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Observations in Puppis - Part 1
OBSERVATIONS IN PUPPIS – Part 1
18-1-2010
30cm DOBSONIAN
Seeing: 3.5 / 5
Transparency: 4 / 5
Dew: Moderate, but increased with time and fogged the Telrad!
Time: 9 – 11.15pm (approx)
Sizes, magnitudes etc from Deep Sky Browser (Messier 45.com)
NGC 2451 – 7h 45.4m - -37.48 – Size: 45’ – Mag: 2.8
This is a large and bright cluster in a nice field, easily filling the field of the Nagler 22. Prominent is the bright orange star c Puppis, contrasting beautifully with the rest of the cluster.
NGC 2477 - 7h 52.3 - -38.33 – Size 27’ – Mag. 5.8
This cluster is smaller and fainter than 2451, but very attractive. The stars are quite numerous and seem to be in curved arrangements with dark gaps between. The central half of the group is somewhat denser in concentration. Looks a bit like a diffuse globular.
NGC 2546 – 8h 12.4 - -37.38 – Size: 40’ – Mag: 6.3
This is another large group that more than fills the field of the Nagler 22. The stars are rather scattered and there is no sign of any concentration towards the centre. Prominent group of stars in a strip at one edge.
NGC 2437 (M46) - 7h 41.43 - -14.48 – Size 27’ – Mag: 6.1
Beautiful cluster, somewhat concentrated towards centre. The stars seem to be fairly uniform in brightness, but it is difficult to determine the edges, as it seems to merge with the rest of the star field.
NGC 2438 - 7h 41.5 - -14.44 – Size: 73”x68” Mag: 11
Grey (slightly bluish) round planetary nebula projected onto NGC 2437 cluster. Higher power with averted vision revealed the PN was somewhat ring-shaped (annular is probably a better description) with brighter edges. There is a star visible just off the centre (probably not the origin of the nebula) and another one just off the edge. Both OC and PN make a very nice combination. UHC filter helped viewing PN somewhat, O-III would probably be better still.
NGC 2467 OC – 7h 52.6 - 26.23 – Size 15’ –
Bright Neb – 7h 52.05 - -26.27 – Size: 8’ x 7
The same NGC number seems to be applied to both the emission nebula and cluster, which is a nice object itself. The nebula is bright and seems round in shape with at least one bright star towards the centre. The UHC filter helped improve the view. I know there is more to see here, as reports place quite a few faint stars on the nebula, but I'm not reporting things I don't see. Definitely having another look.
NGC 2447 7h 44.32 - -23.51 – Size: 12’ – Mag: 6.2
This cluster is a bright, dense and compact group, a bit triangular in shape - very nice field.
NGC 2422 (M47) – 7h 36.33 - -14.30 – Size: 29’ – Mag: 4.4
Very beautiful field of scattered white stars, including a rather spectacular white double star. Many stars seem to be in chains. Large cluster needs low power. Impressive sight with a bright orange star nearby.
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