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(IAAC) Obj: M42 (Great Nebula in Orion) - Inst: 12.5" Binocular Newtonian
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Observer: Dan Duriscoe
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: 1/19/01 10:27:00 PM PST
Location of site: Pinehurst, CA (Lat 36.7 N, Elev 4000')
Site classification: Rural
Sky darkness: 6.3 <Limiting magnitude>
Seeing: III <I-V Seeing Scale (I best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 12.5" Binocular Newtonian
Magnification: 100x
Filter(s): None.
Object(s): M42 (Great Nebula in Orion)
Category: Emission nebula.
Class:
Constellation: ORI
Data: mag size
Position: RA : DEC :
Description:
Spectacular, better than ever seen, colors greenish-blue center, definite
reddish hue in M43 and in arms extending Southwest from the central core.
Detail in Fish's Mouth incl dark lanes and streamers extending from main body
of nebula. Trapezium 5 stars easily seen, 6th intermittent at 100x, brightest
star yellowish. Curving arm to Southeast shows considerable detail, wisps
extending Southward from the central core 30' South, a group of 3 or 4 stars
20' south of Trap., with associated brighter patch of nebulosity. A little
more than midway between Theta2 and Iota. West of Trap. a tremendous array of
filaments and bright and dark areas, sweeping arm extending Westward cut off
to the North by a dark zone, South of that numerous arcs and curves of
filamentary structure is seen. A large arc of nebulosity, 35-40' South of
Trap., is easily seen tonight, having considerable width, Southern edge
diffuse, Northern margin quite sharp, particularly in certain locations.
Easily studied in detail.
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Red color is seen best at a glance or first impression; when parts appearing
red are stared at, the color disappears. Look away, then look back and the
red "impression" is made again. Detail in central core somewhat blurred by
intermittent poor seeing, but akin to Burnham's "mackeral sky", bluish clouds
swirling or boiling, with Trapezium embedded, 3-dimensional illusion shows
stars in foreground. The variations in brightness of all these features is
the incredible uniqueness of the Orion Nebula - color is a bonus.
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