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NGC 6118 is generally considered to be the most difficult object on the H400 list and it certainly was for me. I was unable to see the slightest hint of it, despite repeated attempts, through the 17 and 20-inch classical Cassegrains at the ASH Naylor Observatory and at a friend's private observatory with somewhat darker skies. I finally logged it at Stellafane ten years ago using Phil Harrington's venerable 8" f/7 Criterion Newtonian.

Dave Mitsky

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I always find it interesting when I see what is considered difficult. If NGC 6118 is considered the most difficult of the H400 then they are all possible with a 6" scope. I've seen NGC 6118 several times with my 6" dob. All of these were on nights of good transparency. It's that 6th mag star right next to it that makes it difficult.

It was back years ago when I was learning my way around the sky and would just open the page of my Cambridge Star Atlas and try to find everything on it. There were several nights of failure until on one great night I had success. Sometimes ignorance as to the difficulty of an object is bliss. Don't tell me it's tough, let me find out for myself.

I still often just open up an atlas to the meridian and go at it. I've found alot of excellent objects that way that I don't see on any list.

Bill

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6'' Orion SkyQuest
12.5'' f/5 Custom Truss Dob
William Optics 80mm ZenithStar II ED Doublet
f/5 25" newtonian on a giant GEM, any time I want

Observing sessions grand total for 2008, 121.
So far in 2009, 0

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