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2024-01-31

Condition: VG6

Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

In contrast to last night, tonight started off windy and turbulent and slowly got better.

8:12PM

Target: SY Eridani

Const: Eridanus

RaDec: 05h09m -05°30

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x

Image

Not far to the SE of Cursa. Very red / orange, with a flame-like appearance.

8:19PM

Target: R Leporis

Const: Lepus

RaDec: 04h59m -14°48

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x

Image

Another flame-like carbon. This one probably has more intensity than the last. Easy find west of μ Leporis.

8:39PM

Target: NGC 1501

Const: Camelopardalis

RaDec: 04h06m +60°55

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x, Ultrablock

Image

Just barely detectable without AV. Appears a bit larger than many other PNs. The Ultrablock filter helped it 'pop', but didn't do much for the size.

9:15PM

Target: M 42, Orion Nebula

Const: Orion

RaDec: 05h35m -05°23

Scope: AT102ED

Setting: 55x, Ultrablock

Image

The night was so beautiful at this point, I wanted a reason to stay out a little longer. I turned the scope to M42 and the view was so sharp and clear that I decided to spontaneously create a nice sketch of what I see (something I want to do more of in the future). I only had my mechanical pencil on me, but took time to admire and capture all the subtle details and layers of the nebula that were evident.

** 2024-02 February