First, thanks againt to Michelle for setting this up!

We had interesting conditions on Friday. Driving up there just before sunset there were a number of cloud patches looking like incipient thunderstorm clouds (but smaller) and there was a hint of monsoonal moisture. But, luck was with us. The clouds began to dissipate after the sun went down, and we had a marine layer creeping in below us (later on this began to suffocate the light dome from the cities, but unfortunately not until after most of the viewing was over). When I checked in Ursa Minor around 10PM, we had perhaps 5.2 magnitude in that direction (toward the worst of the light) and a good deal darker conditions to the west and south. Seeing was so-so; nothing to write home about but not bad either. You could not ask for better temperatures. It was pleasant and comfortable all evening, with only a hint of light breeze. It actually got warmer for a bit, then finally (just around midnight) began to cool down.

There was quite a number of scopes, from small refractors to 18" Dobs. I didn't manage to get to see a whole lot through the others, as we had enough of the public around to keep me more than busy most of the time at my own scope. Plus, tonight Sally was there with her BT-80 and starting to learn to maneuver with it and star-hop, necessitating some coaching.

As I usually do, I started on stellar spectra just as soon as a few bright stars (Vega, Antares, and Arcturus) were out. The number of curious people was more than I usually get, and before I knew it, it was past 10PM before the last of the spectrum-watchers were finally sated. Interest was high; many of them wanted to take repeated looks and view t more details on the absorbtion bands. Vega was showing 3 hydrogen lines, Arcturus was showing a few lines (hard to see, though), and Antares' spectrum was full of easily seen molecular absorbtion bands.

Interest waned after that over where I was. I had a couple of globulars set up to show (M22, M13) but little attendence. That was probably because I was spending time with Sally and thus my scope looked unattended. I also managed to sneak in quite a few looks through Jerry's Pronto. He was specializing in wide-field view items tonight, being able to get in the whole Andromeda galaxy in his 5-degree field, for example. If there was ever an observer who knows how to get the most out of a "little" scope, it's Jerry. He had many interesting items to look at, many not usually seen at star parties, and his repetoire was perfect for his instrument's capabilities.

Sally gained a fair amount of experience with the Telrad, and became more comfortable finding stars with it. She then did her first star-hop, from Antares to M4 and back.

Jupiter came up, and as soon as it did, we got interest again. This time a very patient woman with a battalion of small fry (5,6,8,9) in tow led the observing brigade. Unfortunately, the seeing was rather weak as Jupiter was near the horizon and only two bands were visible. The children were all suitably amazed at Jupiter, and the fact that Jupiter had moons of its own. Adults who stayed (it was past bedtime for the mighty mites, who had to go right after Jupiter) got to see Io pop out from occultation later on.

Later on, I stole looks at the Veil nebula in both Jerry's Pronto and an 18" Dob (both using OIII). The Pronto could and did show the entire circle of the Veil in one view, an impressive sight. The detail in the dob. was really, really fine: tendrils and wisps enough to compete with photographs.

The ranger came and shooed away the few remaining from the general somewhere around in here, and not long after a rumor went around our end of the area that we were all supposed to break down and go. This turned out to be false, but the breakdown was mostly already done by the time that was discovered. No huge loss...I was getting a bit of eyestrain by then anyway. The evening was a great success! Thanks again to Michelle, and all the other observers with their scopes!