Looking out the window yesterday, as many TACOs noted, did not inspire
confidence that skies would be clear. But both the NWS and CSCs
agreed: FP would be clear from late afternoon until around midnight.
Furthermore, CSCs predicted good seeing -- a solid blue bar. So about
6 cars, 6 'scopes, and 6 people risked it.
Well, it wasn't perfect. Lots of dew; ah, the sounds of the season:
hair dryers and hand-squeezed bulb blowers. But otherwise, very nice.
Cold but nothing that normal winter observing layers didn't handle.
The seeing was perhaps not the best I've ever seen, but maybe in the
top 10.
I pushed the power up to over 750 on Saturn at one point...that was a
bit beyond the limit, but fact that I was tempted to try it may give
you an idea about how good the seeing was. I had rock solid views at
over 500X for extended periods of time. Gobs of detail everywhere.
I checked out Amphritite again, then comet C2002/T7. It was small but
nicely shaped. And very easy to find, right between Alpha Tri and M33.
Check this one out if skies clear again.
The rest of the night I spent going back and forth between the fabulous
views of Saturn and working on multiple stars (triples, quads, etc.),
using a list from the December S&T; I had done most of these before,
but it was a fun project anyway. Near the end, Jamie suggested that I
give up trying to split AB Sigma Orionis. I was wondering why I was
having so much trouble with it. Turns out I had misread the list and
was trying to make 5 out of 4. After that, I felt a little bit
stupider, but at least happy that neither my 'scope nor my eyesight was
completely broken.
We lost the sky totally at around midnight, just as predicted. But it
was enough.
Joe Bob sez: happy holidays, everyone!
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing.
http://photos.yahoo.com/