Sketch of the Seven Sisters 07 Nov 2021

Hello everyone, 

This was my first observational session since the 15th of October 2021. It wasn't for the want of trying though as on two occasions over the past two weeks I had set-up my scope, but cloud would roll in. Keeping a close on eye on Met Eireann today, I could see there would be a clear spell from 20:00UT, and it was to last for an hour. So, I had everything ready to go by 19:30UT.

Prior to my observing session, I spent about 15 minutes with my daughter showing her some of the constellations. It was all naked eye stuff, but we took in Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Taurus and The Seven Sisters. She was intrigued by Seven Sisters, so I decided that I'd give them a go tonight.

The sketch was done at the eyepiece using my 2" 30mm eyepiece. With its 68° AFOV I managed to fit the entire cluster into the 1.63° TFOV.  For the first time I noticed some nebulosity surrounding Alcyone. Needless to say, I was delighted!

In addition, to observing Messier 45, I tried to find Uranus. Unfortunately, the cloud arrived before I could locate it - I did observe Hamal, and Kappa Arietis though. So, all was not lost.

Other details related to sketch include:

Telescope: f/5 250mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonian Base
Magnification: 42X
Seeing: Very Good
Transparency: 3/7
Materials used: Blending stump, a 5B pencil, and the sketch was scanned into GIMP, inverted, and I colourised several stars.

Many thanks for reading the report and taking a look.

As always, comments and feedback are always welcomed.

Clear skies,

Darren.


 

Thank you, Darren, for your exquisite sketch for M 45. 

It's always a real thrill to fit in each of her stars in the same field of view. 

2" eyepieces rule the night. 

Clear skies, 

Aubrey. 

Hello Aubrey,

Very many thanks for your message. I agree: it is a thrill to fit all the stars of M45 in the same FOV; pity I didn't accurately illustrate all of the Seven Sisters though  .

I'll pay more attention next time 

Clear skies,

Darren.