The weather in Carmel Valley was glorious last night after midnight. I was thinking, earlier in the day that it was too bad the Moon was down -- all there was to look at were gray fuzzies.

I set up about 9 pm on the balcony and turned on the fan to cool the Mak. At about 10:00 I went out to view and first played with collimation on Arcturus. High clouds came in and it looked like that was the end of it that night. I put the caps on and went in to do other things.

At about 12:30 am I went out to bring the scope in, and the sky was clear and steady. At first I thought there were some clouds still around, but soon realized it was the Milky Way. First time I've been able to see it here this year. I'd forgotten how glorious it is. I spent some time wandering through it with 10x50 Minolta LXs. Then sent the LX200 on a quick scan through a few M objects. I was too tired and on my way to bed after a long day, but just couldn't pass up such weather. These brief observations are from memory.

M104 (Sombrero Galaxy) - could just barely see it through the light pollution over the vast metropolis and industrial complex of Carmel ;-) couldn't see a sombrero.

M102 (Spindle Galaxy) - easily seen. After looking, I checked the name and thought that it fit with what I saw. From it's 10.5 mag. rating I would have expected it to be fainter. Perphaps I have confused it with M104 in my recollection.

M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) - two faint, but distinct gray disks, no spiral arms.

I also looked at M101, and M63, but don't recall enough to report.

My memory of viewing these objects last year was that I couldn't see them at all and didn't bother with galaxies (other than Andromeda's) from home. I guess my time at star parties has helped me learn how to see faint objects better. Thanks to all those who have pointed things out.

I hopped to several globular clusters M5, M3, M13, M12, M10, M107, M80, and M14. I spent the most glob cluster time on M3, and M13 since some of the stars resolved.

Then I sent the scope to M8 (Lagoon Nebula) and M20 (Trifid Nebula). Here is where my LX200 wanderings stopped. The sights were truly glorious.