Orion floating in the sky.

[helicon]

I got up at 5:30 this morning. I was amazed to see it was clear, so I hauled out the Z10 for a quick tour of the darker-than-normal skies. Using my S&T Pocket Sky Atlas I decided I wanted to see the Flaming Star Nebula in Auriga. After a couple of minutes orienting the Quikfinder I found it rather easily as a cluster embedded in a hazy glow. I then grabbed M36, M37, and M38. I checked out the Pleiades (no nebulosity evident) and then headed over to zeta Tauri to glimpse M1 the Crab Nebula. It was swept up as a moderately bright patch at 45x. Haven't seen the Crab in a year or so - nice to revisit it.

But the crowning glory was Orion, just clearing my neighbor's oak tree to the West. Since the stars are so bright except the head and shield of the Hunter, there was almost a floating in space effect naked eye. And it was dark enough to see the three faint stars which make up the hero's head and neck. So M42 was the last target before I headed inside for a coffee and to fire up the Forum for the day. Not surprisingly, the view of the Nebula was spectacular with the "wings" at the edges very evident, and a hint of structure around the perimeter of the Trapezium - though no color was evident except for a greyish-green monochrome. Anyway, that's it for my abbreviated report. Thanks for reading.

[messier 111]

nice report , i to love that section of the sky , thx .

[turboscrew]

Nice report.

[KingNothing13]

Nice Michael!

It always makes me sad to see reports about Orion, and well, see it myself, which I did a few nights ago when I took the dog out for her final out of the night at about midnight. Means it is getting cold.

[John Donne]

Great early outing Michael.
I caught Orion rising just ahead of the moon at 1am. Such a grand view. As Orion rises he appears to by reclining. As the hours pass he seems to stand upright.

[helicon]

Yes, that was the view I had!

[Makuser]

Hi Michael. A very nice report with the 10" scope. And you grabbed several nice Messier targets tool. The Pleiades and Orion are always favorites for most folks when we get to this time of year. Thanks for the fine observing report Michael and the best of wishes for many more opportunities again soon.

[Bigzmey]

Nice morning session Michael! Somehow I enjoy seeing Orion more early morning in summer/fall than early evening in winter/spring.

[John Baars]

Every year Orion makes his great majestic Royal return during Autumn. I've seen it quite a few times now, but it's still impressive. As you described it.
Thanks for your nice report.

[Juno16]

Thanks for the nice report Michael!

I like to see Orion anytime! My favorite constellation by far!

So glad that you woke early.

[Thefatkitty]

Nice report Michael! I always start looking for Orion come mid-September in the early morning skies. I've been doing this since I was 5 and my father pointed it out to me. I always look at it as the passage of time, whether it be for a few months or many years...

VROD report for sure

Thanks for sharing that and all the best,

[John Donne]

I thought the same thing !
VROD yes !

[helicon]

Based on the recommendations this piece was selected as the VROD, Thanks everybody!

[John Baars]

Of course a VROD!!
Congratulations on it!

[Unitron48]

Nice early morning session! I'm normally watching meteor showers at that time!! Congrats on the VROD!!

Dave