We're had a good few clear nights over the last week or so, which is really frustrating because the telescope is packed away and we're staying in the caravan over the weekend whilst the builders are in at home. At least I brought my binoculars. I haven't really used them a lot over the last few years. I sat down at the front of the caravan after sunset and used the Moon to match the focus of the left and right sides. A fine crescent with Mars just below. Venus a few degrees to the North.
As darkness fell I moved round to the back of the caravan for a southern view. I had Stellarium on my phone on my lap to help with star hopping and I had already worked out that M5 is just north of a position that would form an equilateral triangle with Arcturus and Spica. My field of view is about 5° (double checked with Merak and Dubhe again tonight (not sure why, it hasn't changed!)) I pointed to where M5 is but it wasn't really dark enough to see much. The next nearest visible star to appear was Unukalhai (α Ser) I confirmed that with the curve formed by γ Ser, α Ser, a dim star and ε Ser. Hopping South to ω Ser then West to a pattern formed by 4, 5, 6 Ser and a couple of dimmer stars. M5 is a fraction of a degree North West of 5 Ser. I just made out the dim grey fuzzy after looking and waiting a little longer and with averted vision. It was the most fun I've had in ages!
With the June
I moved back to the rear for a go at M13 before packing up (work tomorrow!) With Deneb and Vega pointing to the Hercules key stone I quickly found M13. Just a bit brighter and twice the size of M5 it was a pleasure to see an old friend!
I've forgotten what a joy it is to survey the sky with just binoculars. I must make a habit of doing this more often!
Thanks for the target Alan.
Regards
Graeme