Marki

Absolutely wonderful sketches, Rob. Glad you were able to take the moonshane on your holidays! I really can't add anything more than Stargazer_oo already said! Look forward to seeing more when you get another chance to get out!

Agreed. This is one of my "must view" objects everytime I go out, and whatever I use. To my eye the clusters are almost in three parts, two of which seem to have a pair of brghter stars. I really ought to research them more - sure some are doubles. Thanks for the background information too...makes these blogs really stand out for me.

That is a very ambitious sketch; well done! Keep 'em coming :)

Nice report Qualia and lovely sketches. I really must try these, assuming I ever get a night when the weather plays ball...and I don't get distracted by Andromeda and Jupiter every time I get out ;).

Excellent thought provoking stuff as ever, Qualia - have a great break and I hope to have seen some of these things by the time you get back! Either that or I'll have become even more familir with the undersides of clouds than I am already!

By the way, how are you recording and representing the colours here?

An excellent report as ever, Qualia. I really like the Struve pair as well - thanks for pointing that out; I'll have a look for this as soon as the weather permits.

Interesting blog entry, Qualia. Lots to think about here (too much for my short lunch break)....look forward to the next installment! So, when will you get to the Higgs Boson :)? Do we think the CERN team have cracked it yet or are they just justifying their next budget allocation requests ;).

I'm afraid at my latitude its pretty much not dark at any time (llowing for the LP), assuming the clouds ever let me see the sky for more than a minute! I tried to find the Ringrecently with my 100rs, but gave up.

However, you are right, there is no substitute for time at the eyepiece. I think alimited range of targets in an observing slot is a sensible plan for that reason.

Nice sketches, Qualia. I found the side by side comparison regarding the filter very instructive! Thanks!

Out of curiosity, what ep/diagonal combination are you most typically using for the Messiers? And is this different from what you use for splitting doubles?

I think Albireo is one of the most beautiful objects I have ever had the good fortune to see - the colours are stunning!

Look forward to your next post!

Ah thats interesting. I've read some good reviews of the UHC - tempted to get one myself. I have the Baader neodymium moon and skyglow filter to try cut some of the sodium haze. It works a little, I think, but there are many "white" lights as opposed to the orange, from a carpark immediately oposite my house. Have you given any thought to the OIII filters? I believe these are supposed to be good for "planetary" nebulas?

Look forward to seeing how this progresses, and if the cloud ever lifts, whether I can follow through my own eyepiece :). Will you update regularly against this list so we can se how you do?

Good work, Qualia. I love the background info you have provided as well.

I have yet to get a decent view of M57 from my heavily LP location; unfortunately I can't get on a roof, and I wonder if that height helps by getting you above much of the light? Do you use any filters?