got my first ever 'close up' glimpse of Orion Nebula this morning  considering the moon was streaming down and the local car park had both sodium and halogen floods blasting into the sky, and Orion was skimming the horizon, i didnt think i'd see anything more than Orion's belt, but the nebula was there, a hazy white patch in the sky... Wasnt 100% sure at first, but after ruining my vision checking my atlas, yep all the stars matched, spent an hour and a half gradually freezing solid in the hope it would resolve a little better, but it wasnt going to happen 

cant wait to try again when the moon has gone and i'm out in the sticks; trip to north wales at end of the month is in order i think!

exciting times for a newbie  

• Scope: Star Watcher 200P dob w/ SkyWatcher Super 10mm w/ Moon & Sky Glow Filter
• Sky: [SW London] 100% Clear, Moon 97%, Light Pollution bad