Salinas last night

by Jamie Dillon

Following the good Dr Kingsley's prompt, I pulled my 11" Dobs into the backyard soon's I got home yesterday evening. When Saturn had moved up I sat and gawked at it on the edge of the Beehive. Thru the 9x50 finder, at 57x and at 210x the views were all fun and interesting. David was right, whereas with binocs or the finder Saturn looks to be outside the Beehive, thru the scope the starfield is more crowded than usual, and moves right into the thicket soon's as Saturn's on the edge of the field at 57x (1.2° field). Could easily guess that the close little stars were moons, but will have to check which star was Titan. I'm guessing it was the one to the West, only a guess.

Moved up to zenith to gaze at Castor. What a double. Moving the scope around at zenith it hit me why I'd gone to see Castor last night. 7 years and 4 days ago was the first time I went there, second double after Mintaka, 15 days after first light for Felix. Couldn't get it to split, which led to my first time ever asking a question on TAC. Got helpful answers, you can bet, one from that same Kingsley. More on this later.

Rarin' to go for 3rdQ...

Posted on sf-bay-tac Feb 09, 2006 12:54:33 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Feb 27, 2006 19:49:29 PT