Messier/type:	M70 / globular cluster
mag/dia/dist:	7.8 / 8' / 35,200 ly
constellation:	Sagittarius
date/time/place:	May 24, 01 / 02:49 / bangkok
trans'y/seeing/l-poll:	fair / fair / medium
telescope:	newtonian 4.5" f8.8
eyepieces/power:	25mm / 40x
sky atlas page:	22

start at Kaus Australis hop to two stars mag5.5 in north-east direction. M69 locates at the top of imaginary right triangle comprise of two stars mag5.5 and M69 itself. It couldn't be seen in finder scope but clearly appeared in eyepiece.
M70 locates nearly the same DEC as M69, but RA difference 17 minute to east direction. Refer to Messier record "Nebula without star close to the previous one (M69), and on the same parallel..". The same parallel is the same Declination. Swing RA axis to east while locked DEC axis, slowly scan the sky at eyepiece until reach M70. (I haven't try to use setting circle method yet.) This technic is mixing of star hopping and setting circle method which very useful in poor bright star area. At eyepiece, M70 appeared as very faint, round, small, no clearly nucleus, image didn't stable depend on seeing condition. There are four faint stars aligned in straight line in north direction close to M70 (under M70 as sketch shows south up)
Refer to text: Medium concentration of stars, bright, large, round, extend 130 ly. Home

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