New Session this Morning

[helicon]

In the expectation of good observing weather I set up the AR152 last night. I had some fun observing Andromeda, M32 and M110 as well as M33 (yes I was able to detect it in the scope). The Pleiades were also a beautiful sight, wonderfully framed in the 2.1 degree field of view. After about 15 minutes I decided to turn in for the evening - a little bit fatigued. However, I set the alarm for 5 AM and started observing again at 5:10.

Since the Spring constellations were rising I first checked out the Great Bear. I nabbed a couple of dim fuzzies in the bowl - two in the same field of view ( NGC 3998 and NGC 3982) and proceeded to follow the "pointers" to the position of M81 and M82. After a couple of minutes I got them both in the field of view and am happy to say I also was able to pick up NGC 3077, which last season was hard to observe because of a small increase in local light pollution - the dreaded streetlight on the corner across from my house. Moving over to the position of M51 I swept up the galaxy and NGC 5195 as a smallish bright knot of light. Moving over to a position near Chara in Canes Venatici (a constellation named by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century) I observed the duo of NGC 4485 and NGC 4490. Next came the Sunflower and Blackeye galaxies.

I noticed that Vindematrix was rising and Denebola was making its way across the sky so I pointed the scope to the midpoint between these stars and was stunned to count 12 galaxies in the same field of view, headed up by M86 and M84 as well as M87 (Virgo A). So my first observation of the Virgo Cluster this season. After that astronomical dawn came and I watched the sky slowly brighten. I went inside to grab the morning coffee and came back out and enjoyed the sight of the stars gradually fading away in the brightness. Very peaceful and almost a zen-like experience.

I am happy to say it was probably my best session in the past year.

Keep looking up - as one never knows what can see.

[Lady Fraktor]

An excellent report Michael, glad you enjoyed the time out.

[Bigzmey]

Virgo Cluster already?! Nice session Michael. I don't do them too often but I also find morning session most tranquil.

[John Baars]

I think morning sessions are by far the most thrilling ones. Thanks for you enthusiastic description of this feeling.

[Thefatkitty]

Thats great Michael! Nice collection of targets as well. I'm with you on the early morning observing. You're so right, very peaceful.

Nice start to your day, hope the rest is as good!

All the best,

[j.gardavsky]

A very nice and very successful observing session!
Michael, you have deserved it.

Glad to see how much you like your refractor,
JG

[bladekeeper]

Very nice end caps to a good night, Michael.

I always enjoyed morning sessions. Morning skies have been largely bad around here for a long while. Of course, the evening skies haven't been any better.

[Unitron48]

Nice report...great session, Michael! Congrats on capture of M33!

Dave

[helicon]

I'm pretty happy about the session as now we have clouds and rain in the forecast - started raining yesterday afternoon - first rain since May and we really needed it here in fire country.