We arrived shortly after 8pm to find the car park occupied with a mobile camper van, the owner asked politely what we were doing, and we explained that we were hoping to do some gazing and imaging assuming the skies cleared.
The skies were forecast to clear from 9pm, and it was looking hopeful after 21:30 when, large openings appeared all around the sky.
I suspected that the sky would be very transparent because of the amount of rain fall, during the past week. I wasn't disappointed. In the East where the sky was clear, the NELM was a good m+5.6 with the double cluster and messier 31 easy with the unaided eye.
I was able to take some fixed tripod, digital camera image's, using my Nikon D40. The image here shows the area surrounding Perseus and Cassiopeia.
Looking at this image, I think my camera shows promise.It is a wide field taken with my 18-55 Nikon AF lens set to 18mm and fully open, f3.5 with an iso of 800 and 1600.
Later, when the camera battery died (I've since bought two new ones) I decided to use the 10" and Mk1 eyeball.
The skies at 22:30 where not fantastic, and I was only able to make one observation.
Using my 24mm Pany with a Baader UHC-S filter, I was fortunate to see the famous Crab Nebula or M1.
Through the eyepiece M1 appeared as a bright, but flattened patch of grey light, in a rich star field. It has been said that M1 can been seen through 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars, and I have both, but I have never seen it.
The skies were getting worse towards midnight, so we decided to call it a night. It was a shame the weather couldn't have been more cooperative, but at least we did see something. And I was able to use my camera which was a bonus I suppose.
I just wish we could have a break from this persistent trough of low pressure. A cold front would be very welcome.
I'd like to thank Paul C and Ray S for there company last night. Better luck next time lads...
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