Mid-July Evening
Finally saw M57, the Ring Nebula. Using 7mm and 2.5x barlow (163x)
you could see it if you diverted your eyes. Otherwise, it was a
faint blur and very tiny as well as disappointing. But, not bad
for a 4" scope on a 9th mag object.
Finally saw M51, the Whirlpool galaxy. It was just as "Night Watch"
described it: "a double smudge in small scopes". Disappointing
none the less. It was so faint I passed over it several times.
The spiral arms could not be resolved.