| Description | Recorded on the same date as M42, presumably as part of his publication push, Messier's entry explains: "(March 4, 1769) `Position of the little star surrounded by nebulosity & which is below the nebula of the sword of Orion. M. Messier has included it in the drawing of the Great [Nebula].'" <--> Frankly, I didn't know this bulb on top of M42 had its own Messier number until my quest to observe all 110. It is a "miniature" M42, birthing a single star. M42 has a long history, as it's really a naked eye object, but the nebulosity was discovered in the 17th century. M43 itself was described by Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan circa 1731. The boundary separating it from M42 is the "northeast dust lane". This image shows it well, though my original target was M42 (see wide view). At the time the only telescope I owned was the EVO 9.25, and this was the widest view I could achieve at the time, focal length of roughly 1,500mm using a reducer. I've always thought it resembles one of the non-edible berries on bushes from my childhood, which I discover now is an English Yew Tree.... see gallery. |
