M45 the Pliedes

[Skywatcher]

First 'guided' stab at this but the night was a distaster the camera wouldn't work the mount kept sinking in the quagmire that out back garden is at the moment and then all the lenses dewed up - basically 3 hours of fiddling for 2 lousy subframes when I really was aiming for about 20!!

This is a lovely open cluster in taurus and easily seen with the naked eye just above the Bulls horns looks like a mini 'plough' shape - these are new hot stars that are lighting up the gas around them - this is the cloudiness and is referred to as a reflection nebula as the gas is not producing the light.

I'm sure you will be kind but I am far from happy with it.

I hope the camera problem isn't terminal - but I was a grumpy bunny at 1 am

[Hex]

As they say: if at first you don't succeed, try, try again...

It's a good starting point! I was out looking at that one last night... it's one of my favorites i have found so far. Also looking at Orion's "fuzzy bits"... M42 - The Orion Nebula - cool!

Was not crazy enough to be out till too late though...

[Skywatcher]

ooo did Dawn get to look at the fuzzy bits as well?

[Hex]

nah... she was hiding inside in the warmth

[Skywatcher]

Did you see any detail in it at all? I find it takes wuite a while at the eyepeice before anthing 'pops out at you'

Many congratulations by the way you are making pretty speedy progress sir!

[Hex]

The Pleiades i can see quite well (not the blue nebulosity though). The Orion Nebula is a bit too dim for me to see on the higher magnifications. On the lower magnification (aprox x70 with a barlow lens) i can make out the cluster of a few of the brighter stars in the nebula with a hint of the nebula cloud around them. Good enough for me

[Skywatcher]

lowest possible mag is the best - wouldn't use the barlow TBH - the thing to look for are the 4 hot stars inthe heart the trapezium

[Britchick]

it was lovely and clear at 1.30 this morning, would have been a great time to get the scope out but sadly neither of us was in a fit state i think they're great pictures Chris

[Dawn]

That's the trouble I have. I struggle to keep my eyes open after 10pm.

[Britchick]

i think i'm a summer astronomer too