Reasonably clear skies, Venus high and bright and about an hour from getting dark so, after negotiations with my Good Lady, dinner was delayed a little bit so I could set up.
This is the lightest sky I have experienced when observing Venus. As a result, utilising the X2 Barlow, 10mm EP and ND filter, the crescent was very discernible. There was a little too much high altitude haze for me to make out detail but the crescent was the best I have seen yet.
After 20 minutes or so, I put the caps on the optics and went in to assist with dinner. Once the cooking, eating and clearing up was finished I was back outside.
Venus was still visible but was behind a tree so I went hunting. Using Starlight and Stelarium I tried for M31 but, once again I failed. I have a feeling this is a combination of factors- light pollution in the early evening, impatience on my part and a struggle to get on with my stock guide scope that came with the SW 150P. I am beginning to wonder if a future purchase of an RDF would help....
Whatever- the scope came out and I got some observing in.
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