my first WOW moment in ages!

ive had a crummy atlas explorer 5" reflector ( borrowed) for a few months now, but never saw much with it. I recently got 3 2nd hand televue eyepieces (20mm 15mm and 8mm) , and for the first time, even with a full moon and clouds i saw M31!! it was very very vague, a patch of dim light, but i saw it none the less. my first wow moment since i saw saturn a year ago! now i cant wait to get my 6" scope!! im sure for you guys who have saw M31 many times , and in much more detail what i saw would be nothing, but hey, its my first viewing of Andromeda!!!!!

Andromeda is truly awe inspiring, 2 million light years away and getting closer.
I have spent many a night looking at it myself. I get most enjoyment looking at it through a 10x50 binoculars.

Like Kerry Stargazer I find it is better with binoculars. The Andromeda Galaxy was what got me back into astronomy almost two years ago.

Do spend time over it in the scope. I did once from a dark sky and was rewarded with views of its dark lanes.

Thats the thing with astronomy, there are so many "WOW" moments

www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31Page.html

Robert Gendler has taken some of the most stunning images imaginable of the Andromeda Galaxy. Astronomy Magazine called this image "one of the greatest astronomical images of the last 30 years". Not a bad accomplishment for someone running a 12½" backyard scope.

www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31NMmosaic.html
He took a second shot of M-31, but the first was the jaw dropper.

Rob Gendler would be considered amongst the best imagers out there - I've spent many hours surfing his site. All his images are jaw-dropping - as is his attention to detail and perseverence.

Andromeda is truly awe inspiring, 2 million light years away and getting closer.

There is a very neat article in S&T (I think?) about the impending collision between our galaxy and M31 .... it is a VERY interesting article!