2022-03-12

• Location: Deadman Spring: 44.23, -103.93

The moon was at 70% tonight, and high in the sky, so attempting clusters was probably foolish, but I did it anyway.

8:00PM

• Target: M 41[1]
• Const: Canis Major
• RaDec: 6h46m -20°46
• Type: Open Cluster[2]
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 32x, AV

M41 was very easy to find and see. Averted vision showed even more stars in the cluster.

[1] M 41 (ID)

[2] Open Cluster (ID)

8:30PM

• Target: M 50[1]
• Const: Monoceros
• RaDec: 7h03m -8°22
• Type: Open Cluster[2]
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 32x

M50 was easy to find, a little harder to see. The brightest stars in the cluster made the shape of Pacman's open mouth, but most of the other stars in the cluster were not visible even with AV.

Clouds rolled in (even though the forecast was clear). I had to give up on M40 and M67 because of it.

[1] M 50 (ID)

[2] Open Cluster (ID)