August 27, 2010 – Cassiopeia – first approach

9:30pm-10:30, back deck

conditions:
no clouds, air is pretty hazy (can see the flashlight beam)
moon just past full
scope:
150mmx1200mm dob

objects observed:

Exploring some of the objects in Cassiopeia:
All objects found by star hopping – first successes in star hopping!

• M103    Open cluster – brightest stars make a triangle – reminds me of psylon invaders
• NGC 663    Open cluster – probably the best of the bunch tonight in cass
• NGC 659    open cluster – meh
• NGC 654    open cluster – meh
• NGC 637    open cluster – meh
• NGC 457    Open cluster – pretty good, almost as good as 663
• M52    open custer – pretty good

Skipped over to M13 – globular cluster in Hercules – was a bit faint tonight since the moon is so bright.

Followed a manmade satellite – looked on  Stellarium and it said ISS (Zarya) — the international space station!!!