Orion Nebula

[risingmoon (Sandra)]

Yes I did see the Great Orion Nebula (M42). Thats what it was alright.
I did download the Stellarium and so glad I did.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

YES.
As I said in your original original post, it sounded like Orion Nebula. M42
And yes a wonderful sight.
the second nebula in the same area was probably M43 (also in Orion)
And the moving star would almost certainly have been a satellite.
There are many criss crossing the sky, and what we see is their reflection of the Sun (as is the light" we see from all of the planets - and moons).
Still looking forward to seeing you at the Pony Club when your foot is better.

Other easy wonderful sights you may want to try (all in the south):
The Jewell box (coloured cluster, just to the bottom of Beta Crux (southern cross)
Eta Carina (bright nebula, half way between The Southern Cross and the "False Cross"
Tuc 47 brilliant cluster on the lower right edge of the SMC (Small Magellenic Cloud)
Tarrantula Nebula, top right edge of the LMC (Large Magellenic Cloud)
Omega Centauri (large cluster about two Crux diameters to the left and up a bit of the Pointers


Happy Exploring

[Liz]

Great to hear Sandara, a bful sight too!!

Yes, Stellarium is fabulous - have a play with it, lots to cange o make viewing easier. When you open it, go to the L side to open Sky and Viewing options, and click Markings at top, then lines and labels.

Check out the great targets that Allan has said, and also check out the Pleiades - super easy to find.

[risingmoon (Sandra)]

Thanks for all that Allen. It will keep me going for a while. The world out there is very enlightening.

[risingmoon (Sandra)]

Sure is Liz. I had a good play on it last night.

[k16charger]

I failed to find m42..

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by k16charger

I failed to find m42..

Keep at it. It's fairly easy.

Once you do find it you'll find it easy every time

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

The easiest way is look for the "POT " shape , the bottom of the pot's base is Orion's belt and the 3 stars that make up the pot's handle are Orions sword, Look closely as the middle star of the 3 that make up the ' Handle / sword ' and that is M42 , it looks like a faint fuzzy star to the naked eye, because it is not a star but the great M42 .
One more thing , from down here in the south Orion is running upside down , as all constalations are orientated that way because most were all created by northern astronomers , except our own few that are only visible down here , eg. Crux , Centarus, Hydra and many others not visable from thge north.
Hope this helps , but most of all enjoy , it'l knock you sox off when you first see it , trust me .
Brian.

Originally Posted by k16charger

I failed to find m42..