Knighty2112

Sky conditions not great outside, even though clear. Too much murk around, and hardly any transparency, so packed up for the night.  

Phew! After today nights start getting longer and darker (eventually) again! 😁😁😁

Skies looking good for later on to test out some fuzzies with some new 25x70 binos later on!  🤞🏻

Oh well! Another great forcast by FLO that turned out to be more fantasy than reality after clouds piled in again after set up. I did manage to view a couple of things before total wipe out, so can’t complain too much I guess!  

Clouds spoiled play again just as I’d finished setting up. Don’t you just love it when that happens! Sheesh! Grrrrrr........  

Jupiter showing nice detail tonight. GRS easily visible in the twilight. Would stay up to view more but need to get sleep for an early start for work alas. 

Even though still light Jupiter is showing nice details. GRS easily visible, along with other belts/details etc, at least in my C8 tonight. Hoping for a good image!  

Skies looking nice and blue still after some thunder storms, so may nip out after the footie to look at Venus & Jupiter again if possible!  

Tracking Venus with my goto mount between the clouds, in the hope of seeing Mercury when the sun disappears behind the roofline of the bungalow next door.

Same old; get set up to image Jupiter. Get 3 small runs done after aligning scope, and Bam! Clouds roll in to spoil play! Pity as Jupiter was showing some fine detail, even though the GRS is not on view.

No WL action on the sun today, but at least with the help of my goto mount I’m seeing a very wobbly Venus in the heat! Better the than nothing I’ve had for the last 10 days or so!  

Tonight’s the night to try my first imaging of Jupiter with my ZWO ASI 120 mc camera. In two minds which scope to use, so may try both the C8 SCT and also the Omni 120mm ‘frac (obviously not both at the same time with the camera)  

Nice viewing of Jupiter around 11:30pm when seeing steadied down. GRS easily visible, with another dark feature just about directly above in the  North Equatorial belt. Best views at 166x with 80A blue planetary filter along with ADC.  

Great views of Saturn this evening. Cassini was so prominent. Even managed to see details on the planet too for the first time. Kind of strange that Jupiter wasn't any where near as good! 

Woke up early at 3:30am. Got the scope out and managed to bag a few galaxies, globs, planetaries, and of course Jupiter, Mars and wonderful Saturn again!  

Great steady seeing on the moon tonight folks. Easily pushed over 200x with EP’s, and the moon is as steady as a rock. Make the most of these conditions, regardless of the cold if you can!  

Gone and done it now! Pressed the button on a ZWO ASI 120 MC camera. ?

Nice 2 hour session. Would have stayed out a little longer if it wasn’t too cold! Brrrrr........

Chilly out there, but good to get the scope out for a wee session again. Pity that Skysafari never allowed an alignment with my goto mount, but the normal handcontroller came to the rescue!  

Quick smash and grab for about an hour. Some old chums seen (M42 very clear, even without filters), and some new asteroids added to the tally!  

Nice unexpected Astro session; bagged asteroid Iris again easily, and also saw galaxy Cetus A for the first time too. Hope for better skies at SGL star party too to nab more goodies too! Fingers crossed!  

Woohoo! Going to watch the 40th anniversary filming of Close Encounters of the third kind tomorrow night at the movies! Classic movie! Can't wait! ???

Plenty going on on the sun today,  in white light, so have a look if you get the chance to.  

Great transparency last night. Managed two new targets; NGC400 (Mirach's ghost) & M102 (Spindle galaxy). Also saw M33 for the first time for a long time from my garden. Excellent stuff!  

Liking the darker nights once again, when clouds allow of course!