21/8/06 - Shortish Report NEW OBJECTS!

[Kain]

I managed to get out for about an 90mins tonight (though scope was out longer cooling)

The first non telescopic object I found was Iridium 31! My first IF

Anyway my first target was M31, this time though mainly M110 and M32, this faint fuzzies are pretty cool really, there the only other galaxy's I have seen other than M31 lol!

Next up was a new object for me, M76, the Little Dumbbell! After about 5 mins no less I found it! I basically found Persei Phi (think that what it is, Greek alphabet..neh!) and just moved north a little. There is was! A tiny glowing smudge! With the 10mmEP, I could see it was a apple core shape. It wasn't till I just looked now that I found out its called the mini dumbbell neb. I'm quite pleased with myself with that!

After spending a little while with M76, I decided to look for M56. This was more tricky for me, though I used Alberio to star hop to it. I eventually found it! little disappointing really, it's only a tiny cluster. Then again apparently M13 is the biggest in the northern sky, so there not all that good. Still I can put it in my messier catalogue that I have seen it!

Next up was the Double Cluster in Perseus, for some reason I could look at this for hours, you kind of get lost just staring into it.

from there I had a look for the dreaded M81/82...STILL CAN@T blumming FIND THEM!! I will be honest guys, I got a little frustrated with it, I have been trying to find that since I got the Tasco. It will come to me one day lol.

By now there clouds and the dew were ganging up on me. however for the short time I was out there I really enjoyed it. M56 and M76 bagged, quite pleased with that.

Rog, I went out before I read your reply, so I will look for what you suggested the next time I go out!

Kain

[Kain]

Just to add to this, I have just come back in from 2nd time viewing tonight, this time though with a tiny telescope..you will laugh...My finderscope off the Dob lol!

M45 bagged, bolldy coulds was covering Orions belt! So mate that 3 new Massiers tonight, mind you I have seen M45 loads of times even before having a scope!

Kain

[daz]

Kain

Wait till you see the Double Cluster through a 2" EP - awesome. Many people get a 'space-walk' feeling of falling into the view (in fact some do actually fall over).

Have you spotted the red star between the two clusters? A real beauty

[Kain]

Hiya Daz

I do use the 2" to see the double, it's quite amazing.

And yeup, I spotted the red star!

Kain

[daz]

Have you fell in yet???!