Gosh it's been a long time since I've been out observing. With a combination of terrible cold weather and being busy with work I've missed out on so many observation chances that I feel out of touch but tonight was my first proper night out this year. It was a short night due to feeling tired and a biting cold but what a memorable night it was.
The weather during the day was great. Perfect winter sunshine with stunning blue skies and air so clear that views into the distant horizon were as clear as you can get. Night time condition were just as good with very steady skies and good transparency.
Location = Parents back garden
Equipment = EQ6 Pro and Orion 10"
Seeing = 4/5
Trans = 3/4
Start Time = 20:03
The observations for the night are as follows:
Mars = The view under the UHC-S filter was nothing short of stunning beyond words. Super detail could be seen with the northern polar cap standing out so brightly and other details of the surface were very sharp. Without a doubt, one of my best views and a thrilling way to start of another year of observing.
M42 = A breath taking view with so much detail to absorb and study. The trapezium was pin sharp amongst the gorgeous velvet and contract rich nebulosity of the nebula's heart. An exceptional view.
M78 = Not my best of view of this reflection nebula but some nebulosity was easily seen around the two stars that appear center of the nebula.
NGC 2194 = A faint but rich open cluster that look very pretty under high power.
NGC 2252 = This open cluster is very unusual in that its shape seems to resemble something organic like a snakes body. The stars are somewhat faint but still a very fun and different object to look at.
M50 = A great open cluster that is large in the eye piece, covering most of the FOV, and with stars of varying magnitude adds to the pleasure of the view.
M35 = Without a doubt, one of the finest and most beautiful open clusters up there. A feast of stars to bathe your eyes in, a view that never tires.
M97 = A very good view with strong nebulosity and the dark hollows were also easily seen with AV.
Finish time = 21:00
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