Observing podcast: Hind's Crimson Star, the Pirate Moon Cluster, and the Embryo Nebula
December 25, 2009-January 1, 2010: Hind's Crimson Star makes a great target for beginning observers, while the Pirate Moon Cluster and the Embryo Nebula provide nice targets for telescope owners.
Published:
December 23, 2009
 From magnitude 0.9 Aldebaran (Alpha [α] Tauri), move 3.5° northeast, and you'll encounter NGC 1647. Sharp-eyed observers can spot it from a dark site with their naked eyes, but, if you can't, binoculars or a finder scope will bring it in. It spans 40'.
Photo by Phil Harrington
In each episode, Michael highlights:
- One object you can see without any optical aid
- One object you can see with a small (4-inch) telescope
- One object you can see with at least an 8-inch telescope
Targets for December 25, 2009-January 1, 2010
Naked eye: Hind's Crimson Star
Small telescope: Pirate Moon Cluster
8-inch or larger telescope: Embryo Nebula
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