The clear skies that often follow the passage of a rain front frequently generate excellent observing conditions. However, yesterday the moon was half full, meaning that I was restricted to fairly bright objects. I took in three gorgeous open clusters.
NGC 1528 and 1545 form a close pair of clusters in Perseus. They have contrasting characters, but are both great telescopic objects.
1528 is a very condensed cluster of mostly faint stars visible through binoculars. It has that mystical twinkle that many of the best open clusters have.
There are some nice strings and loops of stars in it.
1545 is more dispersed and consists of both bright and fainter stars without obvious strings or loops. Nonetheless it makes a very pleasing visual scene.
Orion’s head is formed from a wide open cluster known as Collinder 69. To the east of the main bright stars of the head known since ancient times, which include lambda orionis, are a beautiful scattering of fainter stars that again make a very pleasing visual scene.
I spent a good hour on these three, drinking in their visual spendour. Very inspiring and invigorating….only the tiredness of 1st January night could tear me away.
January 2, 2012
peterjmayhew
