Mars Cruises Through the “Beehive”

Mars Cruises Through the “Beehive”

Planet Mars and M44 (Beehive Cluster)
Sketch and Details by Juan Perez (Juanchin)

Object: Planet Mars and M44 (Beehive Cluster)
Date: November 03, 2009
Time: 0215 LST / 0915 UT
Location: El Mirage Arizona USA
Instrument: Orion 25 x 100 binoculars 2.5 Deg. FOV
Magnitude: Mars +0.5 M44 varying from 6 to 10 or so
Weather: Clear skies with a full Moon, calm winds and temperature of 60 Deg. F

Comments: I wanted to sketch this view a few days earlier when Mars was on the opposite of the cluster. Working the graveyard shift doesn’t allow me to take advantage of the best sky gazing opportunities when they present themselves.For this sketch, I had to wait until my days off from work. I would preffered to have caught Mars cutting through the cluster but I missed that chance. So here it is, Mars is still about 1/2 degree away from the open cluster, shining at +0.5 magnitude and heading in a East Northeasternly direction.The cluster itself contains a select few stars ranging from magnitude 6 to 10 or dimmer. I noted a couple of pale yellow stars but couldn’t distinguish any other subtle colors since I had the Beaver Moon in all its splendor right above me. I hope you all enjoy this sketch as much as I did. Juanchin

8 thoughts on “Mars Cruises Through the “Beehive””

  1. Juan,

    I enjoyed a similar view this moring through my 80mm finder as I centred on Mars 🙂

    Thank you for sharing. Dale

  2. I did the same thing, my binos are still in the yard facing up. I rechecked Mars’ position and it has pulled away yet slightly from M44. Thanks for your comment,wishing you dark and clear skies.

    Juanchin

  4. Marek,
    On Moonless nights there have been times that I couldn’t complain. Here’s wishing you the same. 😀

  5. Juan,

    This is an excellent capture of both targets. Your sketching is very fine.

    Frank 🙂

  6. great sketch Juan!I made same sketch from my home in Center Italy with bino 10×50 on trypod.
    I realized four sketches of this event from 31 october to 3 november.
    Ciao,Giorgio.

  7. Giorgio,
    It would be great to see one of your sketches posted here, simply for comparison and to admire someone elses view of any other details I might have missed. Thanks for the comment.
    Juanchin

  8. Juanchin,

    Very nice rendering! I was also sketching Mars at this time on the other side of the country.

    Michael Rosolina
    Friars Hill, WV USA

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