-Scope: Edu-Sci 50mm refractor
Messier 41 - Canis Major
After a heavy downpour this evening, the sky cleared up enough for me to spot this easy object, M41 in Canis Major,
and very near to the star, Sirius.
This is a loosely packed open cluster, very easy for small scopes, a beautiful object you would love to show off to your
grandma. If you are lucky to be staying in a dark site and with good eyesight, you may be able to spot this with your naked
eyes. Sir John Herschel described it as a "coarse collection of stars".
Messier 47 - Puppis
This is another loosely packed 'coarse' open cluster, it doesn't appears to be as impressive as M41 with my telescope. This cluster can be partially resolved with a pair of binoculars.
I didn't have the opportunity to take a second look before the clouds moved in..
16 Nov 2010
Had a second view of M47 again tonight, condition is slightly hazy with
temp at 26 degree celsius. Relatively few stars observable and not
exactly an impressive object with a 50mm scope.
I like a lot your project. I consider myself an Amateur Astronomer, I have a 70mm refractor and my personal favorite is M52. What I would like to ask you is how you find the objects? meaning, how do you set the altidude on you refractor? The direction I use my compass or my cellphone but the altitude is what I find more complicated since I don't have a way to measure the inclination of my telescope and find the object, any help would be appreciated, best regard.
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