteen variable stars have been recorded in this cluster. M12 is approaching us at a velocity of 16 km/s
M10	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	Messier 10 can be found in Ophiuchus very close to another cluster, M12. To quickly find it, scan the area north of the Scorpion's tail from the constellation Scorpius. M10 sits near the center of Ophiuchus.
IC 4665	Open Cluster	Ophiuchus	IC 4665 (Collinder 349 / Melotte 179) is an open cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. The cluster began to develop less than 40 million years ago, and lies about 1,400 light years away from Earth. It is easily visible in the smallest of telescopes and also with binoculars. From a sufficiently dark place it is also visible to the naked eye. It is one of the brightest clusters not to be cataloged by Charles Messier or William Herschel, probably because it is so loose and coarse.
M19	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	One of these objects is Messier 19, a globular star cluster located in the constellation Ophiuchus. Of all the known globular clusters, M19 appears to be one of the most oblate (i.e. flattest) in the night sky. Discovered by William Herschel, this cluster is relatively difficult to spot with the naked eye, and appears as a fuzzy point of light with the help of magnification.
M62	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	Messier 62 (M62, NGC 6266) is one of the most irregularly shaped globular clusters, as was first reported by Herschel. This deformation may be a result of the fact that M62 is one of the closest of Messier's globulars to the Galactic center (only about 6100 light years), so that it is deformed by tidal forces. Its central condensation is obviously displaced from the center, to the lower right in our image (SE).
M80	Globular Cluster	Scorpius	This star cluster is, as to its angle from the solar system, midway between α Scorpii (Antares) and β Scorpii in a field in the Milky Way Galaxy that is rich in nebulæ. With low levels of light pollution it can be viewed below the 67th parallel north with modest amateur telescopes, appearing as a mottled ball of light.

Showing 1 to 10 of 36 entries

Intermediate Object List for Observation

Don't forget to download the form, as you may not have the internet while observing.

Valid Dates: Aug 12-20, 2023 Target Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate Suggested Optical aid: Telescopes up to 12 inches Pin requirements: Find 20 from the list using telescopes to 12”. No ‘goto’ or setting circles allowed

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Object	Type	Constellation	Mag	Notes
M102	Galaxy	Draco	10.8	NGC 5866 (one of two galaxies commonly called the Spindle Galaxy) is a lenticular galaxy.
NGC 5907	Galaxy	Draco	11.1	NGC 5907 (also known as Knife Edge Galaxy or Splinter Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy located approximately 50 million light years from Earth. NGC 5907 has long been considered a prototypical example of a warped spiral in relative isolation. The edge-on galaxy is seen in the constellation Draco, near the star iota Draconis. It is seen in the sky near to the much more distant galaxy NGC 5965.
IC 4593	Planetary Nebula	Hercules	10.9	IC 4593 is a planetary nebula in the constellation Hercules . The bright center of IC 4593 has an angular extent of about 17 ", whereby this planetary nebula is still surrounded by a much weaker, but with 120", clearly larger halo. IC 4593 is a somewhat inconspicuous planetary nebula and not easy to find in the "no man's land" between Hercules, snake bearer and snake. The best thing to do is move your telescope roughly in the right direction and orientate yourself towards the very conspicuous, 7.65 mag bright double star GSC 0953-0844. IC 4593 is located 11 '10 "of this in a north-westerly direction. At 100x magnification in medium-sized telescopes around 10"
NGC 6207	Galaxy	Hercules	12.1	NGC 6207 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Hercules. It is located near the globular cluster Messier 13
NGC 6791	Open Cluster	Lyra	9.5	NGC 6791 is an open star cluster in the Lyra constellation
M57	Planetary Nebula	Lyra	9.7	Ring Nebula
M107	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	7.9	is a very loose globular cluster in a very mildly northern part of the sky in Ophiuchus
M9	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	7.7	is a globular cluster in the constellation of Ophiuchus. It is positioned in the southern part of the constellation to the southwest of Eta Ophiuchi, and lies atop a dark cloud of dust designated Barnard 64.
NGC 6356	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	8.3	The star cluster is more dense and bright towards the middle. NGC 6356 is located 80' north east of the brighter NGC 6333
NGC 6366	Globular Cluster	Ophiuchus	9.2	NGC 6366 is a globular cluster located in the constellation Ophiuchus. Slightly over 3° North East of M14.

Showing 1 to 10 of 37 entries

Challenge Object List for Observation

Don't forget to download the form, as you may not have the internet while observing.

Valid Dates: Aug 12-20, 2023 Suggested Optical aid: Telescopes with aperture at least 250 mm (10”)
Pin requirements: Find any 15 of the following. No ‘goto’ or setting circles allowed

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Object	Type	Constellation	Mag	Notes
NGC 6364	Galaxy	Hercules	14.1	NGC 6364 (also known as MCG 5-41-13 , PGC 60228 and UGC 10835 ) is a spiral galaxy about 316 million sg from Earth in the constellation Hercules
IC 4617 *	Galaxy	Hercules	16.0	IC 4617 is a Seyfert 2 Galaxy in the constellation of Hercules.
NGC 6207	Galaxy	Hercules	12.1	Not far from and often in the same FOV as M13
PGC 60967	Galaxy Sb	Hercules	15.0	Faint Galaxy on the boundary with Ophiuchus. PGC stands for the Principle Galaxy Catalogue
Arp 103	Galaxy x 3	Hercules	14.9	Small cluster of three Galaxies
UGC 9241	Galaxy Sc	Bootes	14.2	a Starburst Galaxy in the constellation of Boötes. A Starburst Galaxy is a galaxy with an above average number of new stars, young stars are blue in colour whereas older stars are redder.
UGC 9240	Galaxy Irregular	Bootes	13.3	DDO 190 (or UGC 9240) is a dwarf irregular galaxy in the vicinity of the Milky Way, as it is relatively small and lacks clear structure. It is 9.10 million light-years (2.79 Mpc) away from Earth and lies out of the Local Group, determined by the tip of the red giant branch method.
MRK 841	Active Galactic Nuclei	Bootes	14.0	A type 1 Seyfert 1 Galaxy 15h04m01.2s +10d26m16s
NGC 6791	Open Cluster	Lyra	9.5	NGC 6791 is an open star cluster in the Lyra constellation.
Pluto	Dwarf planet	Capricorn	14.3	Near M75

Showing 1 to 10 of 23 entries

Mount Kobau Star Party

Mount Kobau Star Party

2024Mt. Kobau Skies

This year (2024) during MKSP we have some suggestions as to what we might be able to look for in the night skies.

Hour by Hour of what to expect on typical night on the Mountain.

Planets of 2024 MKSP

Unaided Object List for Observation

Bright Object List for Observation

Intermediate Object List for Observation

Challenge Object List for Observation

Things to see this year - (work in progress)

This space is reserved for a list of This Year's sponsors