2023-09-18

• Condition: VG6
• Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

Received the Orion Ultra-block 2" filter today! The night was clear so I decided to hit a few carbon stars and test out a nebula or two.

8:16PM

• Target: FO Serpentis[1]
• Const: Serpens
• RaDec: 18h19m -15°36
• Type: Star (Carbon)
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 30x
• Image: ../images/2023-9-18_FOSer.jpg[2]

Perfectly orange. Just north of M17

I attempted to view M17 with the Ultra-block since I was right next to it. The shape of the swan was more evident, and I could see a broader circle of nebulosity around the swan that I had never seen before! My next targets were the North American Nebula and the Crescent Nebula. However as soon as I was slewing the telescope to the NA Nebula, every neighbor around us began turning their lights on. I guess I'll have to continue my testing another night.

[1] FO Serpentis (ID)

[2] ../images/2023-9-18_FOSer.jpg