On 12/1/11, Hutchings, Mat (H USA) <mat.hutchings@siemens.com> wrote:
Chuck, that's a good recommendation.
The intention of this thread is not to simply generate another list. It is to have a list that is personally significant to members of the Utah astro community. There are many lists out there (Messier, SAA 100, 110 beyond Messier, TAAS 200, Herschel 1 and 2 the Caldwell Card and on and on).
Hi Mat, of course I understand. I just am not of the personality type that operates using the tag "favorites". As I posted, I love all celestial objects equally. They all have their charms, and the challenge is to appreciate each eyepiece view for what it offers. Now, that said, and with the up front statement that having been at the eyepiece for over 43 years now, a few objects have truly stuck in my mind more than others. I do have a fondness for asterisms, and one of my favorites is "Kemble's Cascade", first called to my attention by the late Walter Scott Houston, former S&T columnist and noted deep-sky observer. Here are a few links to websites showcasing the asterism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemble%27s_Cascade http://www.backyard-astro.com/deepsky/bino/01_b.html http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100128.html Many thanks to "Scotty" (Houston) for first calling my attention to this delightful asterism, when I was a very young person. As an aside, when I read of Houston's sudden death many years ago, I actually cried. More than anyone else, I credit him with figuratively taking me by the hand and leading me to so many, many astronomical objects of incredible, though admittedly esoteric beauty. Carry on. :-)