Observing Log for Mike Durkin 4/18/02 7:30-9:00 NY Hall of Science Meade LX200 10" or 12", Binoculars, Astroscan Very hazy tonight. Saw Jupiter and the moon first. Then either Venus ar Mars low in the horizon and through some clouds. Finished up with Saturn. 4/11/2002 8:30-11:00 PM Jones Beach 4.5" Newtonian First observers Venus, which was very low on the horizon, and in the west so I couldn't easily identify the phas, although it looked about full After checking when I got home, the phase was about 95% full. Also observed Jupiter, which was easy to see, however due to the high winds, the views wasn't stable enough to see any details. I hope the beach isn't normally this windy. Also again tried to see M51 by starhopping. I think I had the area in my field of view, however I wasn't able to see it. After some feedback from some other members in AOS, it seems that this galaxy isn't not quite as easy to see as I had originally thought. Dark skies or a larger scope are required to see even the center.