102 beats the moonlight !

[cotterless45]

The gripping sort of night with little dew , super sky and a huge moon. A crystal night when you could stay out all night with a huge Moon. I managed until 1.30 before feeling age and getting tired.

A large correx board kept the Moon behind me out of the eyepiece. The huge oak down the road ( middle of the ecliptic) soon swallowed the bright light. Observing away from the low light gave great views .The shedhog trundled by and the noise of nearby roadworks broke into the night. 

A bright sky , some clusters showed up well. Afraid that once again I had to turn to binary and multiple stars. The star colours and seeing were remarkable. This forty year old scope ( been it's caretaker for ten years) punches into the sky , I've always thought that 4" of aperture produces results. I ended up with the warming Almach at x50, a most delightful sight. I did get orange and green here.

Pisces was remarkably high and gave the stunning sight of 38 Piscium, 4" and "grapefruit orange " does it. I was hoping to catch 27 Piscium which had opened up from .9" to 1.3".

A very difficult view of Groombridge 34 ( 1/4 degree N of 26 Andromedae) , the nearest binary to us. Andromeda , Perseus and Cassiopeia were dark enough for enjoying. Got down to 1.4" and a +10.3 companion, very pleased pushing 102 to limits. Σ162 is a lovely triple.

Waking this morning the sky was a crystal clear cold blue , great kick off to the season, under clear skies !

Nick.

[wookie1965]

Great report Nick where do you get these doubles from. Groombridge and the like I've never heard of them.

Great Sketches as usual.

 

[estwing]

Need to do your homework wookie!..😂..