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(IAAC) Obj: M37 - Inst: Newt 4.2" f/4.25




Observer: Lew Gramer
Your skills: Intermediate
Date and UT of Observation: 1996-1-8/9, 23:30 UT
Location: Sheepsfold, Stoneham, MA, USA (42N)
Site classification: semiurban
Limiting magnitude: 5.7
Seeing: 3 - medium
Moon up: no
Instrument: Newt Reflector 4.2" f/4.25 (AstroScan)
Magnification: 20x, 65x
Filters used: None
Object: M37
Category: Open cluster
Constellation: Aur
Data: mag 5.6  size 24'
RA/DE: 05h52m  +32o33m
Description:
Easily found by sweeping at 20x from Theta Aur. At this low
power, the cluster showed intermittent glistening "hints" of
resolution, with one bright (m=8) star very near the apparent
center, and another group of three mag=8-9 stars 10' N. At
65x, the cluster was suddenly alive with resolved stars. It
nicely filled the W half of the 45' field of view, with some
35 stars mags 8 to 12 arrayed amid a haze of still more un-
resolved stars. Clumps could be observed in the haze, with
particular brightenings to the N and W. At the higher power,
a touch of yellow hue could also be seen in the central star.

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Karen Simmons & Lew Gramer dedalus@alum.mit.edu http://www.tiac.net/users/lewkaren
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