The Star Deck Observatory DSO for the week of April 8, 2007 is the open cluster Messier 50, a large rich open cluster in the Monoceros constellation. M50 can be observed in a good set of binoculars with at least a 50mm objective as a brighter fuzzy patch almost nebula like with a few discernable bright stars. The view in a small telescope becomes more remarkable with individual stars becoming more pronounced and resolved. One of the brighter Messier objects it's well worth spending a few minutes observing.
M50 will be passing through the zenith during the hours of 20:30 - 21:30 EST-DLST (00:30 - 01:30 GMT). It is relatively easy to find by using the star hopping method. Locate Sirius, the bright star of the Canis Major constellation. Sirius is the brightest star in the southern sky therefore fairly easy to find, once you find Sirius you need to pan north by slightly north west almost to the meridian point of the sky. There you will find Procyon the bright star of the Canis Minor constellation, next to Procyon you will find the star Gomeisa the dimmer of the two brightest stars of the Canis Minor constellation. Now visually draw a straight line from Gomeisa to Sirius, Come back up the line from Sirius about 1/3 of the way to the north towards Gomeisa using your Binoculars and you will find M50 there!
It is always a good ideal to let your eyes dark adapt for about 20 minutes prior to trying to do any visual observations, thus bettering your chances of seeing the DSO you are looking for. Good luck & clear skies!
Mark Jordan
The Mad One
39 47' 06" North / 85 46' 10" West
