[Rod-AR127 (Rod)]

Just setting up my AR127 achro to look at Mars through the cloud and smoke, l know right.
Meteor, bright and clear straight across in front of Mars as l was looking up to manually aim the achro. Observed with my eyes not the achro luckily.
Back to my observing now.

Back from observing, the red planet was red, too low and smokey for good observation.
School me on galaxies. Aperture is king and I've only got 127mm, 1200fl.
Tried to locate M83, Southern Pinwheel galaxy.
I located 1-4 Centauri but couldn't get to M83.
Only using x40 mag, l was looking for a reasonable smudge in space. How wrong was I?
I realise my 127mm 1200fl achro is an average telescope and not best suited to deep space.
More mag, more aperture, not a good start given light pollution?
I just don't know but would value being told the honest truth.
I can see a light bucket in my future, have shed, trolley and concrete.
It's the thrill of the chase right?