3 replies to this topic

[Olivier Biot]

Binocular Universe: Here’s the Poop

By Phil Harrington.

[Ed D]

Phil, I really enjoyed this month's article. Living not too far from the tip of the Florida peninsula I have a very good view of the Southern skies. We are planning to go to Everglades National Park shortly and I'm looking forward to observing South, including Puppis.

Ed D

[buddyjesus]

I have tended to avoid Puppis due to it being so low, lack of bright stars and it being in the direction of trees and urban light dome. It is a shame really that I remedied with a dark sky visit last night. I meant to hunt spring galaxies but spent most of the night in Puppis without any regret. It is amazingly rich in beautiful objects for small telescopes. Your atlas was great for helping me identify the multitude of objects(there seems to be one in every FOV or three in that constellation.)

I also used to see M46 as an "also ran" cluster due to its relatively dimmer appearance to the spectacular M47 so I was happy to learn of it having a nested planetary nebula. I previously assumed this to be unresolved stars in the cluster due to ignorance.

Thank you for the very informative and most enjoyable tour this month. Puppis is now my favorite winter constellation and I hope you find writing your tours as spiritually fulfilling as they are for me to "travel"

[PhilH]

I'm very glad that you both enjoyed my overview of Puppis. There is so much there that we'll return to the area next winter to continue the tour!