A break in the clouds

[mark81]

December has been terrible so far, so when I saw a break in the clouds I dashed outside and before i put the scope down I could tell the seeing wasn't great.

I checked out M42 first because I wanted to pick out m43 for my newly started Messier list but with the poor conditions and Orion being too low I couldn't manage it- M43 was easily visible but too transparent.

I stuck with Orion and saw that my Atlas had a little cluster marked just above Gamma Orionis,  called DO19? Not sure what that means but easily picked it out as a small open cluster of a handful of stars. I took a little sketch - which I do now with my new found enthusiasm taken from a quote I read about Messier.... He was 'a diligent observer with humble equipment but much enthusiasm' ?

Clouds were rolling in so I cracked on with NGC 2186 not too far from Betelgeuse - which was large, yes, but very faint under these conditions so I will check that out again.

I then noticed that NGC 1981 sits just above M42 - which after after a quick look I thougt this would work well under dark skies and a pair of 10x50s. Another sketch..

I finished off attempting the Crab Nebula but once again failed....

Half hour well spent ....

 

[happy-kat]

Looks a very rewarding approach to observing.

[Astro Imp]

Nice one pal. Got to make the most of what we're given at the moment.

[cotterless45]

15 hours ago, mark81 said:

had a little cluster marked just above Gamma Orionis,  called DO19? Not sure what that means but easily picked it out as a small open cluster of a handful of stars. I took a little sketch - which I do now with m

DO refers to the Dolidze catalogue of open clusters. Many have been incorporated into the NGC catalogue, https://www.stellar-journeys.org/cluster-dolidze-info.htm

Nick.

[cloudsweeper]

Well done Mark -  I'm also on the lookout for a brief window of opportunity!

Doug.

[mark81]

57 minutes ago, cloudsweeper said:

Well done Mark -  I'm also on the lookout for a brief window of opportunity!

Doug.

Yea, it was very brief but felt nice to be outside again.  Looking much better tonight ...?

[scarp15]

Good report and determined by the brief opportunities between cloud cover. I think that the east has encountered more clear spells perhaps but still quite frustrating in planning for a session. I to was out a little early for Orion, clusters therefore are highly dependable targets in these circumstances, when other targets may require a bit more time and patience, transparency conditions. There is a cold N/E weather front slowly moving in bringing high pressure, so circumstances may improve a little later in week, maybe.