The Beehive

[Don_K]

Early this morning I got my first view of the Beehive Cluster M44 through my new 12x70s. Wow, I don't recall ever seeing it like this before. Beautiful and Big!!! Before it came into my fov I'm scanning around and then Bamm!! there it is. More dramatic than M45 because M45 is quite visible beforehand, but the Beehive is a lot of stars in the middle of nowhere and not obvious to the naked eye. The middle of the cluster almost appears like a mini version of the Hyades with a V-like asterism. An outstanding view altogether.

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

I had a brilliant view of M44 last week.It fits brilliantly into the FOV of bins.It seemed almost 3D to me,and made me think of a Christmas Tree- perhaps even more so than NGC2264 'The Christmas tree' cluster in Monoceros.

[andrew63]

It's a nice sight in binoculars  - clusters show up really well. Glad to hear your enjoying the views with the new 12x70s Don.   It was about this time last year that Comet Lovejoy was close to the cluster, and remember it was a lovely early morning sight framed in my 10x50s. Not looking as spectacular as this image though !

andrew

The Other Great Morning Comet | Sky & Telescope

[WaveSoarer]

The beehive is one of my favourite open clusters. A real feast for the eyes and best seen in binoculars.