scarp15

Not so sure regarding good image scale, might be a bit toothless.

Another one to watch out for, for which I'd seen a few slip ups; The Onion Nebula.

The poor weather forecast seems to be never ending, dreadful for some communities. I hope that you get those opportunities.

Nice report and probably an ideal approach with windy conditions.

I think that you might be best to travel and join with some astro observers if you can. Being a Northerner, might not be the best placed to advise, but dependent upon where you are in Essex, could you plan on traveling North into Norfolk for instance? Here you could hook up with what sounds like a very good visual astro group that includes @Littleguy80. You will then for certain bag the Veil.

Sit, definitely and on an easily adjustable observers chair. Relaxed comfortable good posture, provide moments of deeper visual intensity. Standing, retaining good posture is sometimes neccessy and can too provide receptive visual retention.

Meanwhile Robert you do have an excellent pair of binoculars, besides accepting filters, they will be a great addition to slip into your vehicle next time you head onto your dark site. Nothing more instantaneous than a good pair of binoculars.

The Lunt binoculars I use, which may not be available anymore except used, although probably about the same as the APM version, have a relaxing 20mm of eye relief. They are quite light and comfortable hand held and superb on a monopod. Definition and contrast is excellent. Steve Tonkin, Binocular Sky has a comprehensive review on his website. Occasionally they may come up second hand. They do not as you will know accept filters. I haven't really had an opportunity to try hand holding a filter to the objective, although had considered it if an opportunity should occur. They are very effective for general sweeping / observing, I would expect that they will become a bit clumsy if attempting filtered observing. A rich field refractor between 70mm to 90mm is lovely to have in addition to these binoculars for that purpose. The Apollos might be good on a tripod, I had the 10.5x70 Apollos, a little shorter, steadier to hand hold for short periods when leaning against something and OK on a monopod. Try the 15x70's on your monopod, they might just be OK.

Perhaps the very simplest challenge I will apply myself to are during good but brief periods of lunar observing. Weekday evenings can be difficult to become motivated or there are other agendas, nipping in and out with my 16x70 binoculars set onto a monopod becomes absorbing and stimulating. As my eye and the binocular settles, particularly when sat on the bench, I will quickly get to see with considerable clarity and scrutinise the topography. Nipping back in I will consult with the 21century Atlas of the Moon and other paper charts and references, before going back out to scrutinise and analysis further. Taking regard to any reporting happening on here, it is engaging to attempt to glean and extract more features with this small aperture and limited magnification. Always something new to learn concerning each lunar phase and by the simplest method possible.

Wow quite a ride, the 3D sensation is quite impressive.

That is also what I plan to do more of, to camp out for a night. This will enable a slightly longer journey (more than an hour each way), requires being flexible though around new moon times. Cannot add anything further to what has already been said concerning coastal observing. Often, I quite like to go onto higher open ground to maybe reduce the extent of condensation building up.

We have the calm before then storm at the moment. It sounds like its going to get a bit brutal as from tonight. Just hope that my daughter can get back to Leeds Uni on Sunday, as transport networks might be cancelled. As you say, could be that there follows some good observing conditions for later next week.

That is an insightful article John thanks for posting. The Fishes Mouth area is I think composed of the same emission, reflection nebula composition, yet appears as a silhouette. I am also not certain whether it is defined as of the same nature? Interstellar dust from a dark nebula, absorbs visible wavelengths of stars and emission, reflection nebula. This may or may not constitute for the Fishes Mouth, would be interesting to learn more about the science. The nature of the largest dark nebulae that appear in the Milky Way as naked eye objects such as the Great Rift, are irregular patches in character and referred to as dark cloud constellations. Not much more insightful but here is another article. https://astrobob.areavoices.com/2018/12/28/behold-the-orion-nebula-winters-most-beautiful-flower/

Hi Robert, thanks, the binoculars I use are not threaded for filters. It could be possible to try holding a 2" filter to an objective lens, but I don't know how practical this will turn out to be, not much perhaps. With the exception of B33, the dark nebulae mentioned do not as far I am aware require filtered assistance. The Dark Cigar is certainly more interesting than the reflection / emission nebula it appears to feed into. Thanks Neil and that is very interesting concerning your observation for B86. E.E. Barnard described this nebula as 'a remarkable small inky black hole in a crowded part of the Milky Way'. Lying within Sagittarius it is a bit tricky from my latitude but could be something to have a go at next summer, thanks for the mention of this and comment on B92, B93 and yes that is a good resource. Cheers Mark, good luck with that. You can almost throw everything at these objects, binoculars, wide field refractor, medium sized dobs and in Gerry's case when he steps in, just looking up from a recliner, at least upon certain subjects in Cygnus. Congrats on that Peter. It took a couple attempts, first with an 8" f6 dob, later the refractor and binoculars worked and I will return to using the dob in late summer. It is a particularly interesting subject to attempt to observe and examine when you have grasped it. Definitely worth a try with the dob John. Yes that talk must have been very interesting. The Fish Mouth as far as I understand is a dark intrusion, it would however be interesting to hear of any other thoughts on this.

Dark Nebulae: molecular star forming clouds of dark dust blocking the light from background stars, can be a challenge to the visual observer. Yet a few are attainable by naked eye, binoculars or a rich field telescope. Originally catalogued by E.E Barnard in his Catalogue of Dark Markings in the Sky, the summer season probably contains many of these more notable targets. However the winter period can also be a good time to try and observe some of these more visually elusive objects, exploring beyond just the iconic B33; Horse Head Nebula. Here are some of my own highlights, throughout the observing season, during nights of transparent, dark sky observing. The very first and one of the easiest to locate and see is B168, The Dark Cigar, that is situated high up in Cygnus and drifts towards the visually subtle challenge of the Cocoon Nebula. Even with a H-beta filter attached (for the Cocoon), this long nebula stands out and is quite visible in binoculars. The next dark nebula to command my attention and as with many visual astronomers, was B33 the Horse Head Nebula. Considered a difficult object that (regardless for there being little to actually see) seasonally engages fascination, the 'notch' of B33 will leap out if employing averted vision with a moderate aperture scope. Each encounter, that is two or three times a year, I get to grasp a little more of its characteristic profile, quite enticing. My attention next turned to what is considered to be perhaps another of the easiest and defined in form, the dark markings that constitute for B142 and B143, notably referred to as Barnard's E. Located in Aquila not too far from Gamma Aquila, The position is straight forward to locate yet can initially become a challenge. Transparency needs to be good and they are particularly suited to rich field and binocular observing. Not unlike the Horse Head, it took a few times with different instruments and under different circumstances before I finally got this object. It is one to keep trying for, as once seen will become easier to accomplish, perhaps the etched E, a nod to Mr Barnard. Last year I went in pursuit of B144, embedded in the Cygnus Star Cloud, this large object requires a wide field to appreciate. Commonly known as The Fish on a Platter, I captured this during the summer on a wild camping trip. Roaming through Cygnus with my 16x70 binoculars, stretching the 4.1 degree field, a larger object than my perceived field of view, yet quite shapely none the less. There are more besides that I would have simply looked through and others I have tried to pursue but have not so far comprehended or succeeded. A return this winter will be for B34 in Auriga and close to the Open Cluster M37 and of a similar scale, considered to be fairly straight forward. There is a good sketch and description for B34 on the Belt of Venus, Jeremy Perez web site. There are also others that lie in Perseus, Cepheus, Taurus and Orion that I would like to go back to or attempt, each with varying degrees of difficulty. Barnard 160 in Cepheus, aligned near to IC 1396, the Elephant Trunk Nebula is another feasible target. I am also interested in looking for B5 in Perseus but considered to be more of a challenge. Do you have experiences for observing dark nebulae, such as the ones mentioned or some of the other notable Barnard objects as B92 and B93 near M24 in Sagittarius?

Thanks to for the heads up, very nice indeed, Copernicus perfectly presented, air is stable, dark and clear following on from wind and rain earlier. Second consecutive night out observing the moon with binoculars, last night was a gaping Clavius that commanded particular attention. Definitely good enough to set up a scope, but we're off to a pub quiz. Near by Aldebaran is looking lovely, sharp and golden to.

That is horrendous, Caroline Lucus will be the neighbouring MP, utterly shocking all in the name of supposedly maintaining football turf retention, barking. Petition signed.

Lovely way to begin the story Neil, making that birthday cake for your daughter. Quite motivational interspersing everyday (and night) life with those visual astronomy quests. Congrats in particular for capturing the supernova. Birthday cake and stargazing, a fine combination.

A bit belatedly, really good session and great that you kept at it until near 3am. That could in part be the reasoning for the decisive nebulae observations, the early hours gaining in optimum transparency conditions. I quite like that you nipped in for a drink, the problem with going to a dark sky site as I do (besides not so conveniently nipping in other than the car for a drink) and plan on returning the same night, there is a point where you know that you had become tired and need to pack away and go home, sooner than you might prefer. The area around the Flaming Star is an interesting location, in particular IC 410 amongst the open cluster NGC 1843 is bright and engaging, responding to filtered observing an OIII being preferred and a UHC and H-beta also seem to work at various low to mid power.

Lancashire, so Mike would probably more likely be sporting this outfit.

Yes the covers are roomy and open at the bottom so good air circulation. That is a good plan for the using the alcove for storing the stepladders Piero, my astro chair folds up compact and is stored within an alcove, though alongside a chest of draws upstairs.

We live in a terrace Town House, the rooms are quite large with high ceilings, almost swallows up the VX14. It can as you say become determined perhaps by your available interior or external space. Also it is true, my wife's stuff is sort of integrated around, our front room has become more her domain in organisational terms. She grew up in a family home where her dad was a keen bee keeper and canal angler. His stuff would end up in the terrace house they then had, became part of the furnishings as you say.

Can quite relate to that storage arrangement Piero. I have both dobsonian's, Berlebach tripod bunched together in a corner of our back room. To minimise dust, they are each draped in a polythene cover, the dobs a couple of old complementary airport ski bags. That is good that your girlfriend is OK with this and even expressing positive comments. I am also quite fortunate in that my wife will tolerate, but certainly no positive comments. However occasionally I do cross the line, discreetly bring in one of my bicycles, that is definitely not tolerated and is promptly back in the shed.

Here are two more drawings borrowed from Mel Bartels collection and referencing the comments made above. Describing picture one, as the base of the broad bands is a bright area. Picture two the IFN entwined with the two galaxies.

Yes, no need for a filter but absolutely humidity is the factor, has to be a dry and transparent night, perhaps with a light breeze to. This weekend is disappointing, no hope no chance just cloud cover. Therefore dark sky periods, later in February and Ursa Major will be gaining due south, M81, M82 will be elevated high. The formation of Integrated Flux Nebula is encountered in the region of M82 and might be worth exploring for if circumstances are right. Mel Bartels sketch conveys an indication, my vague recollection is that an aspect based on this sketch may be detectable, could be interesting to factor in for next month.