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At this point we’re planning on tonight

Sorry I missed it. I had to choose a night for family and a day for astronomy and I picked the one that looked the clearest for astronomy. I hope I was right. Here’s what it looks like so far:

Will Eagle Bluff still be an option or should I head to Root River?

I’m glad you had a great night. I stepped outside a few times last night and it…[Read more]

It would be great to see the lighting ordinance implemented. We need it.

It was a glorious night for astronomy at Eagle Bluff, how Dean used to say. What a night. There was a Chinese space station -0.7 mag, then ISS -3.4 mag. Low clouds above the South horizon dissolved, and we could see Sagittarius very well. Several random meteors. Very attentive, curious and actually knowledgeable audience, 30 maybe even 40 people.…[Read more]

It did get better for tonight, but I’m thinking tomorrow looks better. I don’t think I can swing both.

The way I left it with EB, they will be prepared for us to be there either or both Friday or Saturday night.

It does look like possibly some clouds moving in later tonight, but right now looking clear tomorrow night. So maybe holding out for Saturday night makes sense.

See the 2024 Observing thread for info on Eagle Bluff observing.

Thank you Astromom for checking! It’s always good to have a mom around. 😁

I just noticed that clear dark sky has it turning cloudy tonight… but tomorrow looks totally clear. Do you think we should move it to tomorrow?

I hate to drive all the way there and get clouded out.

I have a code to enter the building and I plan to attend tonight Friday 9/27.

I just talked to Eagle Bluff. Even though it’s very late notice, the parking lot is available to us tonight and tomorrow night! I’m not positive yet if I’ll make it down. If by chance the staff didn’t get the lights turned off, go to the entrance to the dorm building (where the bathrooms are) and there should be a way to contact the staff. I have…[Read more]

Another good pic! Thanks for sharing!

Nice. Much shorter setup and all around more manageable I would suspect. I always liked my 8″ SCT and they are great for planetary imaging (and all other angularly small objects).

That should work nicely.

Today I am on the way to the Okie-Tex Star Party! I think Randy and Jerome are going to be there as well.
I am taking my new setup of the Quattro 6 inch f/4 scope and HEQ5 Pro mount and hope to get some nice pics.
I used this combo a few nights ago to get the below picture of the Helix Nebula. I was surprised by the large size and color that…[Read more]

well, i will let the entire rig go for $1200, not including eyepieces.
would be awesome for Okie-Tex!

My story today discusses something old and something new. I recently severely cracked the corrector plate of my Meade 10 in SCT while moving it. As corrector plates are not off the shelf items I haven’t found a replacement. This loss triggered me to do something with my old Meade 8 in SCT which was collecting dust in my basement as it has a…[Read more]

here is a list of other items 4 sale all in good to excellent condition;
1) Baader Hyperion 8mm Modular EP $100
2)Zhumell 2″ Widefield 30mm $35
3) Star Trak 2″ 30mm wide view plossl $80
4)Edscorp 1.25″ 6mm/12.5mm 2in1 Ortho $40
5)Celestron 1.25″ 7mm Ortho japan $50
6) Celestron 1.25″ 15mm plossl Taiwan $40
7) Tele Vue 1.25″ 15mm plossl like new in…[Read more]

I’ve been getting familiar with my new setup of scope and mount (Quattro 150P and HEQ5 pro respectively). Below is my attempt of M33 a popular target for amateurs and professionals. It graces the cover of the November 2024 Sky and Telescope and is a tempting target this time of year.
The photo below is 251, 5 second frames stacked with ASI…[Read more]