A real Grab and Go NGC 2169 in Orion

[John Baars]

Chasing clouds along the firmament. Occasional rain and wet snow. Nobody expects a decent observation then right?


And yet, when at 11 p.m. local time I habitually looked out through the curtains I saw a totally opened sky. Heavy cloud formations on the horizon. But before those would be here......?

Like lightning shoes, coat on, pencil and paper stuffed in my coat pocket and my Grab and Go Maksutov out the door. Hadn't I seen a nice photo and description of NGC 2169 in Sky&Telescope? A small open cluster in Orion, readily visible in binoculars. Orion was already patiently waiting for me. A quick look with the binoculars: "Oh yes, that's where I need to be." Quickly the reddot finder to Betelgeuze, then the 18.5X50 viewfinder. Hop, hop. . It was already unmistakable in the viewfinder.

Edited viewfinder image from Stellarium. Do you see him?

Then main telescope! Hadn't I seen that one before? In retrospect, it turned out that way, but I didn't recognize it easily. I forced myself to handle paper and pencil with some composure. When I had the fourteen most important stars, I relaxed a bit.

Final Sketch


Time to wander over to the big boy there, the great Orion Nebula.
Moving up to the Objects of the Month? No, no, thick clouds. Just a quick look at M45 with the 10X30 stabilized binoculars was still afforded me. Was I crazy or did I just see nebula hanging around it? Nice research project for next time.

Pingggg... cold drop on my head. Ping...ping, ping.Oops wet snow there. My wife marveled at how quickly I got back inside. "Rain and snow." , I replied. But still nice that I got him. That's what they really call Grab and Go. Relaxing is something else.


For sketchers interested in the raw material:

First one ( top left) at the telescope, magnitudes filled in later.
Second one ( top right) right after coming into the house.
Third one (bottom) final analogue sketch. Computerized version is above.

[Bigzmey]

Nice quick session and sketch tutorial John! Common wisdom is that Maks are not optimal for open clusters, but rules are made to be broken.

[Makuser]

Hello John. A very nice observing report with the short time allotted to you by the weather. And very nice sketches of NGC 2169 too, considering how cold you were getting the notes and data. Thanks for sharing this report with us John and I hope that you get another and even better observing opportunity again soon.

[Lady Fraktor]

A great report John. It is amazing how quickly a person can pack things when the snow/ rain starts.

[John Baars]

Hello John. A very nice observing report with the short time allotted to you by the weather. And very nice sketches of NGC 2169 too, considering how cold you were getting the notes and data. Thanks for sharing this report with us John and I hope that you get another and even better observing opportunity again soon.

Thanks, I'll do my best!

A great report John. It is amazing how quickly a person can pack things when the snow/ rain starts.

Thank you. Well yes, it took me 30 seconds to come in!

Nice quick session and sketch tutorial John! Common wisdom is that Maks are not optimal for open clusters, but rules are made to be broken.

Thanks for your kind remarks.
I'm glad this telescope is not wise enough for that wisdom, he never heard of that rule.

[helicon]

Great report John on the grab-n-go session and congrats on winning the VROD for today!

[John Baars]

Thanks for the VROD!

[Butterfly Maiden]

Congratulations on receiving the VROD John.

[Thefatkitty]

Congrats on the VROD John, well deserved! You had a nice session there it seems, quick as it was... I admire your speed on bringing it all back in too!

Very nice sketches and report; NGC 2169. I'll have to take a look for this, thank you

All the best,

[Unitron48]

Great report and sketches, John! Congrats on your VROD award!!

Dave