Cherokee wrote:

SA2000 was intimidating when I first opened it. The
maps are very dense and the constellations are not drawn in.

I recommend drawing in constellation lines with pencil. It's
a somewhat time-consuming exercise, but you'll be learning
the sky while doing it.

Izar: I was unable to split at any magnification with my Pronto.
Nigh****ch book states you need a 4" or larger scope to split.

I've tried and failed with my Ranger several times. I think this
is *just* within the realm of possibility, but it would require
a night of excellent seeing, with Izar near the zenith, and
using very high magnification -- something like 150X - 200X.
40X would be *way* too low with any scope.

M3: Globular cluster (globs of stars??). Basically a glowing smudge
against the background. ... This was a tough find.

Yes, M3 is pretty easy to see, but it's *quite* far from any bright
star. A very exacting star-hop. The big, easy globulars right now
are M13, M92, M2, and M15. And M22 shortly after sunset.

M53: Looked very hard but never found it.

You'll have to wait until next year. It's actually little harder
to see than M3, but all the cards are stacked against you; it's
already *very* low at the end of astronomical twilight. Whenever
possible, look for things when they're at least 30 degrees
above the horizon.

- Tony Flanders