Observing tonight?

[darkskyjim]

How long has it taken you to get 80 Luka?  I have my Binocular Messier, but soon as I get
my scope finished I'll start on the telescope one.  (Btw, found a tube and it was shipped today
so it won't be long 😉
Jim

[Dean Johnson]

It took me a year and a half to get all my Messiers done. Once I had that finished, it only took three months to get the fifty binocular Messiers.

I too, missed one (M28 in Sagittarius and had to wait a good while to finish the list. I didn't tackle the Virgo group of galaxies until nearly the end al well. I person should really go through those objects at least once a year.

I'm going out locally tonight, but later untill the Moon is setting. Good luck to anyone heading out tonight.

[Luka B]

Well with the new count, after the spring grove and Eagle bluff events, I'm at 97 Messiers with my telescope.  I haven't spent much time on summer ones yet. I'll need to spend a few more hours with them. I started in January with the telescope.

Looking at the messier club rules, it seems that there is no problem in getting the regular messier certificate with binoculars. You just have to record what optics you used.

[Rick Murray]

It's been two years since I started a serious Messier log. My last one is in Lepus.
I have the patients to wait. I can start on the Cadwell list.

Rick

[Rick Murray]

Got the scope out for a short time last night. Most of the observing was on the moon. It was showing the most intersting shadow I've see in a while. Even my son, Collin, was impressed. The sky wasn't the best last night. Saturn was a tough target to focus. I want to find a couple more galaxies in Corvus tonight, if it's clear enough. The moon might not let me.

Happy Hunting

Rick

[Luka B]

I was out in the back yard on Monday and Tuesday nights. Event though it was a bit cloudy, the moon shines though the faint wispy clouds pretty well, and its actually interesting to observe the changes. There was some great shadows. I also noticed that Tycho is much harder to identify with the terminoator right on it than any day later.

I also found M92 with binoculars.

I've heard that some people on the internet think that the RASC finest NGC's and a few other lists are more compelling than the Caldwell. And some things on the Caldwell list are there for scientific interest, and not visual ones. But I'll probably work in it too, fairly soon. The tough thing about finishing the Caldwell will be the southern objects that you can't see from Minnesota.

Rick, do you know where approximately the shadows were?

Clear Skies.

[Rick Murray]

I don't know the Moon that well yet, but it was 2/3 the way up on the eastern edge. I would have to draw it for you. Quite fun. NGC is a huge list…I have some targets aquired, but haven't recorded them all. I'll have to go back through my notes and start a list.

Happy hunting.

Rick

[Dean Johnson]

Hello Rick (and everyone). If you download the Lunar 100 list and follow through on that, it is a great way to learn the Moon.

I once was one of  those astronomers that was disappointed on seeing the Moon dominate the skies, but by doing the Double Star search of the Astronomical League's observing programs and also completeing the Lunar 100 list, I have come to have a better understanding our our closest celestial neighbor and now know how to make better use of moonlit skies.

I would urge anyone to go after the Lunar 100 and the Double Star Club. They will give you opportunities to get in a lot more telescope time and to expand your knowlege of observational astronomy.

Clear skies to all! 🙂

[Dean Johnson]

Hello astronomy fans. The Moon is due to occult Antares tonight for much of North America.

I don't know if we'll be able to see it because of the weather, but if we do catch a lucky break, try to observe it. The only chance most of us have to observe Antares B is when the Moon occults Antares. Antares B is Antares 5th magnitude companion, but since the primary is so bright we rarely see it. It is described as a "greenish" star, but it appeared white to me when I saw it.

I caught the occultation of Antares in March of 2005 and witnessed Antares B for about 5 or 6 seconds before the primary reappeared. It's a pretty cool thing to see.

[Dean Johnson]

Does anybody have a cloud filter? These soupy skies are really getting bothersome.

[Luka B]

I think those are just a little harder to come by than a Questar 12. 

[Luka B]

The CSC looks pretty good for tonight. I'm thinking of going observing. I had thoughts of maybe trying Chester Woods, but not set on that.
Clear Skies,
Luka

[rabomgaars]

Kind of late Luka, but I might go out to Keller.  Get a preview of what we will see on Wed or Thur.  B

[Luka B]

I am heading to Keller too, in a little while.

[Randy H]

Great transparency tonight, but a little twinkly. Was only out on my drivewary this evening, but the skies were pretty good. I am tweaking that equalilateral platform for the Dob…was able to hold M3 for 10 minutes at 170x. That will be helpful at outreaches.

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