Islander

You'd be surprised how little effect a bit of dirt on an objective lens has on the image

Have a look at this blog article...

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches

If you download the PDF in the enclosed attachment and print them it lists all of the alignment stars and their positions and which constellation they are in. I have found this invaluable when looking for the appropriate alignment stars

Http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-501-0-0-1-0.html

Superb link - thank you!

I'd add one thing to the OP and that's watch your date format. It's US (mm-dd-yyyy) not UK format.