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NGC 2170 in Monoceros
Date of Obs ..... February 3, 2021 |
NGC 2170 in Monoceros is one of two objects in this area that are reflection
nebulae shining through an area awash with gas and dust. I was skeptical
of my ability to easily see these nebulae, but once I found the area, it was
surprising to discover that I could detect NGC 2170 and two associated nebulous
patches without much difficulty. These images
from Tenho Tuomi show the area and in particular the relationship of NGC
2170 on the right to two other fainter reflection nebulae to its left and
upper left. I could easily see NGC 2170 as a patch of nebulosity around
what looked like two stars. The view was improved with a nebula filter.
I was also able to see the two fainter patches with and without the aid
of the nebula filter, although they were not nearly as noticeable as 2170.
On this evening, I was totally unable to see NGC 2182, however. I'll have
to try from a darker location. The two brightest stars on the left side of the chart are β and γ Monocerotis, so the star hop begins at γ and you have to work westward into the area of 2170. |