2025-07-17

• Condition: VG6
• Quality: 20.21 mpsas
• Location: Home, Spearfish: 44.49, -103.87

A little smoke haze in the air, but overall a very clear night. The neighbors all had their lights out too, bonus!

This was my first night really hitting true-dark from my backyard since I received the sky quality meter. It’s estimation of 20.21 mpsas was almost exactly what I predicted my backyard would be. At least now I can begin to track this to see how much light pollution I have at home as Spearfish grows.

10:31PM

• Target: M 11, Wild Duck Cluster
• Const: Scutum
• RaDec: 18h51m -6.16
• Type: Open Cluster
• Class: I 2 r
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 110x

An old favorite. I was glad to see it on my ALOC list of targets. The last observation of it was back in [[2024-07-10]].

M 11 is always a treat to observe. The dimmer stars were coming through in abundance tonight, even with out AV. The shape of the ‘flying V’ was evident.

10:49PM

• Target: NGC 6709
• Const: Aquila
• RaDec: 18h51m +10.20
• Type: Open Cluster
• Class: II 1 m
• Scope: AT102ED
• Setting: 110x

Lovely cluster. The concentration was apparent. I did not detect many fainter stars, but could see a few pop in and out during observation. Found west of ζ Aquilae.