Early treasures.

[cotterless45]

Just above Castor and Pollux find the overlooked open cluster, NGC 2281 in Auriga. The stunning diamond contains four binaries, there is some colour here. The other stars here blend off into a delicate cluster, quite stunning.

The Newt was picking up plenty of binaries including iota Cancri (winter Albireo) and cracked open Tegmine ( a favourite). This is an excellent tester . Best results coming from an 8.8mm UWA in a x2 Barlow.Boosting the mag up to x270.

14 Aurigae was an old nemesis , quite easy in frac, a bit of averted caught the elusive third companion in this delicate triple. Some pleasing views of M42 , catching the "E" star and even at x30 , a very obvious "37" ,NGC2169.

M44 provided a view of the group of 5 binaries here, SLE337 through to Σ1254.

The ancient and distant NGC 2419 gave a slight sparkle at the end of the "fish hook " of stars. Quite riveting views, humidity in the air and an early start and an early packing up. Made a change from the frac views under 
clear skies !

Nick.

 

[wookie1965]

I must try 2281 see all those binaries.

[MarsG76]

Nice report accompanied by some good sketches.

[Trikeflyer]

50 minutes ago, cotterless45 said:

Just above Castor and Pollux find the overlooked open cluster, NGC 2281 in Auriga. The stunning diamond contains four binaries, there is some colour here. The other stars here blend off into a delicate cluster, quite stunning.

The Newt was picking up plenty of binaries including iota Cancri (winter Albireo) and cracked open Tegmine ( a favourite). This is an excellent tester . Best results coming from an 8.8mm UWA in a x2 Barlow.Boosting the mag up to x270.

14 Aurigae was an old nemesis , quite easy in frac, a bit of averted caught the elusive third companion in this delicate triple. Some pleasing views of M42 , catching the "E" star and even at x30 , a very obvious "37" ,NGC2169.

M44 provided a view of the group of 5 binaries here, SLE337 through to Σ1254.

The ancient and distant NGC 2419 gave a slight sparkle at the end of the "fish hook " of stars. Quite riveting views, humidity in the air and an early start and an early packing up. Made a change from the frac views under 
clear skies !

Nick.

 

Funnily enough I was out tonight and found NGC 2281.  Never seen it before, looked nice in the 8 inch dob. Liked the central diamond shape, definitely worth spending time on this one.