Even fewer opportunities

So far the new year hasn't been very kind at yielding any decent nights for attempting photography at a reasonable hour. The coldest winter period for several years hasn't helped either at maintaining peak levels of enthusiasm. On the positive side I have managed to fit an improved declination circle to the scope and a separate handle device which I hope will prevent me from hauling on the tube all the time which I felt might be causing misalignment problems. The temperature does now seem to be rising at last though the usual wind and rain is the price to pay. If any clear nights do occur, a bright moon will be a bit of a spoiler during the next few days.