(IAAC) Obj: NGC 2301 - Inst: Brennweite homemade 12.5 inch F/1 Dobsonian

[anonymous at sedna.atmob.org]

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Observation Poster: Steven H. Yaskell <steven.yaskell at wtnord.net>

Observer: Steven H. Yaskell
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: January 13, 2007, 2015 UT/GMT
Location of site: Stockholm, Sweden (Lat 59:33, Elev 61m/200ft)
Site classification: Suburban
Sky darkness: 3 <Bortle Scale (9 worst)>
Seeing: 9 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: Brennweite homemade 12.5 inch F/1 Dobsonian
Magnification: 40, 80, 158
Filter(s): None
Object(s): NGC 2301
Category: Open cluster.
Class: Class D
Constellation: Monoceros
Data: mag 6-8 mag  size 15´
Position: RA 6hr:c. 50   DEC c. 0 (+) n:
Description:
Steady and good seeing before weather decays at 2100 or so local time.

At x40 I see the entire group in 1/4 of the ocular (25mm). Small, dipper-like 
arrangement running NW-SE of sixteen or so stars (6 or 7 mag: my guess was
7 without first consulting sources). Small, snake-head asterism at extreme 
SE and a little further down, two small pointers with a hint of brightening.
To N of the whole dipper, I see the outline of the remainder of the group, 
probably 10 mag or more, salt and peppered around the galactic equator.

At x80 the dipper fills the entire diameter of ocular (12.5mm). Third star
down in the dipper from NW is a triple. The snake head resolves into at least
20 stars, 8 mag on to 10 or more. The two pointers further down resolve into
a quadruple point. The salt and pepper effect to the N. is profound but my F/1 
catches a lot of light. Beautiful. 

At x158 I study the snake head asterism. At this power the snake head fills the
ocular and I count no more than with a smaller power. The brightening is about
the same. 

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