Friday night January 31st 1997
6:30 pm Saturn with barlow & Nagler 7mm (159x) MUCH BIGGER!! Everyone was impressed (Ruth & Maury). Excellent observing conditions! It had warmed up to about 40-45. Seeing was great for the first attempt at the barlow (it came this afternoon). Clear & dark (Moon not yet up). Titan was on the left (through the Astroscan anyway) for the first time (for me).
7:00 pm M42 Orion Nebula - Great view. Nice dark background. M44 Beehive - first view through scope. Nice. New constellations: Cancer & Leo
10:00pm M42, looks great, even through barlow with RKE 28mm & Nagler 7mm. M31 too dim in that part of the sky at that time.
Footnote:
I've been trying to see Hale-Bopp again ever since seeing it last week. No luck! It's either cloudy or the moon is too bright (or got up too late?).