tuckstar Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) So I'm staying at a friends in fife and managed to bring the scope along. Last night was one of the clearest nights I've seen for a long time, and the skies are nice and dark. Found a car park, unfortunately the local kids use it at night for what ever it is they do in dark car parks at night, but no problem and just shut my eyes when they came past. My friend has an interest in astro and thinking of getting a scope so a quick gander at the usual suspects, double cluster, M13, M57, M27 and andromeda just as a taster. A good few persieds and Milky way clearly visible as well. He was very happy and went off home to bed as he gets married today. I made that mistake 2 years ago, so I got to stay out ☺. So next was the blue flash nebula, little dumbbell nebula and globular clusters M15, M2, ngc 6934 and 7006 in delphinus, M71, M72. Then some galaxies, M51 looked the best I've seen it and after some time at the eyepiece the dust lanes were starting to come out, even at 22° alt, the same for M33 and M101, just amazing. Then on to M81 M82 again plenty of details, and also got ngc 3077 a 9.9mag spiral in ursa major. But the highlight for me was my first glimpse of the western veil nebula, and i dont have any filters. So come 2am it was either more clothes or come home. No brew kit so I called it a night, but could happily been there till sun up given a chance. An amazing part of the country when it is clear, when! So dark even with the local quaker oats factory blazing out light to the south. Shame as the southern horizon was washed out. Edited August 16, 2015 by tuckstar Johnnyaardvark, BAZ, +Ibbo and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 I know that spot well, as I stay near there frequently with work. The view on a clear night is pretty good apart from the distant glow from Edinburgh. Last time I went up at night was to try and catch the aurora, without success unfortunately. tuckstar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Sounds like you had a cracking night Andy, When you get a good one it all becomes worth it. tuckstar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Glad you had a nice session at a dark site. Bagged lots of good stuff from there, including some elusive planetary nebulae and galaxies tuckstar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Nice one Andy, certainly sounded a good night. tuckstar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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