Seen M81 tonight for 1st time

[acharris77]

Hi all, had some clearish skies, so I went out with my Skywatcher and aligned the goto and sent the scope to it, and to my delight I saw a fuzzy patch. Though it was not very easy to see due to the light pollution, I was still happy to see some fuzzy patch in the eyepiece.

Will have to try and find a darkish place away from the street lights, as I dont really know that many safe sites up the valleys, other than up the mountain which I will have to park up and then there is always cars passing, and even though I am not a scared person, I dont fancy being middle of a dead quite place where some idiot can knife me or something for my car or scope.

[kev 102 42]

where you live Anthony,im from Pontypool..........kev

[acharris77]

Hey, I live up the rhymney valley, Bargoed. The skies where I am can be OK for bright stuff, but the street lights dont help for the fainter stuff.

[kev 102 42]

not far from me then,you can come to one of our Brecon meets sometime............kev

[acharris77]

Sounds like a great idea Kev, have heard it is OK up there for observing. As long as I got Petrol money I will drive up there. Cheers.

[Talitha]

Congratulations on seeing M81, Anthony!

Have you tried draping a dark cloth (or towel) over your head? I realize LP is the main problem, but blocking stray light from hitting your eyes might let you squeeze another 1/2 magnitude or so out of the eyepiece.

Also, see if there's an astro group in your area. You could join the group and find someone to go observing with.. they might know of a safe, dark spot you could use.

[kev 102 42]

he can come to brecon with me,around the end of August, great dark skys we have a great venue to go to..........kev

[Talitha]

Ah, so i see, Kev.. sorry, i got distracted when posting and didn't realize you'd worked something out.. that's fantastic!

[Castor]

Very nice find, congratulations on that! =)

[ashenlight]

Congrats on bagging M81 Anthony it's a lovely sight isn't it know what you mean about light pollution affecting the view... I side with Carol about the dark sheet over your head, works wonders Also, averted vision... the astronomers best friend

Amanda

[Talitha]

"dark sheet over your head"

We must look a strange lot when we're behind the eyepiece.