Incredible Star Field Depth last night

[glend]

I was outside at 4am this morning and was absolutely astounded at the depth and detail of the star field overhead. It was so still, no twinkling, shimmering, or wobbles. Just a sliver of Moon rising, but It did nothing to distract from the star field. I could clearly see the Magenellic Clouds, the Lagoon nebula and the expense of the Milky Way. Truely the best naked eye star show I have seen, since my last trip to Bretti. I considered grabbing my Star Quality Meter but recalled how the Milky Way can seriously influence readings in situations like this. I hope others were out last night to site to enjoy the show, and that it was not limited to the sky above me at Lake Macquarie.

:eyepop:

[TimHarbour]

Hey mate. I was up till 11 last night with my 10" dob checking some dso's out. Sky quality wasn't too bad here for stars and nebula but not great for Mars. I could still make out the polar ice cap but not the darker regions like I could a couple of weeks ago at 300x. Jupiter had a nice shadow on it from one of its moons too. I had a good look at the crab nebula for the first time too. I love finding stuff with just stellarium and a red dot finder.
I'm yet to wake myself up early am to catch the still air and lagoon nebula. Maybe tomorrow.
What scope do you observe with Glen?

[EpickCrom]

Hi Glen, sounds like you had a fantastic night of observing.

Last night I was observing in my backyard with my 10 inch dob, concentrating on the Orion constellation. Wow, a great night with good transparency and seeing! I could clearly see the red wing tips of the Orion Nebula contrasting with its green central core.

The only downer was the light pollution! There is nothing like a good night of observing and contemplating the universe, therapy in its highest form. I'm glad you had a spectacular night!

Clear Skies
Joe

[glend]

Tim over the years I have had everything up to a 16" f5 Dob, but these days it's an ED150DX. Was also heavily into imaging for many years with Newts and a Mak-Newt.

[Rod-AR127]

Was a nice night for viewing in Perth last night as Joe said.
Hoping to get a good view of Mars tonight in the 127mm achro.

[strongmanmike]

Sounds awesome, love those nights, make you feel very privileged :thumbsup: We had friends up at Eagleview Sat night and we sat out on the deck eating and drinking, with the lights low, they were marvelling at the night sky overhead, including through some excellent image stabilised binos. It was also very crisp and steady as you described and they even got treated to the spectacle/horror, of a day old train of 23 very bright Muskellites, trailing across the night sky, very sci fi, totally freaked them out, like seeing a mushroom cloud after dropping a nuke, spectacular yet the feeling of doom.....

Mike

[croweater]

I, too was concentrating on the Orion nebula from my light polluted front yard. I could just make out the e and f stars of the trap with my ed120 which I was impressed with. I gave up in disgust though when a house across the roads' spotlight was coming on and off at regular intervals spoiling the view. I should have started in the back yard I guess. (Which is probably only marginally better)
Cheers, Richard

[EpickCrom]

G'day Rod!

Hope you got a good view of Mars with your magnificent 127mm. We must catch up for another observing session soon!

[EpickCrom]

Yeah Richard, it sure is annoying when the neighbours insecurity lights come on unexpectedly while your right in the middle of a nice observation :(