Most Spectacular View of M42

Last night - or should I say this morning - I and two very experienced
observers were treated to truly spectacular view of M42, even though
it was only about 20° above the horizon at the time. We were at IHOP,
in the Sierra foothills, at an elevation of 5,200 feet, and the
easters sky at the time was dark, transparent and contrasty. The view
was through my 22" f/4 on an equaotrial platform, with a Demkmeier
standard binoviewer with 2" OCS, using a pair of Rini 30mm
very-wide-angle eyepieces, fitted with rubber eyeguards.

This is the most spectacular view of M42 I have ever seen. The view
was in color, with the pink and green areas clearly visible, and in
full 3-D. This view was better than any photograph I have ever seen of
M42, becuase both color and 3-D were so clear. I have never seen color
in M42 using the Denkmeier or other binoviewer with other eyepieces.
(Of course, color is clearly visible in my telescope when using
standard eyepieces from 13-30mm f.l.)

During the evening, we also had 3-D views of M8, M31, NGC253, M17 and
the Helix Nebula using the Rinis in the binoviewer. Yes, this is just
eye candy, but the wiews of extended objects with this optical
combination are unparalled in my experience. I'm still trying to get a
handle on the apparent field size. Right now, my best estimate is 45'.

Clear skies,
Shneor Sherman