Alright, this is for sharing of your observation experience. Or, if you are arranging gatherings, star-gazing expeditions or just want some company to go observing together, you can shout it out here.
Attended the Calstar Star Party last week. Its held at a state park exactly 100miles (2hrs) drive from Monterey, and features one of the darkest skies in California. Skies there are just so wonderfully dark the entire skies takes on a grainy apperance and the Milky Way is a bright river arcing across the sky. Highlight of the night was again the veil nebula which shows photographic amount of details on my XT10 with 24mm UWA + OIII filter. Intricate details within the lace could be seen; only thing lacking was the colour Another big surprise was M31 which was always sort of a disappointment for me as its usually quite featureless. This time round however, the dark skies afforded views of its spiral structures that have me engrossed for more than an hour! Wish I could have stayed for more than 1 night!
The pics are taken during the morning when everyone is tired and have retreated into their cars or tents to escape the cold (<10C).
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We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
Another big surprise was M31 which was always sort of a disappointment for me as its usually quite featureless. This time round however, the dark skies afforded views of its spiral structures that have me engrossed for more than an hour! Wish I could have stayed for more than 1 night!