Cool things to observe with my new Mak 102

[Dakuwaqa]

That aren’t planets.

 

Anything relatively easy to find and nice to look at when planets aren’t visible?

[domstar]

Hi, 

Orion is fantastic at the moment. The Orion Nebula (with the Trapezium inside) is one of the most spectacular things in the sky. There are also wonderful bright doubles nearby, such as Rigel, Alnitak and Sigma Ori. 

Hope you have fun.

[Astro Noodles]

1 hour ago, Dakuwaqa said:

That aren’t planets.

 

Anything relatively easy to find and nice to look at when planets aren’t visible?

There is an excellent book called 'Turn Left at Orion' which is great for interesting things to observe.

[Stu]

1 hour ago, Dakuwaqa said:

That aren’t planets.

 

Anything relatively easy to find and nice to look at when planets aren’t visible?

Some nice open clusters in Gemini and Auriga; M35, 36, 37 and 38. 

[Zermelo]

Double stars.

Here are some selections relevant to the current season:

https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/pretty-double-stars-for-everyone/
https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/celestial-objects-to-watch/orions-splendid-double-stars/
https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/fishing-for-double-stars-in-pisces/
https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/lets-explore-orions-belt/

There's also a curated list of objects by constellation here.

 

[Giles_B]

Pleiades is fantastic - find it in Taurus - and the beehive cluster in Cancer was a nice find for me last week.

Great to have some clear nights again after all the cloud over Christmas.