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Old 21-01-2018, 05:53 AM
astro744
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,244
The middle 'star' in the handle of the saucepan is M42, The Great Orion Nebula. It's also visible unaided. Officially it's the middle 'star' in the sword of Orion. The three stars are the belt of Orion. Either side of Orion (top and bottom when in the east) is Rigel (blueish white) at top and Betelgeuse (reddish orange) at bottom. From Betelgeuse move left toward Aldeberan (orange), part of Taurus (looks like an upside down 'V'. Then move a little more left and slightly down and you will find the Seven Sisters or officially called the Pleiades or M45.

Do all this without binoculars then zoom in on the Pleiades with the binos and see how many you can count. They're are arguably the most beautiful of all star clusters. Enjoy the sky and happy hunting!
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