Hi all....
Well, after the rain cleared yesterday, I finally got to dust off the Dob and do some stargazing to make the most of a late rising moon- the rain was my own fault, I picked up a new 20mm TV Plossl on Wednesday last week....
I was showing my partner some of the brighter DSO's around the place, started in Scorpius with M4, M80 and M19. I very quickly worked out the TV EP blows the Andrews 2-incher away.... I now need a new low-mag EP! Found the Blue Planetary off of Crux (very cool!), then showed off the Jewel Box and Omega-centauri.
But my objective for the night was to spot a galaxy, so I chased Centaurus A.... my Starry Night chart didn't print properly, and cropped off omega centauri, so I had to use a really low mag chart, which hindered me a lot, and ended up wondering if I saw it at all - I THOUGHT I saw a VERY faint fuzzy with a hint of a less-fuzzy patch in the middle...
Does anyone observe this galaxy from a less than very-dark site with an 8" Newt??? We were dark adapted, and could see the milky way beginning to appear also - is this darkness suitable???
Will be trying again soon, thats for sure, better star charts are made and ready....
Clear skies guys (and gals)
