Astro log: October 29th, 2010

Catching up on Astro Logs again...

Equipment: Orion Skyview 6 Deluxe EQ, 32mm, 25mm, 15mm eyepieces.

New objects observed: Messier 77, Messier 74, NGC 253 (Sculptor Galaxy)

Previous objects observed: Messier 31, Messier 32, Messier 110, Messier 33

New location! At Johnston Ridge Observatory, near Mt. St. Helens. Actually, when I got to Johnston Ridge, it was extremely windy. So windy I was having to brace myself against the high winds and was not confident that the wind wouldn't blow my telescope over. However, on the way back I checked one of those random viewpoints along the highway, and lo and behold one was not windy, so I set up there.

Notes: This was a nice area to go observe at. There's more civilization along the way here than the other Mt. St. Helens area spot I've tried, and the drive was pleasant too.

Was able to observe Messier 77 and the ever elusive Messier 74, said to be the most difficult of all Messier objects to observe because of its low surface brightness. Looked like a dim disk to me. Also observed the Sculptor Galaxy, which was easy and had a pleasing shape. For the hell of it, I did M31, M32, M110, and M33 as well.

 
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