2023-12-15

• Condition: VG5
• Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

7:15PM

• Target: M 31, Andromeda Galaxy[1]
• Const: Andromeda
• RaDec: 00h42m +41°16
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x

• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x

• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x

=> [1] M 31, Andromeda Galaxy (ID)

8:55PM

• Target: M 42, Orion Nebula[1]
• Const: Orion
• RaDec: 05h35m -05°23
• Type: Diffuse Nebula
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, Orion Ultrablock

Now that Orion was well over the horizon, I went out to view the Orion Nebula for the first time in a while. This time I was able to use my Ultrablock filter. I feel like the Ultrablock helps expand the size of the nebula out a bit, and I feel I was able to get a little more definition in the structure.

=> [1] M 42, Orion Nebula (ID)

9:09PM

• Target: NGC 281, PacMan Nebula[1]
• Const: Cassiopeia
• RaDec: 00h52m +56°33
• Type: Nebula
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, Orion Ultrablock, AV
• Image: ../images/2023-12-15_NGC281.jpg[2]

The Ultrablock filter seems like it could be a requirement. I wasn't able to discern much (hardly a detection) without it. With the filter, the nebula still takes a decent amount of AV before it materializes, once it does, the view of it is pretty good. I can make out the "mouth" of Pacman. There are a few stars coming out of the mouth in a straight line which look like the "dots" that Pacman eats.

=> [1] NGC 281, PacMan Nebula (ID) | [2] ../images/2023-12-15_NGC281.jpg

9:28PM

• Target: NGC 7635, Bubble Nebula[1]
• Const: Cassiopeia
• RaDec: 23h20m +61°12
• Type: Nebula
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x, Orion Ultrablock, AV
• Image: ../images/2023-12-15_NGC7635.jpg[2]

A bit difficult. Prolonged AV would allow a circular shape to pop in and out of view.

=> [1] NGC 7635, Bubble Nebula (ID) | [2] ../images/2023-12-15_NGC7635.jpg

9:39PM

• Target: NGC 457, ET Cluster[1]
• Const: Cassiopeia
• RaDec: 01h19m +58°16
• Type: Open Cluster[2]
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x
• Image: ../images/2023-12-15_NGC457.jpg[3]

Cool cluster! Has distinct shape with three "branches" of stars forming the shape of a triangle.

=> [1] NGC 457, ET Cluster (ID) | [2] Open Cluster (ID) | [3] ../images/2023-12-15_NGC457.jpg

9:46PM

• Target: NGC 663, Collinder 20[1]
• Const: Cassiopeia
• RaDec: 01h46m +61°12
• Type: Open Cluster[2]
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 55x
• Image: ../images/2023-12-15_NGC663.jpg[3]

Once I set my eyes on the target, only a few of the brightest stars were apparent. In a matter of 5-10 seconds, some of the smaller stars gradually came into view in unison. Almost as if someone slowly turned up a dimmer switch.

=> [1] NGC 663, Collinder 20 (ID) | [2] Open Cluster (ID) | [3] ../images/2023-12-15_NGC663.jpg