- New 15mm Televue Plossl EP (so now I've got a 32 and 15)
- Flocked Tube - Amy helped me apply the synthetic black velvety stuff to the inside of the scope to completely kill any stray light. Seems to work ok.
- Cooling fan - new fan mounted on the objective mirror (one on the bottom) is supposed to help get it to the right temp which helps in seeing.
- Milk jug washers on the base - these allow the telescope to pivot on the center and move very easily (way easier than stock). Makes minute adjustments less of a study in chip opening (narrow window of force between opening the bag and making it explode in a shower of chips).
80° and Humid enough to swim around. I took a chance and ran to Walmart to get a ThermaCELL butane mosquito repellant device. It's about the size of an old wall mount phone and emits some sort of odorless thing that runs them off (at least for 15' square). Seemed to work ok, but I got a few bites I know... maybe I should have given it 15 min to get started before diving in.
Spent some time looking at M57 - the Ring Nebula. Huge in the 15mm w/ the barlow in place (240x magnification) - man I wish I had a camera to show that off :)
the Summer Triangle is easy to see looking up at 11pm towards the East - formed by Deneb, Vega and Altair.
Since it was fogging on the moon I ended up looking at the Double Double in Lyra (two sets of double stars).
Man I can't wait till winter and less cloudy nights along w/ fewer mosquitos :)
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