Location: Home
Date: 2022-04-05
Time: 8:50 PM ADT
Instrument: 10" Meade SCT, 40 mm Plössl
Magnification: x63
Transparency: Excellent (1)
Seeing: Excellent (1)
Temperature: 5º C
SQM: 19.52
No wind or clouds.
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Constellation: Auriga I was visually observing Messier objects and Jerry was imaging DSOs. I slewed the scope "up" from Elnath in Auriga, just west of the line formed between Elnath and θ Auriga. I had used the same technique in a 2018 observation. M37 was seen as a very open cluster. Couldn't determine a pattern or shape other than the curve of stairs in the SE. |
NOTE: I had observed M37 for the first time four years ago, and have looked at it with binoculars many times since.
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Date: 2018-05-18 Now that I knew M37 is an open cluster (not a globular one as I had assumed 4 nights before), I hoped to have a better chance of finding it just west of the line formed between Elnath and θ Auriga. It was very loose with a bright central star and 5 other bright stars. The haziness near the horizon made for difficulty in seeing more stars of the cluster. I used my binoculars and after a few tries I found it! I drew it as I saw it. Jerry then used our SCT* to confirm it was what I saw.
* At this time, the SCT was not on motorized mount. We jokingly referred to it as the "push-to SCT." |
