Sh2-280, Sh2-282, Sh2-284, Sh2-264 through the binoculars, 23rd January 2020

[j.gardavsky]

Hello friends,

getting started with the 10,5x70 binoculars at the Double Cluster and St2, I moved then straight towards south through the Tr2 and Alpha Persei Moving Group (Mel 20), and then to stay for a while in Auriga.

Mel 31 area:
To its west the Flaming Star Nebula IC 405 (Sh2-229) has shown through the 15x85 a glow around the Flaming Star, and to the east the bright Tadpoles Nebula IC 410 (Sh2-236) with the open cluster NGC 1893.
A bright condensed glow of the Spider Nebula IC 417 (Sh2-234) has been the third EN in Auriga, among those easy ones.

A fast move through the M38, M36, M37 to M 35 in Gemini, again with the 10.5x70 binoculars.

The first stop in Monoceros: The X-Mas Cluster NGC 2264 with a bright condensed glow through the 15x85 with the Baader blue(RGB)CCD filters to increase the contrast.
Keeping the filters on the 15x85, the next has been the Rosette Nebula NGC 2237 (Sh2-275): A very extended and bright glow. Not much fainter has been the Sh2-284, but a much smaller nebula south off the Rosette.

And now, I wanted to revisit the objects I have observed the last time in Silvaplana (Swiss Alps) through the 82mm Leica APO Televid,
but this time with the 15x85 binoculars.
Sh2-280 has revealed a faint band aligned N-S.
The final object in this group of the ENs with increasing challenge, has been Sh2-284 very faint extended glow, west off the NGC 2301 open cluster and a pattern of stars with the SO 157.
Just before making a longer break, I came across the sparse open cluster NGC 2232 with its bright stars.

After a short revisit to the M41, M93, M47, M46 open clusters deep above the horizon,
I have moved with the 15x85 to the constellation of Orion.
The M42 and M43 have shown some details, and the Running Man Nebula NGC 1977 (Sh2-279) has been comfortably bright.
Much fainter has been the Flame Nebula NGC 2024 and the IC 434.

The last object on my to do list has been the large Lambda Orionis Nebula Sh2-264 around the sparse cluster Cr 69. The best view have offered the 10.5x70 binoculars. The NW part of this nebula has been also seen with unaided eyes, but difficult to keep.

The rest of the observing session has been picking some DSOs cherries here and there, just besides my observing program.

Place: Lillinghof airfield, 540m above sea level, (nominally Bortle 3)
Date and time: 23rd January 2020, 19:30 - 23:00 local time
Observing conditions: NELM checked in Auriga: 6mag
Oureach with the members of our Erlanger Astronomy Group

Thank you for reading, and clear skies,
JG

[Lady Fraktor]

A very nice report JG, glad you could enjoy some time viewing.

[notFritzArgelander]

A lovely evening out!

[Makuser]

Hello JG. It's great to see a new binoculars observing report from you. This is a nice collection of excellent targets, including several Sharpless objects. Thanks for your comprehensive and informative list JG, and it is good to have you back here on TSS.

[Don Quixote]

Thank you JG.
I have enjoyed here in my leather recliner on this sunny Sunday afternoon to read your fine observing report.
I am looking forward to stepping out this evening with my binoculars.
Peace and clear skies to you.

[John Baars]

Very good observations JG.
I have made a special list of objects on a notepad, I named it JG's voyage of discovery. It contains must-see objects when I am in a dark location. I must admit: it is growing. Sometimes I can mark one as "seen". And every time I read your reports I feel the observational blood tickling in my veins.
One might say you opened the eyes of the telescopists for the large nebulae, the veils. The discovery of the universe with the large exitpupils and the filters. At least that's what happened to me. Thanks for that and for this great report!

[helicon]

Sounds like a wonderful evening JG, with some excellent catches. The Tadpole and Flaming Star are nice targets to see through the binos. The Flame is invisible from home but pretty easy under dark skies, and if you can see it as you have done go for IC 434 and the Horsehead, which I have glimpsed once through the 15x70's at a pristine dark site with excellent seeing (about 2.5 years ago now). Thanks for the informative and inspiring post.

[bladekeeper]

A very nice evening, JG!

[j.gardavsky]

My thanks to all responding friends!

John,
I grew up with the binoculars, and still loving the binocular astronomy.

Clear skies,
JG

[kt4hx]

Another of your excellent binocular tours JG, very well done my friend.

[Bigzmey]

Nice plethora of open clusters JG! Lately I have been thinking of binocular session but the sky is not cooperating.