General Session - August 1/2, 2019 (3rd Annual Big Muise Island Star Party)

Delphinus
Time: 9:46 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual

Jerry, Dave and I could easily see all 5 stars of the constellation. Jerry then told us about how the 4 stars forming the 'head' of the dolphin was also an asterism - Job's coffin. It is referred to as a coffin because of its long, box-like shape. 

Job’s Coffin is formed by four relatively bright stars in Delphinus: Rotanev (β Delphini), Sualocin (α Delphini), γ Delphini ,and δ Delphini. The two unusual star names – Rotanev and Sualocin – come from the Latinized name of Italian astronomer Niccolò Cacciatore – Nicolaus Venator – written in reverse.

A fifth star, Aldufin (ε Delphini), forms the dolphin's tail.

Lore re Job's Coffin:
There are two myths associated with the constellation Delphinus:

1- The dolphin constellation represents Poseidon’s messenger. When the sea god courted the nymph Amphitrite, one of the Nereids, she resisted his advances and took refuge among her sisters. Poseidon sent messengers to find her and bring her to him, among them a dolphin. The dolphin found the nymph, soothed her and brought her back to the god. The two were later married. Poseidon decided to honour the dolphin and placed his image among the stars.

2- It was Apollo, the god of poetry and music, who placed the dolphin among the constellations for saving the life of Arion, a poet and musician born on the island of Lesbos, whose skill with the lyre made him famous in the 7th century BC. Arion was sailing back to Greece after a concert tour of southern Italy when the sailors who were also on the ship started plotting to take the money he had earned. Surrounded, Arion asked them to let him sing one last song. The sailors allowed this, and Arion’s music drew several dolphins to the ship. As he played, the dolphins swam alongside the ship and Arion decided to take a leap of faith and he jumped overboard. One of the dolphins saved him and carried him all the way back to Greece. In this version of the myth, Apollo placed the dolphin next to the constellation Lyra in the sky, and Lyra represents Arion’s lyre.

Jupiter (in Scorpius)
Time: 10:00 PM + 11:58 PM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars

Only 3 Moons were seen adjacent to Jupiter - Callisto, Io and Ganymede. Europa was being occulted by Jupiter.

M55
Time: 10:42 PM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars 
S&T Chart Reference: 67, 69

Looking at the S&T Pocket Star Atlas, I noticed M55 between the Teapot handle and the bottom of Capricornus.  I started with Ascella and worked my way towards ω Capricorni. I accidentally found it using averted vision - showed Dave where it was located on the star map and he found it as well. A very faint fuzzy.

In looking for info on this object, it was suggested to follow the arc of stars from τ Sagittari to ψ Sagittari to χ Sagittari to h² (52 Sgr) and then go straight down to M55.

Satellite (ISS)
Time: 10:50 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars 

It appeared near Arcturus then disappeared just past Altair. Very bright and very fast! And very large compared to other satellites.

Satellite
Time: 10:55 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, Binoculars 

First noticed while on its path between the Keystone of Hercules and Corona Borealis. It Passed through Ophiuchus then disappeared between Antares and Deschubba.

Meteor
Time: 11:02 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual

Bright flash to the right of Serpens Caput, less than one second duration.

Satellite Time: ~ 11:20 PM ADT Equipment: Visual

Noticed it coming across the top of Ophiuchus and travelling across a corner of the Keystone of Hercule. It disappeared just past the Keystone.

M70
Time: 11:35 PM ADT
Equipment: Visual, binoculars 
S&T Chart Reference: 67, 69

Used my binoculars to attempt to find M70 approximately midway between Ascella and Tau Borealis in the Teapot. I could find M69 and M54 but M70 alluded me once more. Use a telescope next time!

M4 + Scorpius
Time: not recorded
Equipment: Visual, binoculars 
S&T Chart Reference: 56, 58

Scorpius was identified visually in the S-SE with Antares clearly visible naked eye and with binoculars. Could see as far down the tail/stinger as ε Scorpii before the remaining stars of the constellation disappeared in the murkiness. Was able to locate M4 adjacent to Antares.

M69 (Globular cluster)
Time: 12:25 AM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars 
S&T Chart Reference: 67, 69

There was a curved formation of 3 stars from Kaus Australis towards the inside of the Teapot. Just above this curve was M69. 

I hadn't been able to find M69 for a couple of years, despite good seeing and visibility. Perhaps my cataract surgery made a difference(?).

M54 / NGC 6715 / Summer Rose Star
Time: 12:25 AM ADT
Equipment: Binoculars 
S&T Chart Reference: 67, 69

I had been unable to find this object for a couple of years.

Focused my binoculars with Ascella at 9 o'clock in my FOV. Found M54 with averted vision! Finally.... success! It was very faint but it was found. I returned to this location later in the observing session to confirm I could find it again.