Finally had some clear, dark skies - although I have seen it clearer (and darker) here in Dorrigo before.... It seems everyone was home tonight, and had their intrusive porch lights on.... couldn't avoid them!
My goal was to knock over some of the Sept challenge objects and to spot a galaxy or two or ten!
Couldn't resist some satellites first though.... ISS made a very bright show, much brighter I think than Heavens-Above predicted - I feel it was more like -1 or brighter, rather than -0.2.... also spotted Intercosmos-25, making a mag 3.5 pass directly overhead in a North-South direction.
Picked up NGC6752 (GC in Pavo) first.... after a quick bino review of the area - not a familiar area to me as yet.... found Peacock and popped down to the cluster via a little group of three stars.... can't say I thought it looked like a starfish though! Impressive through the Pentax XW10....
Cruised through Scorpius and Sagittarius with the Andrews UW80 30mm 2" EP - I like this EP..... I think someone will need to show me something pretty special to make me want to upgrade this baby!
Couldn't find the Bug Nebula....
Couldn't not gaze at Tuc47 for a while.... since omega Centauri had set behind some trees.....
Was at this point I realised why I could hardly see anything through the finder - dew!! everything was wet.... called it a night....
Was going to check out NGC1365, but my scrap of paper I'd written stuff on went missing - will try again tomorrow....
Had to see at least one galaxy, so went for a drive up the street, where it is scary dark
.... saw M31 with my 7*50's - finally have seen a galaxy!
I have decided:
- trying to locate things in a right angle finder really sucks! - it is nice once you have it in the finder..... pretty hard to get it there in the first place though - any suggestions??? I think I'll just get a laser.....
- the Andrews UW80 30mm 2" is a very nice EP
- the Pentax XW10 is a gorgeous little piece of kit too.... very comfortable to use, beautiful flat, sharp field to the edge....
tomorrow I hopefully will image a -8 magnitude Iridium in pristine dark rural skies....
gee - I have rambled - thanks for reading!