Gemini and the Eskimo Nebula

Tonight was clear and with an 18% moon setting early I decided to have a look at the heavens. Taking a hint from this month's Sky at Night magazine, I looked for NGC 2392, the Eskimo Nebula. I prepared a chart of the area around delta Geminorum with Cartes du Ciel and started starhopping. First I easily found delta Geminorum (Wasat), a double with the fainter K star just visible off the much brighter F star. This was seen better at lower magnification since under the viewing conditions the star was blurred when highly magnified. Below delta is 63 Geminorum and below that, plainly visible is the Eskimo, a planetary nebula. This is bright as far as planetaries go. The centre is bright and surrounded by the haze of the nebula which to me looked greenish. There is a star close by.

Once in Gemini I took a quick look at Castor, a fine white double. I also observed the M35, a magnificent open cluster with myriad stars.

Once out observing I tried for the M46 and 47. For the first time I believe I could just make out NGC 2438, the planetary nebula in the M46. I also viewed the M1 Crab Nebula, M42, M43, the M44 Beehive and finished off with the Saturn. To the West of the planet first was Tethys with Dione to its South, then Titan and Iapetus furthest out. Rhea lay to the East.

Overall a good evening's observing.