Our group snuck in an extra viewing night last Saturday (official one is this Sat) ... . weather has been sooo crappy all year, that a clear night has to be taken advantage of.
Was a clear night too!!! A bit murky and lots of dew, but we still managed to see a few goodies.
Obviously Jupiter was nice and easy, and a little shadow transit of Io was great.
Checked out a few stars, globs, galaxies and nebula.
Andromeda galaxy (M31) was great as usual, with M 32 and M101 in the same FOV. A real treat. Then found M33 in nearby Triangulum - a faint rounded nebulous object, no arms seen, but imagined.
Highlight of the night was the magnificent Tarantula Nebula!! Had been ages since I had seen it, which made it even better. This is a huge nebula in LMC, and is said that if it were in our galaxy, it would cast shadows!!
![help](/vbiis/images/smilies/helpsign3.gif)
Popped on the UHC filter, whammo.
![thumbsup](/vbiis/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Orion had now risen, so Orion nebula next, another stunning nebula.
![Big Grin](/vbiis/images/smilies/happy04.gif)
Had looked for Comet Tempel hearlier, but no luck, but Comet Hartley was much easier. Nothing to write home about, but still a beloved comet, though small. Thought I could maaaaybe see a little fantail?? Views improved with my nifty comet filter.
![Wink](/vbiis/images/smilies/winking70.gif)
Packed up and home by 0115 to take some pics of the Hartley.
Hoping this Saturday night will be a goody too.