2/4/09 Observing Log

One final new eyepiece arrived today, a 35mm Orion Ultrascopic (gives 34x with my scope).

Observed these objects tonight:

• M42, M43 (Orion Nebula) - First light through 35mm Orion Ultrascopic. The eyepiece has a huge exit pupil that takes some getting used-to. Very sharp view though.


• Moon - Looked a bit at the half-moon (last quarter) using 35mm, first unfiltered and then through variable moon filter.


• M41 - Nice views through new 35mm. Also tried out 19mm Orion Edge-On and 16mm Orion Edge-On.


• NGC 2360 - First sighting. Could see this by star-hopping from Sirius to Gamma and Iota Canis majoris. Nice view.


• M47 - First sighting. Used 16mm Orion Edge-On and 13mm Orion Stratus.


• M46 - First sighting. Same eyepieces as above.


• NGC 2374 - First sighting. Same eyepieces as above.


• M50 - First sighting. Same eyepieces as above. Nice open cluster.


• M45 - Observed using new 35mm eyepiece. Very sharp views, but washed out a bit from moonlight.


• Saturn - Faint moon to left of rings, much brighter moon farther left.