2022-04-25

• Condition: E6
• Location: Cabin: 44.31, -103.88

A very encouraging night. I hit all three fairly difficult targets.

10:00PM

• Target: M 109[1]
• Const: Ursa Major
• RaDec: 11h58m +53°15
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 40x
• Image: ../images/2022-4-25_M109.jpg[2]

Started off with M109 and spent a half-hour with it practicing various methods to 'eek' out more detail. Found that averted vision in different areas around the target really does help. I had my best luck looking just to the left of the target.

[1] M 109 (ID)

[2] ../images/2022-4-25_M109.jpg

10:30PM

• Target: M 108[1]
• Const: Ursa Major
• RaDec: 11h12m +55°33
• Type: Spiral Galaxy
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 40x
• Image: ../images/2022-4-25_M108.jpg[2]

M108 was barely harder to see than M109. Very similar in shape and size.

[1] M 108 (ID)

[2] ../images/2022-4-25_M108.jpg

11:00PM

• Target: M 97, Owl Nebula[1]
• Const: Ursa Major
• RaDec: 11h16m +54°54
• Type: Planetary Nebula
• Scope: ST80
• Setting: 50x
• Image: ../images/2022-4-25_M97.jpg[2]

M97 was the dimmest, but as with the other two, AV was barely needed.

[1] M 97, Owl Nebula (ID)

[2] ../images/2022-4-25_M97.jpg