Observation 15: Crab nebula, M42

 19:05

Temp: 47f

Sky: Clear.

Observations:

Jupiter and Saturn are still passing very closely together in their great conjunction. I can still clearly see them both in the same field of view through a 25mm lens. I used my new 12.5 and 6mm Plossl lenses to see the planets in finer detail, but with them being close to the horizon there was a fair amount of distortion. 

After the planets set, I pointed at Aldebaran and calibrated the scope. Pivoted to the coordinates of the Crab nebula, and I can see a smudge; this is likely the nebula itself, though it could be some sort of artifact or some sort of cognitive distortion caused by my desire to see the nebula. 

Betelgeuse is next on the list. Bright yellow, she is brilliant this evening. Application of some color filters changes the character of the star - good viewing of this orb tonight.

The animals are going insane - rabbits are thumping, the chickens are calling, and the astronomy cat sprinted away. Is there an owl about, or some sort of other predator? Is there a noise I can't hear? Or is the uncommonly cold air just making them nervous? Animals are often easy to read, but right this minute they're pretty inscrutable. Regardless, it is cold and time for a cocoa break.

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22:30 

Back outside. Orion is high in the sky. I've aimed the telescope at Orion's sword and panned until I can see M42, the Orion nebula. Even through my small scope, this is a beautiful nebula; playing with my color filters changes the character of the nebula each time, and is a fun way to familiarize myself with the filters and their purposes. 

After some prolonged viewing of this object, I moved the scope Southeast and focused on Sirius for a while. Usually I have gone inside by the time Sirius rises here, but tonight I wanted to see different stars - and boy did I. Sirius is bright as heck in the night sky - hard to miss it. 

At this hour, Castor and Pollux have risen above the oak tree that usually obscures them from my observation point. A Gemini myself, it is fun to see the constellation assigned to my birth. I did see one meteor, but nothing else of interest. The temperature has dropped into the 30s and for now, observations have been abandoned.