It is after 3 AM, and I have just wrapped up my first long evening out back under the stars. It has been awhile since I've been out, and I had to spend some time reacquainting myself with the summer night sky. I waited until Jupiter cleared some trees, then spent a fair amount of time watching. Every once in a while, there were crystal clear moments. I was able to make out the two main cloud bands, and also some of the lighter colored tan ones. The four largest moons were clear, and I watch Io orbit around and disappear behind the largest planet in the solar system. At the end of the evening I returned to Jupiter and caught a glimpse of the Great Red Spot!
I also checked in with the two globular clusters in Hercules,
M13 and M92. The Ring Nebula and
Epilson Lyra, and Lyra were also on my list. I checked of the "coathanger cluster" (yes, it looks like a coathanger) and nearby M71.
Then I was surprised when I went for the Wild Duck CLuster, and ran into the
Eagle Nebula. I had never seen that before. This is the nebula that the famous photograph of the "
Pillars of Creation" was taken by the Hubble Telescope. All in all, and great evening to get back into the astronomy. I'm looking forward to some more!
I also checked in with the two globular clusters in Hercules, M13 and M92. The Ring Nebula and Epilson Lyra, and Lyra were also on my list. I checked of the "coathanger cluster" (yes, it looks like a coathanger) and nearby M71. 
Then I was surprised when I went for the Wild Duck CLuster, and ran into the Eagle Nebula. I had never seen that before. This is the nebula that the famous photograph of the "Pillars of Creation" was taken by the Hubble Telescope. All in all, and great evening to get back into the astronomy. I'm looking forward to some more!
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