On the evening of April 17, members of the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club (SCAC) arrived at the old Eagle Rock fire lookout in the Santa Cruz Mountains. While there was some initial concern about the condition of the road, all present were indeed able to get to the observing location. During previous visits observers have set up at the very top of the mountain. While offering some gain in altitude over lower spots, there is the bothersome glow from San Jose to contend with. On this occasion, observers set up somewhat below the peak allowing it to block somewhat the glow from the valley. This seemed to work well although there was a scarcity of level ground. I was using my NGT-18 on this trip and also in attendance was a 16" Meade Dobsonian, a 14.5" Dob, a 10" Dob, and a couple of 8" SCTs. Since it was spring, I decided to do a little galaxy hunting. First on the list was M95 and 96, both showing some texture at 67x (32mm). The group of NGC 2872, including this galaxy as well as several fainter ones made a nice grouping at 196x (10.5mm). NGC 2911 and 2914 were a nice pair, shimmering at 93X (22mm). Next was the pair of NGC 3019 and 3020. While these objects did indeed look like galaxies (small, faint, fuzzy), the listed magnitude of 3019 is magnitude 15. While this was indeed a tough object, others present were able to confirm its presence. Of course the super nova in NGC 3877 was obvious at 93X. Moving on to brighter objects, the galaxy M61 was round with a stellar core. However at 196X, I saw what looked like differences in brightness in the outer edge. Has anyone else notice this? I reminded me of the view of M33. Returning to fainter objects, NGC 4292 was diffuse and had an irregular shape but 4365 was easy: big, bright, and round. M104 was well placed by this time. Using 196X, I thought I could detect irregularities in the dust lane itself. In other words, the lane was not even and straight but had various "bumps" in it. Being the inquisitive type, I next looked at NGC 4565. The dust lane was decidedly different. It also seemed that there was a startling difference in brightness in the arms (remember it's edge on). The core was bright, the area outward from the core was dimmer, and further out was dimmer still. It filled the field at 196X. To round out the evening I looked at M51, M3, and Omega Centuri. The last of the group to leave did so about 2 am or so. It was a very nice evening.

Now a little more about the sky conditions here. Using my chart of Ursa Minor (Little Dipper) I could glimpse with averted vision a star of magnitude 5.6. This was in the more light polluted area of the sky. The zenith was a bit darker and the south and west were fairly dark. I would say that Eagle Rock is darker than Montebello and Castle Rock and not quite as dark as Fremont Peak. When the fog comes in and covers the towns in the San Lorenzo Valley, it is somewhat darker. I thought the seeing was at least fair if not good. All that is needed now is a few loads of gravel for the road and this would be a nice spot for people in the Santa Cruz area.