Messier 34

Object:   M34 (NGC109) Date:               2019 January 28
Type:  Open cluster
Constellation:           Perseus Time & altitude:          21.15 UT   57º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               1/5
            R.A:                1h 42m Transparency (5 high):                   5/5
            Dec:                51º 34 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitude     5.2 Eyepiece       17mm Ethos  x120
            Size (mins)    35 Filters:            None

Notes:

This cluster occupies more than half of my 50 arcmin field. The region around the cluster is quite busy with stars so I can’t really appreciate the cluster in its setting. The cluster’s centre is signalled by half a dozen pairs of wide, bright doubles. In all I estimate there are more than 60 stars, all fairly bright. The brain seems to parcel them into small groups making a variety of shapes and patterns. There is no impression of drifts of fainter stars down to the limit of the telescope, as one gets for example with M11. This makes the cluster appear loose and open.

 

No drawing.