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I got to the Flatin Farm and set up around 7:30 p.m. The first star I saw I thought was Arcturus, but it turned out to be Jupiter! Boy am I ever rusty, astronomy-wise.
Then Stup showed up, I told him about my goof and we just looked at the gorgeous clear sky and watched as all the 1st mag. stars popped out (Arcturus, Sirius, Procyon, Capella, Aldebaran, Regulus, Betelgeus and Rigel, then the Belt of Orion and finally Spica. Mars was the 2d most obvious thing after Jupiter. It was wonderful, almost like coming home after being gone for a while. 🙂Jupiter had a nice spread of moons, all 4, 2 on each side. Mars had obvious surface features and a tiny polar ice cap! 1st time this opposition that I could see anything other than a bright pale orange disc. Steve made his initial foray into the Virgo group of galaxies and not suprisingly had a tough time of it, just like I did back in 2004. The wind was gentle to start with, but kept increasing as the night went on. We saw an ISS pass at 10:06 and watched as it faded just above us at the zenith. The horizon shadow had crept that high. Stup spotted it, or I wouldn't have, because I was checking my star chart for V Corona Borealis.
I had a long, unsuccessful search for V Cor-Bor, but managed to pick up VY Ursa Majoris. It was obvious, but pale orange red, not a dark intense red like some carbon stars. Watched Moonrise just before midnite, then packed up. Very windy by then. Still it was definately AGNFA!! 8)
Eagle Bluff tonight, anyone? The parking lot is dark, it's ours and the CSC looks really really good. I've also got the code for the bathrooms.
The weather's nice! It would be a good way to have a RAC star party and celebrate spring.
I'm getting ready for a trip so I won't be able to make it. I'll be back next weekend though (hopefully the weather will be nice).
Have fun whoever gets out tonight.
Anyone planning on stargazing this weekend?
I was thinking on going out to Keller for a few hours. Sat. looks to be the better night, with moon not up until 11:30…We've got Syttende Mai in Spring Grove this weekend, so probably no stargazing for me. Queen's Banquet tonight (Laura gives up her 2d Attendant crown – sniff 🙂
Parade tomorrow, Brat Stand work, thankfully no bartending for the first time in 21 years, so the only chance I'll have is some sidewalk astronomy Saturday night.However, Eagle Bluff is open for the next two weekends. Dawn told me that they will have two groups there, but they are doing night events and the parking lot lights
will be off for us.I told Dawn about the possible meteor shower/storm on the night of May 23/24 and that really caught her attention. Let's hope it comes to fruition.
Jeff: I am planning on heading out around 8 p.m. to set up a tarp(block the farmer's light). Don't know if it will help or not…
Ok Bernie. Guess you'll be out there pretty early. I think sunset about 8:30. The CSC doesn't look that great, but the hourly on weather.com has it clear at 9PM. So I guess we'll see. I'm thinking of going, but will see what it looks like this evening.
CSC looking a lot better now after the mid day update. Looks like I'll be heading out to Keller for sure now. 🙂
I met Jeff N. out at Keller WMA about 9p.m. (he was already asleep in his lounger). Beautiful evening with clear skies and light winds. The evening began with an impressive iridium flare which was -4 mag, but sure seemed brighter than that. It lasted a good 5 or 10 seconds.
As darkness fell, we proceeded to train our scopes on the planets. I was impressed with how good the "seeing" of Saturn was at 9:30, given its low angle on the horizon. The other planets were also quite nice to view.
Next, we checked out the Leo triplets(sounds like someone Fonzie dated from Happy Days :D) , M81,82, the Sombrero galaxy, and a few others that I can't remember off the top of my head…
We took little breaks here and there to discuss the local fauna that were quite vocal(barred owls, whippoorwills, coyote, and possibly Elvis), and also pondered the reason why the DNR had cut down most of the trees along the road, which now let in the passing headlights and the farmer's yard light from across the road.
Next we checked out of few globs, including M13, M92, and a 3rd that I can't recall. Finally, we turned our attention to the SE horizon, as the moon was due to arrive. It was quite striking as it rose behind a stand of large trees, which were just beginning to bud. We did notice, however, that the quality of the atmosphere had deteriorated, restricting the best viewing to binoculars or naked eye viewing.
It was a fairly brief but very enjoyable evening, and I hope for good weather next weekend to do it again 🙂
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