Sketch of Messier 42

Dear All,

This report is from tonight's (17/01/2020) 'meet-up' session at the Sugar Loaf. Orion looked magnificent under the Bortle 5 sky, so I attempted to sketch M42. This is my first attempt to sketch this DSO. Along with M43, the trapezium was easily observed at 133X. The Great Orion Nebula was clearly visible through the eyepiece, but I found it difficult to see more of the finer 'wispy' elements of it - I'm sure that will come with experience. That being said, there was strong contrast between the 'c'-shaped curve of the nebula and the dark night sky. Using averted vision, I could detect a mottled pattern surrounding the trapezium too. Interestingly, I believe I may have detected some colour in two of the trapezium stars (see sketch) - could this be right though? I spent 20 minutes sketching the object, and approximately 10 minutes at home using GIMP 2.0 to invert, and to crop the image. Further details can be found below.

Object: M42
Date: 17/01/2019
Location: The Great Sugar Loaf Car Park
Time: 21:40 UT
Seeing: 6pk
Transparency 4
Instrument used: f/8 150mm Newtonian Reflector
Eyepiece: Orion 9mm Expanse
AFOV: 66 degrees
TFOV: 0.495
Materials used: 2B, 2H graphite pencils, and a blending stump. The image was sketched at the eyepiece and inverted using GIMP 2.0

In addition to observing M42, Mike showed me a nice double star in Canis Major through his excellent scope. Through my telescope we observed M35, M36, M37, M38, and M45 with Kevin, Ben, and Mike. We had fun with an eyepiece 'shoot-out' later in the evening. While my entry-level 32mm Plossl provided very nice views of M45, Kevin's Televue provided far better contrast that made each object really stand out.

All in all, tonight's 'meet-up was very enjoyable, albeit very cold! Consequently, we finished up just before midnight. It was great to see Alan again, and meet Derek too. Aubrey, and Paul, you were missed! And I'm sending you my well wishes Aubrey, hopefully that cold passes soon.

Very many thanks for reading the above, and your comments and feedback are very much welcomed.

Clear skies to all,

Darren.

Hi Darren,

It was good to see you all again.

I can only see a black image with W and N written on it.

Michael.

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for pointing that out. When I view the image on my phone it is very difficult to see, but on the PC it shows up. It will be interesting to hear what device you're viewing it on? 

I think going forward I will need try to enhance the image so it's easier to view on mobile devices. I had a similar issue with another sketch I posted recently.

Kindest regards,

Darren.

Hi Darren,

I'm using a laptop.  I'll try my desktop later on.

Michael.

That's quite a good image of M42, Darren.
I can see the nebula, Theta 1 and Theta 2.
I can also see a fine double below M42.

Nice catch!

Maybe if it's clear next Friday night 24th January I would be available to see you all at the Sugarloaf Car Park.
It will be New Moon after all.
Please check your astronomical calendars!

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Looks like you had some excellent skies.  Even from my light polluted back garden the seeing was very good and I managed to bag a good number of objects.
Paul