2023-12-15

7:15PM

[1] M 31, Andromeda Galaxy (ID)

8:55PM

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

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

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

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

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