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M35, M36, M37, and M38

Discussion in 'Astrophotography and Imaging' started by Orion25, Feb 26, 2022.

M35, M36, M37, and M38

Started by Orion25 on Feb 26, 2022 at 8:23 AM

5 Replies 1678 Views 3 Likes

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  1. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Feb 26, 2022
    #1
    I always try to catch these Messier objects in the same observing session simply because they are in close proximity to each other and just plain fun to look at, lol. I figured that I needed to update my images of these star clusters (it's been a few years) so I took a few one-offs at prime focus through my little Mak since it's set up for AP (my reflector will need a few mods to get it up to speed for imaging).

    M35
    ASTRONOMY - M35 2-19-22 SM.jpg

    M36 The Pinwheel Cluster
    ASTRONOMY - M36 PINWHEEL CLUSTER 2-19-22 SM.jpg

    M37
    ASTRONOMY - M37 2-19-22 SM.jpg

    M38
    ASTRONOMY - M38 2-19-22 SM.jpg

    Do you have a favorite? I can't seem to choose...

    Reggie;)
     
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  2. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Mar 4, 2022
    #2
    They are all good. My favorite is M37, followed by M35. The reason I like M37 is because the cluster appear 'tighter', for lack of a better word, and there are plenty of stars in the field. I also like M35 because of the stars in the field.

    M38 takes a very close third, again because the cluster is pretty tight and the field has a lot of stars. Finally, M36 is nice, too.

    Your images came out well, especially considering they are single frames taken through a long focal length Mak. :)

    Ed
     
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  3. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Mar 4, 2022
    #3
    Thanks, Ed. I think I tend to prefer the denser clusters, too. They're very photogenic, lol. My next mission is to outfit my reflector for AP. It's a little tricky since the focusing is more limited.
     
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  4. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 5, 2022
    #4
    Great pictures as usual Reggie. Sorry, I have only just noticed this thread. Over the past few sessions I've been looking at all of these clusters. I do have a favourite though. Many years ago I accidentally discovered M37 and wondered what it was. It always suggests a triangle shape to me. I had to look it up. According to Wikipedia it was originally discovered by some bloke called Giovanni Battista Hodierna. I discovered it later, of course lol.

    m37.jpg
    This screenshot from KStars (HiPs All Sky Overlay) is pretty close to how I see it with a 72mm refractor.
     
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  5. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Mar 5, 2022
    #5
    Thanks, Dave. I kinda see the triangle shape in M37. It appears more densely packed than the others I imaged here, making for an easier AP target for a long focal length scope like my 127mm Mak (I really need to outfit my reflector for some serious photography but I just don't want to put in the effort, lol).
     
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  6. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 6, 2022
    #6
    It's certainly more densely packed. I'm pretty sure I was using my old f/7, 130mm Newtonian when I first saw M37. Your pictures are really good considering that Mak is around f/12.

    127.jpg

    Mine doesn't get out as much as it should do. I really only use it for lunar/planetary. The AZ5 mount that was bundled with it gets out a lot though, just with other scopes lol.
     
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