The weather for the last week here has been fantastic. As a bonus, I took delivery of a new telescope, a Zhumel, 10" dob. I have been able to make several trips this week to my (semi) dark site. So I far, I am quite pleased with the new scope. The scope came with a corrected image right angle finder scope, which I have replaced with a regular finder scope. I have used a straight through finder for many years and I find it superior to the right angle design for just about all circumstances except for look straight up. The other accessories that came with the scope, a two speed Crayford focuser, built-in primary fan and a laser colminator, have all proved to be nice additions to the scope.
So here is a list of what I have been observing over the last week:
- Open clusters in Cassiopeia (M103, NGC663, 659, 654 and 457) NGC457 is quite noteworthy as it has an unusual shape and includes 34-Cas, a wide double. The shape of the OCL looks like someone standing with their arms outstretched with the bright double being the eyes.
- M33 - galaxy in Tri - This was still a tough target as the spiral is face on and the surface brightness is low.
- Variables (WZ and W in Cas, W and U in Her) Yes, I am a variable star junkie. I enjoy the star hopping to find these "old friends"
- Uranus - this was the first time I have observed the planet. With a close proximity to Jupiter, it was really easy to find.
- More Messiers - (M6,7,8, 13, 22, 28, 31, 57 92, and 110) The new scope really showed off M57, The Ring Nebula in Lyra. The added aperture really helps improve the contrast .
I know I said the weather has been fantastic, but there is one problem still and that is the humidity. Dew becomes an issue by 10 or 11 pm with everything becoming absolutely soaked. II am looking forward to the Eldorado star party in West Texas where the humidity will not be a concern.
Clear skies;
rw
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