1 Sept 2023

[Mike Q]

Had a impromptu outreach here at the house. The challange see as much as possible before the moon came up. The XX16G was set up and off we went.

I started with the Lagoon, Triffed, Omega and the Eagle Nebulas. I had a OIII filter in a ES 24/82 and while the skies weren't really dark enough the nebula showed up good enough to make a good showing. While I had a filtered eyepiece in i sent the scope off to the dumbbell. So much better as i was basically pointing almost straight up.

Since i was in the general area the Ring was next. I swapped out the ES for a Long Perng 20mm 80 degree and off we went. In a 16 inch no adverted vision is necessary and looking directly at it is a piece of cake. I know it shouldnt be possible but i swear i can see the remnets of the star in the center.

By this time the moon was coming up and I had time for one or two more. M13 is always a crowd pleaser and delivered as always. I made a attempt at M81 and 82 but the moon was already blowing them away. The only galaxy I was going to to be able to show them was going to be Andromeda. Despite the moon it was still very visible.

I grabbed my variable eyepiece and variable polarized filter set to max light reduction and off to the moon we went.

Finally it was Saturns turn. She was finally out of the soup and in decent air. The 8.5/82 degree eyepiece gave me just over 200x which pleased everyone.

Dew was always an isssue but the brand new Orion Dew Zapper system did it's job. It even cleared the filters off that dewed over when i got them out of their case.

We wrapped it up around 11pm, all in all not a bad night at all.

[messier 111]

this seems to have been a busy evening, good for you guys, thx.

[Unitron48]

Nice session...on a Moon filled night!

Dave

[Mike Q]

this seems to have been a busy evening, good for you guys, thx.

Run and gun astronomy.... i am pretty good at that when i have to be lol

[Mike Q]

Nice session...on a Moon filled night!

Dave

I still find it amazing just how much the moon wipes out.

[Graeme1858]

Sounds like a good time was had by all Mike!

Did you attract a large crowd?

Graeme

[Mike Q]

Sounds like a good time was had by all Mike!

Did you attract a large crowd?

Graeme

Just two people. But that is two more then i normally get out here in the boondocks

[Bigzmey]

Nice session Mike! I am sitting here, waiting for a break in the clouds.

[Mike Q]

Nice session Mike! I am sitting here, waiting for a break in the clouds.

It seems Ohio's best skies come in August. For whatever reason that hazy, hot and humid month tends to give us very good skies. I need to get out whenever I can now, because come November the clouds roll in for the winter.