D R A C O - U R S A M I N O R
Hello!
Draco "The Dragon", represents the monster slain by the Grrek hero Hercules as one of his many deeds. Draco was the guardian of Hera's tree of golden apples.
(an alternate myth has Draco being the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece from Jason and the Argonauts).
While Draco is the eigth largest constellation, and circumpolar, it does not contain any star brighter than second magnitude.
Ursa Minor "The Little Bear"
Ursa Minor is one of the oldest Constellations. While it generally is thought to have come from the ancient Greeks,
it was known beforehand by the Phoenicians. The Greeks saw these stars as representing Arcas, the son of the king of the gods, Zeus and the maiden Callisto.
Zeus changed both Callisto and Arcas into bears so that they could be together up in the sky, out of the reach of Hera, wife of Zeus.
Ursa Minor is also famous as the asterism, The Little Dipper, along with the North Star - 'Polaris'!
Polaris is the brightest star of the constellation.
Because it is located at almost the exact center position of the north pole of the celestial sky, all the stars and constellations appear to rotate around it.
This of course, is actually caused by the Earth rotating on its axis.
As the constellation of Ursa Minor is located near the North Pole of the sky, it never sets, and can be found all night as it rotates around the pole.
This type of constellation is called 'Circumpolar'.
06/14/2012 - 2 seconds, StellaCam II and Cannon 5.5 CCTV lens |
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Deep-Sky objects located in the Constellation of Draco:
M102 (galaxy) - 08/12/1991 - 8" Dob f4.5, 6.5mm 141x
M102 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5866-M102 (galaxy) - 08/08/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC2908 (galaxy) - 06/15/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC2938 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC2977 (galaxy) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC2957, 2957A, 2963 & PGC28177 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3057 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3061 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3144 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3147 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC3155 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3183 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC3197 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3210, 3212 & 3215 (double star and two galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3252 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3329 (galaxy) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC3343 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3403 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC3465 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3500 & 3523 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3523 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3562, PGC34129, 34207 & 2752728 (galaxy) - 08/11/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 45 seconds
NGC3682 (galaxy) - 09/08/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 30 seconds
NGC3735 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC3747 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC3752 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC3879 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC3890 or also known as 3939 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC3961 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4034 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4120 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4124 & 4125 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4125 (galaxy) - 05/24/1998 - 8" Dob f4.5, 32mm + 2.8x Barlow 78x
NGC4128 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4133 (galaxy) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC4159 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4210 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4236 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4236 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4238 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4250 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4256 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4291 & 4319, and Markarian-205 (galaxy) - 06/14/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
Markarian-205 (quasar) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4331 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4332 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4363 & PGC40048 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4386 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4391 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4441 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4512, 4521 & PGC2662873 (galaxy) - 09/04/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4522 & 4589 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4545 (galaxy) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC4572 (galaxy) - 06/15/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4589 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4648 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4693 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4749 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4750 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC4857 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC4954, PGC2767647, 2767690 & 2767790 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5667 (galaxy) - 10/20/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5678 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5777 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5879 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5881 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5894 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5905 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5907 (galaxy) - 06/14/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 30 seconds
NGC5908 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5949 (galaxy) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC5963 & 5965 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5981 & 5982 & 5985 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5987 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5989 (galaxy) - 06/15/2018 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6015 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6088A & 6088B (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6125/6127 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6140 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6143 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6182 & PGC58331 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6232 & 6236 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6285 & 6286 (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
NGC6338, 6345, 6346, IC1252, PGC59929 & 59943 (galaxy)
09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6340 (galaxy) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC6361 & MCG10253 (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
NGC6365A & B (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
NGC6395 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6412 (galaxy) - 08/25/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6434 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6503 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6543 (planetary nebula) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 15 seconds
NGC6621 & 6622 (galaxy) - 08/25/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6643 (galaxy)
06/13/2012 - 6" RC f5, StellaCam-3 @ 20 seconds 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
NGC6654 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6667 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6690 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6742 (planetary nebula) - 08/24/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 25 seconds
Draco Dwarf - (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3, 180 seconds
UGC10214 "Tadpole" (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
UGC10396 (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
UGC10770 (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 180 seconds
Deep-Sky objects located in the Constellation of Ursa Minor:
Polaris
07/22/1984 - 50mm Minolta XG-1 15 minutes unguided
Polaris (double star) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ .06 seconds
NGC4972 - see entry for NGC4954 in Draco.
NGC5034 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5144 & PGC46846 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5323 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC5385 (open cluster) - 06/13/2012
80MM f3 Refractorr, StellaCam-II @ 8 seconds 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 10 seconds
NGC5412 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC5452 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5547 & IC4404 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC5607 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5620 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5671 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5712 & IC4470 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5819 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC5832 (galaxy) - 06/21/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5836 (galaxy) - 09/18/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC5909, 5912 and MCG1311012 (galaxy) - 09/18/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6011 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC6048 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6068 & 6068A (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6071 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC6079 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6079 (galaxy) - 09/16/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6091 & 6079 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC6094 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
NGC6217 (galaxy) - 08/25/2014 - 8" SCT f5, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
NGC6251 & 6252 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6324 (galaxy) - 06/13/2012 - 6" RC f9, StellaCam-3 and .5 focal reducer @ 20 seconds
NGC6331, CGCG355026 and 355027 (galaxy) - 09/18/2017 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 60 seconds
UGC10054 (galaxy) - 06/13/2015 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3 @ 35 seconds
Ursa Minor Dwarf - (galaxy) - 08/06/2016 - 8" SCT f6.3, StellaCam-3, 180 seconds
"the Dippers" - 06/14/2012
5mm Canon CCTV lens, StellaCam-II 2 seconds
Hope you enjoyed the visit. Come again soon!
Larry McHenry, Pittsburgh, PA. USA
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