Back to basics.

[cotterless45]

Huge waning Moon, crisp clear early hours. Went right back to basics, gem mount,90 frac, Telrad , 25mm and 8mm BST Explorers.

Some very crisp views of the terminator, a couple of amazing craters with wrinkle ridges, internal wall and central peak structures.The whole surface shows lovely contrast making ejecta really stand out.

Over to Orion, the trapezium and sigma Orionis. Just cute deep views. M3 came up as a warm glow half way between Arcturus and the lovely double Cor Caroli.

M81 and M82 looked quite bright, the contrast provided by small aperture helps. Had a search around for other galaxies but not much seen in Leo. Stars appear as lovely rounded bright peas, clean.

Up to Jupiter and both bands and glimpses of a shadow transit on one limb. The red disc of Mars followed with a bright glow of Venus.

The Telrad is a great help, direct 6x30 finder scopes should be discarded !

Some sage lessons learnt,

Crocs let in frost.

That terrible little sound of something falling and tinkling from the ep tray turned out to be a spare bolt and washers.

I usually use a 10"Dob and a 150 frac, but it was very interesting to see what is possible especially with the Moon around.

Clear skies !

Nick.

[nightfisher]

Nice one Nick, sometimes less is more so to speak, I am still very tempted to sell the lot and just have one scope, as none of them are getting used these days

[John]

Super report Nick.

I was observing similar fare last night but I turned in earlier so Jupiter etc will have to wait !

Messier A and Messier are one of my favourite lunar sights and they were looking rather lovely last night. Managed a few brighter galaxies and E & F Trapezium so went to bed happy

Need more clear nights though - it's been a bit "lean" here of late

[laudropb]

Very nice report Nick. I got about 10 minutes with the bins last night before it started to rain. Set the alarm for 4 am, but raining cats and dogs and blowing a gale.

[chiltonstar]

Some similar sights here too, plus E & F Trapezium (as John above), Sirius B (1st time this season) and a good session on Mare Crisium (not my usual fayre).

Chris

[John]

Some similar sights here too, plus E & F Trapezium (as John above), Sirius B (1st time this season) and a good session on Mare Crisium (not my usual fayre).

Chris

Mare Crisium was very well placed and illuminated last night as was the large crater Petavius with it's impressive central peaks and broad rille that appears to run straight across from the rim to the central peak.

[nightfisher]

i had planned on a session but a look at weather forcast put paid to that, however i woke at about 5am for a short while, spotted a nice clear moon, by time i got downstairs it had clouded over again

[alan potts]

Nice report as ever Nick, I like the 70mm APO I have mounted on top of my 12 inch Meade, it is a nice contrast between the widefield and the smallish 0.9 of a degree I get from the 41mm in the big boy. 

My goal this part of the year before it get silly cold is to bag Trapizium G and H with the 18 inch, it should be doable but i am not holding my breath as i believe they are 15th magnitude.

Alan

[Stridor]

A great report and a good read as per usual; an enjoyable session I have no doubt. : - )

[mapstar]

Glad you managed to get out Nick. Looking forward to getting out.

The weather of late has been abysmal and I'm hoping December at least shows us what we've all been missing.

Damian