"Len Philpot" wrote in message
news:ml%Lf.172802$WH.134009@dukeread01...

encouraging at all so far for KSP). Of course, there's one upside (I
guess) to all this cloudy weather - When it /does/ clear, I'm less likely
to be dissuaded from observing by local lights!

Ain't that the truth.

My local LM conditions aren't dismal, but the cloudy nights have been
brutal, the seeing has been terrible, and the clear nights are accompanied
by the moon more often than not. High power and dim fuzzies are sort of out
of the question visually from my yard.

I finally have taken my chances though (thanks AM) and permanenty set the
G-11 outside and got it polar aligned so that I can get out there on a
moments notice and do some imaging. I've also now got the grab and go
working nicely for low power "surveys" of the faithfully bright M objects.

For the first time, I feel a (successsful) Messier Marathon coming on, if I
can get a clear, moonless night next month. I was able to draw in NGC3189
and 3193 with the 6" F5, and M79 low on the horizon, so I'm hopeful I can
manage the entire M list.

(Btw, I would have no qualms about taking "only" a 6" scope to a star party.
Heck, I've taken just binoculars in the past.)