Hello Friend,

The pre-dawn skies can offer you some of the best visual observing you  can get 

I will qualify the conditions for thatin a moment.

I woke up at 4am today, and grabbed my  Celestron Inspire 100AZ  (on loan from Khan Scope for test purposes).

This telescope was reviewed in the March/April Issue of SkyNews Magazine as a good first  beginner's telescope and 
I wanted to see first-hand if this was the case.  (As it turns out, for under $400 Can. its excellent value all around).

This is something I do for most of the inventory we carry, as it determines what we will stock and offer to customers
since it's in our best interest to sell the cream of the crop and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Personally the idea of getting up at 4am and stepping out into -10c weather does not appeal to me (more like -15c with windchill)

  I did it and beholden to me were thousands of stars and a few planets.

My breath was taken away, as once again I was in awe of the night sky.

Now I am here on Manitoulin Island which is literally a dark sky preserve.  Having lived here for about of decade now
one really appreciates the convenience of being steps away from pitch black skies on a moonless night.

The sound of the ice shifting on the frozen lake has a very eerie sound to it. You can hear the power of the water beneath
the ice as it shifts and churns.

Here's the thing: I really appreciate how tough it is to do visual observing when you live in the city.

So the real key is to get under dark skies whenever you can.   Even a couple of nights here and there will keep you
inspired and prevent your gear from collecting dust.

If you have any tricks you use to get out observing, by all means let me know.   Getting motivated is not always easy.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Clear Skies,

Ray Khan

PS Use the discount code: SPRINGSALE for Free Shipping on any order $200 or over.  Offer expires midnight Sunday.