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Josef, that picture of the parking lot looks a lot better than Keller did Thursday at about 4:30pm. At least there are open spots without ice. Been 2 days of 40 degrees and sun since then, so hopefully Keller will be better now. Luka did find a place to set up at Keller, so should be doable. If I knew Keller looked like your picture, I probably would have got out there last night. 🙂
Jeff
Hmm,maybe I will go to the Soccer fields then. I shoveled spot for few scoped in December as you may see at http://rochesterskies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_20181216_151946316.jpg and now is perfectly clean and safe
You could take a trip past Keller and see. It has been a couple of days, so may have opened up a bit.
Having my scope in the car, I went to Keller Friday night. It was still icy, but better, and I brought my snow cleats. The sound of rubber and metal on ice is, on the one hand re-assuring, and on the other, unpleasant. The cleats did their job perfectly, and I never slipped or even came close. The weather was clear, dark and warm. I brought my 8" dob, and several binoculars. I forgot how big the orion nebula was from a dark location. Also how many stars, clusters and even areas of the milky way you can see with the naked eye. I found M1, but it took some star-hopping. I saw a couple Taurus open clusters that I had never really paid attention to before. I forgot my finderscope, and only had the Rigel quickfinder, which made this harder. Same for m81 and M82. I did find another 15 or so messier objects, and gave some a quick peak, and lingered on others. I tried Mars but was very low in roiling atmosphere, and didn't see much. I did see a couple small quandrantids.
Another glorious night for astronomy.
Tonight 1/9, coming back to Rochester from Cities, I went again to junction of 100 St NW and 18 Ave NW southeast of Orinoco and I was able to see comet Wirtanen 46P by binocular 10×50 close to star Muscida in UMa, but looking at map, comet itself was in Lynx. Conditions slightly worse than Saturday, but still good, Moon was under horizon.
Saturday 1/5 I went to Soccer fields, it was clean, no snow or ice. I saw Mars, and several Messiers, but I was not too impressed. There is light pollution, and there was a little bit haze and that combination did not help. After a while, I decided to go out of Rochester by 18 Ave NW past junction with 100St NW. Sky was dark and beautiful. I was able to see comet 46P immediately by binocular 10×50, not far from M37,36,38 in Auriga and more. Later I went to west side of HWY52, close to Douglas trail and I would say there is more light pollution. Still nice dark sky, took few pictures of 46P.
On Sunday afternoon I went to check Keller. That parking was one big hilly ice ring. I am not sure if day before I would be able to observe. I continued to Root River Park, just to see it, and I think it could be promising observing place.
? Keller on Saturday night. So far weather looks good and moon will not be a problem. I'll check the parking lot today to see if any significant snow remains.
BobBob, did you get a chance to go out and look at Keller? What was it like? Looking at other places, would hope it wouldn't be too bad.
Or.. is Eagle Bluff a possibility this weekend?
JeffThe Keller parking area is clear and the skies were dark last night. Would think tonight or Saturday night between 8-11 pm would be good (although Saturday night might be a bit cooler and windy.)
BobWhere is Keller? I think that I am working until 8 or 9 tonight though, but still curious about where Keller is.
thanks!Hi John
Keller is in SW Rochester-Olmsted Co. Take Salem road (25) and go west past the road to Mayowood and past CR 104 until you see the sign for CR 15. Turn left and stay on 15 (you'll cross Salem creek and then the S fork of the Zumbro); soon after the Zumbro crossing you'll go uphill and at the top of hill on the left will be the Keller Wildlife management area entry point (there's a reflective warning banner that marks the entry). Check Google maps as Keller is shown reasonably well.
Bob
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