Cheshire Cat Asterism

[oceanheadted]

I saw this in mentioned this month's S@N magazine. It's in Auriga and one end of the mouth is M38. Went out to look for it last night and found it really easily using a zeiss dialyt 8x30s. It's a big smiley face!!

NYC Nova Hunter: Asterism in Auriga: Cheshire Cat

cheers

Alan

[yeti monster]

I shall have a look for the smiley face next clear night.

[jgs001]

Nice one Alan. It's a wonderful sight in a pair of Binos. Once you've found it it's easy, finding it the first time however.

[oceanheadted]

I was lucky enough to find it within 30 seconds of pointing my bins at the sky, but I already knew roughly where M38 was! That's one of the great things about a low power pair of binoculars, they cover so much sky!

[fmeireso]

Found it, took me about 5 seconds....but i do happen to know very well were M38 is. Numerous times i saw M38 but my brain never formed that asterism. Once you see it it actually very obvious!

I saw in my 10x60 (wich is more a 10x53) but better in my 15x70. Transparancy is not good tonight (very cold too)

Nice asterism

Notice also Mel31, people, just right of it, about 6 bright stars. Easy, also in small binoculars. Well, Mel 31 more then those 6 bright ones but those just jump out.

And just under Mel 31 you have NGC 1893, probably better seen in bigger bino's on evenings with good transparency.

So there you have it, about right M38, in the middle the Cheshire cat and right Mel 31!

[yeti monster]

I found it straight off, on its side so had to twist my neck to see the smile. 2 weeks ago I'd have been struggling to identify Auriga, so I certainly learning my way around up there.

[Talitha]

That big smileyface always reminds me of my son when he was little. He was out playing and lost his front tooth (natural, not an accident) and came inside grinning ear to ear, knowing the Tooth Fairy would be visiting that night. The smileyface even has a patch of dirt on its cheek. :)

[fmeireso]

That's a very nice sketch, Carol.

[george7378]

That looks fun to find - I'll have to try with my lowest power eyepiece which gives a pretty wide field of view. I wonder what will be found next. I'd like to find a 'g' for my name.

[Talitha]

That's a very nice sketch, Carol.

Thank you!

[oceanheadted]

Carol,

thanks for putting up the sketch, it's great!

Alan

[Talitha]

Carol,

thanks for putting up the sketch, it's great!

Alan

You're welcome, and thank you!

[dark knight]

Thanks for the info, Carol another fab sketch, keep it up foks...