[BAA 00490] Observing Opportunity - Mars in the Beehive Cluster

[Rick]

BAA electronic bulletin No. 00490 -- http://www.britastro.org/
Bulletin transmitted on Sun Apr 18 19:27:22 BST 2010
(c) 2010 British Astronomical Association

The Beehive star cluster M44 is a large open cluster of around 75 stars covering over a degree of sky in the constellation of Cancer (RA 8h 40m Dec +19o 30').  Readily visible to the naked eye as a misty patch from a rural site, it is impressive in even small binoculars. Currently Mars is paying M44 a visit and providing an excellent photo opportunity for imagers with wide field instruments or telephoto lenses, passing just over a degree north of M44. Mars is moving eastwards and away from the Beehive but remains with a few degrees for the next week and both will fit comfortably in the field of a pair of 10 x 50 binoculars.

Stewart Moore
Director, Deep Sky Section

[MarkS]

It looked very good through scopes and bins (and volcanic dust) at Kelling Heath!

Mark