This weekend I had a very satisfying observing sessions. For the past few weeks I have gotten into trying some EAA without my reducer on the 8" SCT. Although it doesn't allot me a-lot of time for an exposure because it seems to pickup my mounts inaccuracies more so than when I have a wider field with the reducer, it was nice getting closer views of some of my favorite objects. Everything was just working great this weekend, including a nice collimation that was providing me with some very round stars. I also got a hang of the FWHM filter in SharpCap and can see it's benefit to ensure the quality of the stars the stacks are providing.

Although not a very exciting target, I like to try to find Pluto about once a year, and here it is on the 21st and again on the 27th to show it's trajectory across the sky. The only real way to be sure you've spotted the planet.

Pluto Trajectory - September 21st and 27th 2004

I was also able to take a nice closer look at my favorite open star cluster, M103 in Cassiopea. This one is always a gem and looks really great utilizing the complete focal length of the 8".

M103 (NGC581) - September 27, 2024

And just for fun, here is Neptune along with Triton (red arrow) right next to HD-224037.

Neptune and Triton - September 27, 2004

And finally here is a shot of M33. I forgot how small this target was and was not expecting it to fit in my FOV with the 8" since I'm usually imaging it with my Z61.

M33 (Triangulum Galaxy) - September 27, 2024