Lucky break!

[robneath]

Just got back in from a superb session. Popped my head outside at about midnight and immediately grabbed the bins - the sky was clear and spent 30 mins scanning around. got a bit confused as what I thought was Alderbaran want where it should be then I realised it was Mars!

The seeing and transparency was improving all the time so set up the scope and while it was cooling checked what was up and where - lots to choose from. Went back out and just gazed in amazement as I could make at the milky way, well worth waiting for ! Had a peek at Mars, then moved onto the Hyades - very good view . By now Orion had cleared the trees so hunted down M42 - found it alot easier this time and the view in the 20mm Meade 5000 was superb. noticed more detail as well - it was more feathery this time. changed to 9mm - now this was amazing - i managed to resolve the E star in the trapezium. Observed that for a good 20 minutes, then spotted what to me looked like a star surrounded by vague nebulosity above M42 . Scanning up and down spotted another small group - i counted 3 stars - below M42 with faint nebulosity, and below that a small open cluster.

Just before packing up had quick look at sirius through the bins - nice flickering effect red , blue and to my eyes green - should be renamed the disco star.

So what started off as quick scan with bins turned into a 3 hr session with very satisfying results!!

forgot to take the star charts out ,so being checking up and seems I saw NGC 1980, 1977 and 1981 all first obs so I'm well chuffed.

[robneath]

delete this thread pleae mods - ill stick to blog in future

[Doc]

Why do you want to put this to a blog for?

Orion is a fantastic constellation to look at, it contain so many fantastic objects. While looking at m42 did you detect any colour through your scope?

Well done on seeing E star. have you ever seen the F star, just wondering iif you have enough magnificationn with your 9mm eyepiece.

Anyway great read.

[robneath]

Well i get a bit enthusiaatic to the point of going OTT sometimes. Agree Orion is great still lots to explore. The 9mm probably wont cut it for the F, so either I have to barlow which might work or get a 6mm.

[Talitha]

Rob, thanks for sharing your eyepiece with us, and congratulations on getting the E star! And please don't hide your reports in a blog, ok? Your enthusiasm is refreshing.

[wulfrunian]

I find that reading others' observing reports is really inspiring so please keep posting them here! I haven't usually got your stamina, so it's great to hear about the sights that you've spotted that will be on the way in the evening in a few weeks' time.

I do have to say though that I'm extremely jealous of anyone who can see the Milky Way from their back garden, good for you!

[Taff]

Nice Write up Rob' sounds like you had a great time after all.Mark

[iamjulian]

I agree, keep posting here Rob! May I ask how long you find it takes your 150PL to cool? Just wondered. There are lots of great reports of M42 now, but I still haven't stayed up late enough yet. Hats off to you all. I may have to have a look at the Hyades too, thanks for the tip.

[robneath]

I agree, keep posting here Rob! May I ask how long you find it takes your 150PL to cool? Just wondered. There are lots of great reports of M42 now, but I still haven't stayed up late enough yet. Hats off to you all. I may have to have a look at the Hyades too, thanks for the tip.

My 150PL takes about an hour to cool, but it semed to settle quicker on Sunday night

[dobserver]

I agree that you should keep posting reports here - I love to hear how others have got on and gain inspiration about other objects I may not have seen yet. Please keep em coming!

Steph