i found it...

[Pollux]

:DM42...

Just a newbie so go easy please!

8" Newt F1000 2xBarlow ...various eyepieces

could see 3 stars 'in a row' believe it's called the Trapezium?

4 stars in a circle in the middle of the 'cloud' effect

put a UHC filter on (i think) which seemed to bring out a lot more definition and colouring to the 'cloud'

best view i got was using a wide angled 25mm eyepiece with the 2xBarlow and the filter - beautiful, i did up the mag quite considerably, but lost the overall 'effect'

Apologies for my lack of terminology

STUNNING!!!!

...Mark

ps do you get used to the upside downness???

[Doc]

The 4 stars are the Trapezium, there is actually alot more then that but they are bery hard to see. They lie amoung a nebula called the M42 which is that large cloud you described. The three stars in a row sounds like Orions belt and the M42 lies within Orions sword which hangs from the belt.

I'm glad you enjoyed it and there's loads more for you to view.

[Pollux]

:)Thanks for putting me straight Doc:), of course, yes now I see!

It's this upside down thing that was throwing me - the 3 stars were definitely the 'sword' dangling 'down' from the belt - which is actually 'up' in the E.P.

Thanks again...:(I'll get there!

Loved it anyways...

...M

[pvaz]

That's definitely the wow DSO up there! I also felt the same way when I soo it for the 1st time a couple of months ago.

[Taff]

Hi Mark' i have a same scope.I agree it is a great veiw looking at M42 with the neb around the young stars.Mark

[Talitha]

That's great, Mark! You're absolutely right, a wide view is best for M42. Use averted vision, too. You can catch more of the outer wispiness that way. Btw, move to Australia and it won't be upside down anymore.

(getting my coat )