Wow !! Last night was wonderful. I was in the backyard obs from 7:00 until about 2:00 AM this morning. Thin clouds came in about 1:15-1:30. Saw them first in the southern skies. But I got lots of work done on my Messier galaxy comparison project. I have now re-imaged all 40 of the Messier Galaxies using a 6 frame stack of 2-min guided exposures. This is from the back yard obs (DaHut). The observation sheets are all prepared too. Over the next day or so, I will get all of the images processed. The next step will be to re-image again, but from a “dark” site, such as the one I have found N and W of Superior (closer than Antenna, good for camping, and DARK DARK DARK Measures 21.5 on the SQM – at the house, from inside the obs, I measure 18.5. My 18.5 at the house is “sort of” cheating…. I take the reading from inside the obs. If I were to step outside, and a couple of steps away, the number goes down “a bunch”….. Anyway, after I re-image again from a dark site, I will finish the observation sheets, which will show both Tempe image, and dark site image. Should make a nice comparison. Maybe a neat presentation. Would only use 4 or 5 of the most dramatic, and not all 40 – they will be on the website for anyone to see. Weather not too good today…. BUT…… Wed and Thr look pretty good. Showing a forest of “0” clouds. Then rain for a couple of days. The Messier is “almost” in the 10 day window…… hope it clears up. David M. Douglass dmdouglass@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (secondary) david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (main) Cell (602) 908-9092 -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.