Some naked eye and bino observing

[helicon]

Since we are starting to move toward the Fall season, the sun is rising later and later. For example, I woke up early this morning (5:00 AM). I expected a foggy morning (which has been the norm this summer) but instead as I headed out to the deck to check out the skies, I saw that everything was clear - there was Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Auriga, as well as the Pleiades. To the southeast, Orion was rising. Scanning the horizon I noticed that it was very foggy, but somewhat below the elevation on the ridge where I live. As a result, the thick fog was almost opaque and blocked the lights of the cities around the Bay Area.

Putting on my glasses and gazing near the zenith, I could see the Milky Way. How about M31? Inspired a bit by realflow100's report I could see it as a direct observation object, no need for averted vision. The last time I was able to see it naked eye from home was several years ago. So the darkest skies in years.

What about M33?

I gave it a shot in its position off to the side of the triangle of Triangulum using averted vision, but it eluded my efforts. Grabbing the 15x70's I quickly swept it up as a bright oval patch, since it usually is invisible in the 15x70's, or very fleeting at best, I was pretty happy. I also examined the double cluster, and noted some individual members were resolved. M42 was bright and structured. Gazing high up in Auriga, I noted M36, M37, and M38, as bright smudges.

Astronomical dawn kicked in at about 5:30, so it was time to head inside for a morning coffee.

Definitely an interesting and rewarding morning....

[KingNothing13]

Sounds like a great sky to look at Michael! Thanks for sharing.

I believe I've seen M31 Naked Eye once at a star party on the the highest peak in Mass. Very dark up there.

[John Donne]

A great early morning outing Michael !
Thank you.

[Bigzmey]

Best way to start the day Michael! Coincidently, I was wrapping up my morning session at Anza, when you started yours.

[John Baars]

Great way to begin the day with. Very satisfatory!
Thanks for your report!

[Peter802]

A good early morning was had then Michael.
A good session.

[kt4hx]

Nice Michael. I recall you mentioning previously that when the fog is below your elevated residence, it masks the city lights rendering your sky darker. It is great you could take advantage of it for a rewarding experience.

[j.gardavsky]

Since we are starting to move toward the Fall season, the sun is rising later and later. For example, I woke up early this morning (5:00 AM). I expected a foggy morning (which has been the norm this summer) but instead as I headed out to the deck to check out the skies, I saw that everything was clear - there was Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Auriga, as well as the Pleiades. To the southeast, Orion was rising. Scanning the horizon I noticed that it was very foggy, but somewhat below the elevation on the ridge where I live. As a result, the thick fog was almost opaque and blocked the lights of the cities around the Bay Area.

Putting on my glasses and gazing near the zenith, I could see the Milky Way. How about M31? Inspired a bit by realflow100's report I could see it as a direct observation object, no need for averted vision. The last time I was able to see it naked eye from home was several years ago. So the darkest skies in years.

What about M33?

I gave it a shot in its position off to the side of the triangle of Triangulum using averted vision, but it eluded my efforts. Grabbing the 15x70's I quickly swept it up as a bright oval patch, since it usually is invisible in the 15x70's, or very fleeting at best, I was pretty happy. I also examined the double cluster, and noted some individual members were resolved. M42 was bright and structured. Gazing high up in Auriga, I noted M36, M37, and M38, as bright smudges.

Astronomical dawn kicked in at about 5:30, so it was time to head inside for a morning coffee.

Definitely an interesting and rewarding morning....

Hello Michael,

the DSOs for the naked eyes (I mean unaided eyes) are rewarding and inspiring.
They are also a perfect training to push the vision to the limits.

The Triangulum Galaxy M33 is not frequently seen with unaided eyes from my location, nd when, then I am feeling very happy, and start hunting the most fifficult DSOs.

Clear skies,
JG

[helicon]

Nice Michael. I recall you mentioning previously that when the fog is below your elevated residence, it masks the city lights rendering your sky darker. It is great you could take advantage of it for a rewarding experience.

It tends to be a summertime experience when there is a high pressure inversion that keeps the fog from rising to my perch. The effect is even more pronounced on some of the higher peaks around here such as Mt. Hamilton (Lick's location) and Fremont Peak - which southbay amateurs often visit.

Thanks Alan.

[Makuser]

Hi Michael. A very nice early morning naked eye and binocular observing report. It looks like you had a decent sky to work with, so I am glad that you had this opportunity to enjoy this session. Thanks for your fun read report Michael, and keep looking up.

[Bigzmey]

Nice Michael. I recall you mentioning previously that when the fog is below your elevated residence, it masks the city lights rendering your sky darker. It is great you could take advantage of it for a rewarding experience.

It tends to be a summertime experience when there is a high pressure inversion that keeps the fog from rising to my perch. The effect is even more pronounced on some of the higher peaks around here such as Mt. Hamilton (Lick's location) and Fremont Peak - which southbay amateurs often visit.

Thanks Alan.

I get a night or two per season when marine layer moves inland and blocks the light from Temecula and Riverside light domes. The sky in Anza gets absolutely fantastic! I wish it would happen more often.