Thanks fellows for your replies,
Marc, it didn't occur to me to do an 'image' search of the Trap.
But I'm glad I didn't. The collection of images presented here has been been a better learning experience for me. A search for images would not have given me this!
One thing I have learned from this is how challenging the Trapezium is to both image and resolve visually. In common to both is how small the cluster is, and how overwhelming the Trap. A, B, C & D are, particularly for imaging. For visual, if the aperture is big enough to be able to see the smaller members, it all depends on exceptional seeing conditions, which is very rare.
I am now very much aware of how special conditions were that night I saw all those Trap. stars, and from my home in Sydney.
That Hubble image is staggering that it shows the erosion shadows behind the smaller stars. The solar system building material around those stars is being blasted way.
Dennis, thanks for the wider field image. Yes, I can sometimes focus too much on the Trapezium itself. There are other stars in the FOV.
If you have other contributions, please add them.
Alex.
