[Chaos-l] Observing Saturday report

[E. Allen Davis]

a brief report on our observing session at Staunton River saturday night.  I met Jayme and Robert there after the Saturday CSC looked better than the forecasts.  I am glad that I went. 



i was a bit skiddish about what we would see, because as I drove (leaving at 530pm) I did see clouds to the west.  And when i arrived a bit before dark, there were clouds but broken clouds with some blue sky. 



So I set about setting up my refractor...with my big scope being out of commission with its mirror being recoated.  I got a really quick polar alignment, and was able to get up and running as soon as Polaris peeked out from behind some clouds.  Robert and jayme were already set up, but of course, with the Tak mounts, you need to see Polaris anyway, so I really didn't lose much time. 



we really had to pick and hunt between clouds the first hour, but after that, things would clear up nicely for a while and then maybe cloud for a while.  all in all, there was some nice sky and we were able to see some good views.  I forget sometimes what a great scope my 152 is, and frankly, i thought is outperformed its aperture Saturday.  The nebulae in Sag were nice, especially the Lagoon with the O3 filter.  M13 was resolved to the core.  M11 as always was a nice open cluster.  Through Roberts scope I enjoyed looking a a dim galaxy...and robert you'll have to remind me what it was, and we also enjoyed wide field views throught that scope. 



Probably the best view I enjoyed through my scope was the Veil.  Yes the Veil in a 6 inch.  I used my Leitz eyepiece which rendered a bit over 40x, and with the O3 it was SPECTACULAR (!).  Ive heard comments from some in the know supposedly, over the years, that the O3 can't be used in smaller apertures ..like a 8 6.  NOT TRUE.  it stood out well, and I could make out a good bit of detail in both the Eastern and Western parts.  what I call the "claw" was much in evidence. 



It was a pleasure using the IPAD with the setup wirless. 



And it was a pleasure observing with jayme and robert and having some visitors. 



Well, worth the trip up there.  I think it was the best bet ...the CSC at Medoc worsened as the day wore on, and it was better at SR. 



Looking forward to fall and seeing some of you folks that I haven't in months. 



allen 


E. Allen Davis 
 starstorm151 at embarqmail.com 

 "M'Illumino              "I am enlightened 
 D'Immenso"              by the immensity." 

   -Ungaretti               -Ungaretti 

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