April Challenges - my observations

[kt4hx]

I have observed both challenges numerous times over the years, and would like to share my impressions if I may.

Starting with Messier 44 (NGC 2632) in Cancer, I have observed it countless times over the decades. Seen with optics ranging from my naked eyes all the way up to 17.5 inches, and from suburban to dark rural skies, it is best suited to binoculars and small wide field scopes. Seen in proper perspective it is a beautifully rich cluster in small apertures at low to mid magnifications. At increasing magnification and aperture it starts to lose its character as it becomes widely dispersed. An interesting aside to this object for those with larger apertures and access to darker skies are the numerous background galaxies that swim between its stars. They are a difficult challenge and add a unique hidden layer to the cluster's character.

Being a northern observer all my life, with only periodic short-term access to more southern latititudes, NGC 3372 (Eta Carinae Nebula) holds a special place in my observing experiences. I have seen it from various locations located both north and south of the equator using instruments ranging from the naked eye to a 5 inch refractor. It has never disappointed and in fact is my all-time favorite nebula complex. That I find it more compelling than the amazing Messier 42 (Orion Nebula) is a testament to its visual beauty. Below I have quoted from one of my observations of this splendid object from a suburban observing site just south of the equator utilizing my ED80 refractor on an evening of particularly good transparency:

Then suddenly the sky threw me a bone! I noticed a more sizeable hole opening up around and above the tree that enjoys hiding part of my southern view. So I grabbed the 10x50s and scanned around. I found that NGC 3372, the Eta Carinae Nebula had cleared a couple of branches, so I quickly aimed the ED80 based on which limb it was lying off of. In short order I nailed down this wonder of the southern sky. With 26x it was a large and obvious elongated haze surrounding myriad stars and clusters in the field of view. It was easy to see, but not visually robust given my LP and general yuckiness of the sky.

So I reached into the case and pulled out my O-III filter. After screwing that into the bottom of the ES 82 18mm, I refocused, then wow-wee and man oh man! Now that was a crackerjack view if ever there was one. It was no longer merely an elongated somewhat subtle glow, but a large and intensely bright structure that expanded in all directions. There were bright knots of concentrated light, as well as prominent dark lanes slicing up the nebula. Little fingers of dark obscuring matter were etched into the nebulosity at various points giving it a somewhat mottled or curdled view, with an almost 3-D like appearance at times. My true field of view with this scope/eyepiece combo is 3.2° and the nebula took up a sizeable portion of that. It seemed to my eye that the transparency was a little better than I was expecting in that direction, and I was rewarded with a stunning visual of this outstanding nebula complex. I was also reminded of why, as much as I like M42, NGC 3372 is my favorite nebula in the sky.

[Juno16]

Wow, what a fine report Alan! Excellent report on the Eta Carinae!

[NGC 1365]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and observations Alan.

[BABOafrica]

Thanks for that explanation. I have an O3 visual filter but never thought of using for viewing this nebula. I'll have to try that one of these days.

And I agree with you on the comparison between M42 & NGC 3372. I like to think of NGC 3372 as the "Orion Nebula of the SH".\

BABO

[Peter802]

Alan.
Great post as always.
Thank you for a fine and readable report.
Best regards.