Observations made in the constellation Orion

View Observations | Add Observations
Help | Discussion | Acknowledgements

Observations made in the constellation Orion:

NGC1980 (Bright Nebula, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 5.1-inch equatorial reflector   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Wed Jan 26 02:30:00 2022 UT   Obs. no.: 2325

Last evening, I observed the open cluster NGC 1980 below The Orion Nebula. It was a nice group of stars forming a nice open cluster. I also observed NGC 1999 which is a small but bright cluster just below M42 & M43. I also viewed the bright nebulosity around The star Rigel. It was really impressive.

M42 (Orion Nebula) (Bright Nebula, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 5.1-inch equatorial reflector   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Thu Dec 23 04:00:00 2021 UT   Obs. no.: 2321

This evening, I observed three different star clusters in Orion. I first observed the group of stars which is part of Orion's head. I then observed the huge cluster of stars that swarm around the three belt stars of Orion. I then viewed a cluster of stars just below Bellatrix which also was impressive. Just above Betelgeuse, were stars that formed Orion's club while the group of stars above Bellatrix formed Orion's arrow. Finally, I viewed the famous Orion Nebula. What a great night of observing.

Other (Other, est. mag 3, est. to be in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 5.1-inch equatorial reflector   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Tue Dec 14 04:00:00 2021 UT   Obs. no.: 2316

Last evening, I observed CR69 which is the open cluster that makes up Orion's head. In my rich field telescope, I was able to see many of the stars in the cluster. I also counted 8 meteors from the Geminid Meteor Shower.

M42 (Orion Nebula) (Bright Nebula, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 127-mm other   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Fri Apr 9 00:45:00 2021 UT   Obs. no.: 2245

This evening, my brother Anthony & I did some nice observing with our computerized 5" MAK. We were able to view M97, The Owl Nebula. We also looked at Galaxies M82 & M104. However, we decided to closely examine M42 & M3. We used a strong Televue eyepiece with a nebula filter to inspect the Orion Nebula. This turned out to be one of our best views ever of the Orion Nebula. We then moved to the belt star Mintaka where we saw more of the nebula in Orion. We finally moved the scope to M78 where more of the nebulosity was. We then examined globular cluster M3 & what we saw was some nice speckling with it. we also viewed Mellotte 111 open cluster as well as M41 & some double stars. It turned out to be a great evening.

This evening I observed objects in both the Orion & Canis Major. In Orion, I was able to see clusters of stars throughout Orion. I was also able to enjoy double stars & asterisms. M42 & 43 were nice to see also. In Canis Major, M41 did not show very well but there were plenty of asterisms & clusters of stars there too. Now that I'm recovered from Covid, I can now resume my astronomy.

M78 (Bright Nebula, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 127-mm other   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Wed Dec 9 00:00:00 2020 UT   Obs. no.: 2222

Last evening, my brother Anthony & I Observed several objects with out 5" computerized MAK. For the first time, both of us finally observed M78 which is a small nebula in Orion. We also observed NGC178 which is a galaxy in Cetus. The other first timer that we saw was the Asteroid Psyche. We also saw M1, The Crab Nebula. We also saw several double stars & other objects. It was a fun night.

Last night & this morning, I did plenty observing with my Newtonian Short Tube reflector. Last night I started out with Jupiter & I was able to see its two belts & four moons. I then went on to Saturn where I enjoyed looking at its rings & its moon Titan. I then looked at the moon to observe the moon's crater rays. When I looked at Mars, I was able to see more dark areas as well as its blue white polar hood. Finally I turned on the variable star Myra which is now at its brightest. It was orange color. When it dims again, it will turn red. Early this morning, I got up to do more observing. Venus has a lot of grey areas embedded in its cloud bank so I believe some storms are occurring on the planet. I then turned my attention to the Orion Nebula & its constellation. The nebula is just one part of how great it is to sweep Orion with low powered eye piece. The nebula itself was great to see but there was nebulosity throughout the constellation. There are many groups of stars that can be seen with my scope. Finally, I checked out Betelgeuse & it has regained most if not all of its brightness. However, Rigel did look brighter. Later in the morning, I looked at the sun with my solar scope. There were no sunspots to be seen.

Alpha Ori (Betelgeuse) (Star, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: naked eye   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Sun Mar 15 23:40:00 2020 UT   Obs. no.: 2136

This evening, I observed Betelgeuse to see if the reports of its brightening is true. I now estimate its magnitude to be about 1.3 magnitude which is .3 degree brighter than it was about a month ago at 1.6 magnitude. It is definitely getting brighter now & we'll see how bright it gets.

This evening, The skies finally cleared & I was able to see Betelgeuse become a little brighter. I now estimate Betelgeuse's magnitude at 1.4 compared to 1.5 last week. Also last week I got up very early in the morning to view Mars & Jupiter for the first time in 2020.

After a week of cloudy weather, I was able to observe Betelgeuse as I arrived home from work. Betelgeuse seems to be holding steady at about 1.5 magnitude compared to Bellatrix's 1.6 mag. It does look like Betelgeuse has bottomed out with its lessening mag. Hopefully I will be taking a peak at it tonight.

Alpha Ori (Betelgeuse) (Star, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 50-mm binoculars   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Mon Jan 20 01:30:00 2020 UT   Obs. no.: 2129

This evening, my brother Anthony & I observed Betelgeuse once again with both binoculars & the naked eye. We both agreed Bellatrix is now a little brighter than Betelgeuse, maybe by half a magnitude. We also think the middle star of Orion's belt may also be brighter. There's no doubt Betelgeuse is still dimming. My brother & I will continue to monitor this.

This evening, I observed Betelgeuse with my naked eyes & 10X50 binoculars. It now looks like Betelgeuse has faded to about the same magnitude as its Orion shoulder partner Bellatrix. They both look about 1.6 magnitude now. I will continue to check often.

This evening I checked to see if Betelgeuse is still fading. With Bellatrix's magnitude being 1.6 as comparison it looks like Betelgeuse's magnitude has now dropped to 1.5 from 1.4. I'm really going to keep my eyes on this star for the next several weeks.

Hearing reports of the sudden dimming of the red super giant star Betelgeuse, my brother Anthony & I observed the star. Betelgeuse has become much dimmer than Orion's blue giant star Rigel. It now looks a little brighter than the other shoulder star on Orion Beletrix. Astronomers say it is possible Betelgeuse may go supernova in the near future as a result of this sudden dimming. If it happens, it will be some sight.

M42 (Orion Nebula) (Bright Nebula, in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 50-mm binoculars   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Fri Nov 30 04:45:00 2018 UT   Obs. no.: 2079

This evening I observed Orion with my 10X50 binoculars. I first looked at the nebula itself & I was able to see a few Trapezium stars also. Looking at the belt stars, I was able to see a cluster of fainter stars all around the belt stars. The head of Orion also contains a group of fainter stars showing its head. Just below the nebula, there is a binocular double star which is nice to look at. Finally, I was able to compare & contrast the orange color of Betelguiese with the blue white color of Rigel.

M43 (Bright Nebula, in Orion)
Observer: Joe Muse (e-mail: jjharp@yahoo.com)
Instrument: 8-inch Dobsonian reflector   Location: Roswell, New Mexico, USA
Light pollution: light   Transparency: good   Seeing: excellent
Time: Sat Apr 14 15:00:00 2018 UT   Obs. no.: 2047

Star Party with the astronomy club. Bortle class 3 but it was still a very enjoyable evening. All objects clear and quick to find. Completing Messier certificate. M13, M41 which we also saw in binoculars, M43 located between the city light dome and the zodiacal light, the nebula cloud was hard to see, but we could see enough of it to know we found it; M92

Early this morning, while I was looking for Orinid meteors, I looked at two bright old dying stars. In Taurus, I compared Aldebaran with Orion's Betelgeuse. Both stars at orange colored meaning their temperatures are on the lower side. However Betelgeuse looks a little ruddier than Aldebaran which makes it older & cooler than Aldebaran. Based on this simple observation it looks like Betelgeuse will be the first to go supernova.

Satellite (Satellite, est. mag -8, est. to be in Orion)
Observer: Mark D. Schneider (e-mail: markd_s@yahoo.com)
Instrument: naked eye   Location: Garden Grove, California, United States of America
Light pollution: light   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Sun Mar 15 02:20:35 2015 UT   Obs. no.: 1946

Iridium 32 Flare high in the South.

Meteor (Meteor, est. mag -4, est. to be in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: naked eye   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: good   Seeing: good
Time: Mon Dec 15 04:00:00 2014 UT   Obs. no.: 1940

This evening, while observing the Geminid Meteor Shower, I saw a bright -4 magnitude meteor pass through Orion. It was a blue meteor with a short trail. Very Impressive!

Meteor (Meteor, est. mag -1, est. to be in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: naked eye   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Sun Oct 21 06:30:00 2012 UT   Obs. no.: 1886

Early in the morning, my friend Joe Cseh & I observered both the Orinid & Taurid meteor showers. The Orinids were fast & faint except three of them which were fairly bright of about -1 magnitude. The Taurids were faint & slow moving. No bright ones were seen. In two hours we observed about 10 Orinid & about 3 or 4 Taurids. We also froze to death.

Other (Other, est. to be in Orion)
Observer: Michael Amato (e-mail: abigmick@aol.com)
Instrument: 50-mm binoculars   Location: West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Light pollution: moderate   Transparency: fair   Seeing: fair
Time: Sun Nov 14 04:00:00 2010 UT   Obs. no.: 1862

This evening, I observed three asterisms, two in Orion and one in Taurus that I read about in Sky & Telescope Magazine. The first and the best asterism is called Davis' Dog and it is located just above the Hyedes Star Cluster. Davis' Dog looks like a cartoon charecter. The next asterism is called the Beach Chair Asterism and this asterism is located in Orion's head. Above that is the Beach Umbrella Asterism and this looks like like an umbrella with a bent pole. I've been looking at this part of the sky for years and I never noticed these asterisms so try to take a look at them. You'll like them.

View 25 more observations...

Sort by:	Observation time Upload time
Sort order:	Forward Reverse
Object:
Type of object:
Constellation:
Observer:

View Observations | Add Observations
Help | Discussion | Acknowledgements

Questions? Problems? E-mail jbc@west.net

Object database created with dObjects

Logo created with Pixelsight