Hi,

Last night 7/11/02 I finally found m81 and m82. I had been looking for those 2 galaxies for some time. I knew where they were supposed to be, but the weather here in the Northeast has been so humid noithing much could be seen except for very bright objects. I was doubting my scopes ability to bring in M objects except for the ones of high magnitude. I had been assured that a 114mm reflector could do the job.

Last night was a clear night with very low humility. I panned my scope to the North after locating the Big Dipper and soon I noticed two smudges in the fov. I had finally found the galaxies.

I spent much time going from a 40mm to the 25mm. fooling with the focus etc. The best view was with the 25mm and adverted vision.

I next went to the Milky Way Galaxy in the vacinity of Cephues. I was amazed at the stars to be seen.

I was about to go in when I gave in to the impulse to locate one more M object. I knew where M53 was supposed to be, so I turned the scope the to Western protion of the sky and went on the hunt. In just a few minutes I had found the cluster. It looked like a white finger print on the ep.

All in all a great night.


Later

Lenny
g