However, having just seen most (70) of the Messier Objects with a pair of 8x42 binoculars which was a project brought on by financially-induced scopelessness a few years ago, I have decided to have a bash at the Herschel 400. I have probably seen a lot of the Herschel 400 anyway (I'll have to dig out old notes to be sure) but observing them with the 12" will be a fun project. I want to re-observe previously seen stuff with the 12" anyway and I daresay this'll pick up quite a lot of Herschels.
I have the Astronomical League book 'Observe the Herschel Objects' (I also have their 'Herschel II' book) so, using that as a reference, this will be an ongoing project. It's going to take me quite a long time to complete because of the UK's crappy climate and also other commitments getting in the way of observing.
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The Telrad dew heater arrived this morning and I discovered a bit of a snag. I need to buy a dew controller to make it work. Bollocks!!! Oh well, I need one anyway for my refractor, so when I'm a bit more flush, I'll get one (they're around £45).
