Amateurs, what project are you currently working on

I've done the Messier's and the Herschel 400. Working through the Planetary and Globular lists.

I'm currently more active in honing my astrophotography skills.

For the Messier, I used a 5" SCT that had setting circles (Celestron C5+).

The Herschel's I used a Celestron Nexstar 8 GPS. If you don't have a goto scope, you will need a larger aperture scope (anything 10" and up) to work the list and a good dark site. Even with the goto scope, it took me three years to get everything. Plan on looking at a lot of galaxies and honing your averted vision skills. Having something like an OIII or nebula filter is a huge help for the small, star-like planetary nebulae. The filter knocks out the stars, leaving the nebula behind.

Currently, I have a CPC1100. It's in an roll off roof observatory as a semi-permanent setup (wedge and pier mounted). That way I can leave the setup alone and concentrate on object acquisition.

I know folks who are working the H2 and 'galaxy groups and clusters' lists as well visually. But they are also using big boy scopes - 18" of aperture and up and go to ultra dark sites.

it sounds like you need a lot of money to join this conversation.

anyway i am currently pondering whether the solution to space flight rests in material/chemical sciences or design based sciences. it probably involves many sciences and thus i could never do it alone.. this cold realisation, coupled with my complete lack of funding, leaves me restrained to desire and an IQ that shames Einstein.. alas life is for living... so i ponder on.. and THAT is what i as an amateu am doing.

Planet X