Too darned light

[G4YVM]

Spent an hour getting to know my new 16" tonight, but alas the sky is so light there's not much I can find.

Mars was cracking, really bright and a lovely red. Im sure I saw some little men on a canal. No, kidding of course. But it looked fabulous.

I tried in vain for M81 / M82 but the lack of a finder and any real way of hopping, they eluded me.

I then tried my DSLR on the scope but to my dismay I havent got quite enough inward travel (my T mount is on a 2x barlow. I shall make up a new shorter tube tomorrow maybe, or at least start the design of it for the lathe at any rate. Disappointing but, hey ho, its a home made scope with just over an hours use, it was never going to be plain sailing!

Overall I am delighted...pin sharp stars and all on my own work!!

Mind you, my back is killing me from crouching!

I hope you all had better luck.

David