I dont know of observer pro but I imagine it is very similar to skywalk (which I use) or the many others out there. I find it very handy in my process which is this.
1.) I use my (detailed enough) star charts which I downloaded and laminated from "eyes on the skies" to locate and mark on the chart what I want to find.
2.) I go somewhere dark and use skywalk on my iphone to find the constellation I want. I find this easier as I am still new to this and dont know many of the constellations yet by eye.
3.) I find the nearest star to the DSO and point my red dot finder at it. Then I use my right angle finder to star hop to where the DSO should be.
Sometimes I can see something fuzzie in the finder and sometimes I cant but even if I cant, this process should put me within 1 or 2 degrees of the target. then I just look through the scope and hover around a bit. If you dont already have a RDF, get one. I just mounted mine to my finderscope and have them both alinged together. They are about $40 and they make life easier because they have 0 magnification which is the easiest place to start, then you can use the magnification on the finder and, then of course the scope. So, effectively, you are starting from 0 and stepping up in magnification in increments while you hone in on the target.
I dont know much about refractors but its only a small step down in aperture from what I am using and I feel Im doing pretty well with mine. Maybe someone with a similar scope can tell you more. The most important piece of advice I can give if looking for galaxies is TAKE THAT SCOPE SOMEWHERE DARK. ie a camping spot in a national park. I often do this and dont camp. Just turn up for a couple of hours. A good rule is, if you can see a large arc of the milky way naked eye you will have a good chance. I would try andromeda at the moment but go late at night probably 2 or 3 am. It will be there from about 10am onwards but you will probably have the same trouble with the atmosphere as I did on the weekend if it is too low. Use your lowest eyepiece. good luck
) None of the galaxies have been observed from my backyard and I live on the outskirts of a smallish town. Your block sounds like a good place to observe. Andromeda is usually in the north so light from the south shouldnt be too much of a problem.
4.30 am
