Messier 51: Whirlpool Galaxy

The evening started out mostly clear at around 7 PM. By the time I reached the DRAACO observation site, wispy clouds have taken over almost half of the sky. Visibility was on and off from clear, hazy, to cloudy. I used the September SkyMaps again but my intended targets were covered by clouds so I found these alternate targets instead. Sky conditions continued to deteriorate throughout the night. My finder scope did not dew up, thanks to my new dew shield.

Object #8: M51
Location: DRAACO, Orono, ON
Date/Time: Sep. 26, 2013 9:00 PM
Constellation: Ursa Major
Seeing: Poor with 50% cloud cover
Telescope: D=305 mm F=1500 mm
Magnification: 83.3 x @ 82° AFOV
Notes: Two distinct objects both faint and dark grey with brighter cores. One is larger. They appear to be connected.

Messier 51: Whirlpool Galaxy

On September 17, 2013, I officially started the pursuit of my Messier 30 certificate. It is an exciting awards program for astronomy club members and a way for amateur astronomers to keep track of their observations. The Messier 30 is the first milestone in AstronomyForum.net‘s certificate program. The Durham Region Astronomy Association also has one.

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