NGC's 2264 & 2261

[StarSapling]

1/26/2016 - Oracle, Arizona - seeing fair/poor - trans good - obs. Good

120mm f5 refractor

Monoceros:

NGC2264 - Christmas Tree Cluster and associated nebulosity - 94x - Nebulosity noticeable around all brighter stars in cluster - nebulosity most conspicuous around brightest star (15) at north end of cluster (trunk of tree) and around group of stars at northwest part of cluster - nebulosity slightly less pronounced, but still conspicuous along western side of cluster - conspicuous nebulosity around stars at southern end of cluster (tip of tree) - hints of extensive but ill-defined dark mottling throughout brighter portions of nebulosity - large dark area sensed on south side of nebulosity at south end of cluster - nebulosity apparent around brighter stars some distance west of main cluster - nice close double south of cluster (yellow/bluish).

NGC2261 - Hubble’s Variable Nebula - 94x - Small, brightish, fan shaped - faint star at base of fan (south side of nebula) - south side of nebula bright and well defined - north side of nebula fading into imperceptibility and curving slightly to the west - hints of structure in southern portion of nebula - field star to the northeast

[jetstream]

Great report starsapling, you were right previously, it was Hubbles Variable nebula that I saw-thanks for pointing it out.

[Piero]

Nice reading! I would like to spot the nebulosity associated with the Christmas Tree one day! 

Thanks for sharing

[YKSE]

Nice report, I may need to revisit these beauties

[laudropb]

Very nice report. Well done.