Astronomy Info

In May 2011, there was to be an observation session from the StAV. Only three people were there, one of whom had his newly homemade 40cm Dobson with him.  We fired up the the observatory, Saturn was a fuzzy blob, the orion nebula – well I don’t think I had ever saw it so poorly. We ended up going to my home and had a session til 3am with two large dobs.  It was a galaxy evening , just one after the other. Highlight  was NGC4565 a very long thin side on galaxy.

My friend Arnold's dobson was a reall treat. He designed it himself and despite its large primary mirror, was extremely compact. It was possible to view most objects whilst seated. Also the quality of the optics were very good. The one thing it lacked over mine, was the Digital Setting Circles, a sort of Navi for the heavens.

Also recently spotted were

M51,M81,M82, M97, M104

Saturn, with it's moons

Numerous galaxies in Virgo and Coma Berenices

NGC 4565, also photographed as it was so nice

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