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(IAAC) Obj: Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC, ESO 056-115), NGC 2070 (Tarantula Nebula) - Inst: naked eye, 10x50 and 16x80 binocs
Observer: Steve Coe
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: February 1998
Location of site: SS Dawn Princess, Caribbean Sea (Lat 15oN, Elev 0m)
Site classification: Exurban(!)
Sky darkness: 4 <1-10 Scale (10 best)>
Seeing: 5 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: naked eye, 10x50 handheld, 16x80 tripod binoculars
Magnification: 1x, 10x, 16x
Filter(s): none
Object(s): Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC, ESO 056-115), NGC 2070 (Tarantula Nebula)
Category: External galaxy. Extragalactic HII.
Class: SBm III-IV
Constellation: Dor
Data: mag 0.4, ? size 10o x 9o, 40'x25'
Position: RA 05:30 DEC -70:00
Description:
The Large Magellanic Cloud is somewhat difficult with just
the naked eye from this latitude. First, it is not above
the horizon much. Second, the humidity and clouds near
the horizon lower the contrast and make it difficult. In
the 10X50 binocs I could just see the Tarantula Nebula
and a faint glow of the main body of the galaxy. It was
much better in the 16X80s, the Tarantula is much easier
and the contrast between the galaxy and the sky is better.
Never a good view, but it was there.