M31 at Last.......Disappointing.......NO WAY!!!

[Tiddles]

Great news!!!!! I have only had my scope a few days. Initially I was blown away by Jupiter, the bands and moons clearly visible. Although the moon was bright in the sky I managed to navigate fairly easily to M42 and M45. I was loving it so far, M42 revealed its distinctive shape and I'm hooked. I then turned my attention to M31 and to be honest I've struggled. On my third consecutive night and armed with some bino's I began the hunt again.

I've found it at last my scope revealed the dim grey smudge!!!!!!

With mixed feelings:

1. Disappointment - This was very short lived (about 5 minutes)

2. A big wake up call as to just how much of a challenge it will be to find my way around up there. - Fabulous, bring it on!!!!!

3. A quick take stock of what I've actually seen - That's another galaxy and its 2.5 million light years away!!!!!

Andy

[Double Kick Drum]

Nice one but it gets better.... keep looking at it. With a 6" dob, you should be able to see M32 (M31's bright companion) in the same field of view as well.

If your skies are good M110 (M31's not so bright companion) shouldn't be too difficult either.