| Reports | TAC | Join mailing list |
by Jamie Dillon
Sunday night was set for Cone Peak, but still I couldn't wait out Saturday night, so I just took the binocs, figuring that would get me home before the next morning. Worked out even better than planned. Four of us ended up playing with binocs a chunk of the night. Nilesh had just brought his binocs, and Czerwinski and Zeiders were stretching out their motion-correcting handhelds. Some machines.
Mine are an heirloom now, but with good optics, Swift 7x50's. Jack Zeiders was back on the Peak after a stretch off, first time meeting him. The great treat of the night was that Jack was nice enough to sit back and give me a navigation lesson. Believe that I was paying attention.
This is my 4th new season with a telescope coming up, so the last brand new sky under deep scrutiny. The little constellations between Aquila and Pegasus had stayed elusive for their patterns, and here Jack showed where Vulpecula, Sagitta and Equuleus were shaped. Try and get that from the best of books. Later he showed off the pattern of Aquarius and its asterisms, the Y and the Water Jar.
Meanwhile I finally got the chance to figure out the shape of Pegasus, which had made no sense before. Stopped and caught M15 for comic relief, first thru binocs and then with Jack's 17", no mean instrument. Took a tour of Triangulum then and got acquainted with NGC 752, big ole OC! It was the kind of conversation where I could ask a stored-up dumb question, i.e., what the Cygnus Loop was, distinct from the Veil. They're synonymous!
There was a fine moment when Nilesh was studying something studiously thru Bob Czerwinski's scope.
Dillon: Whatcha lookin' at?
Shah: Some planetary.
As I was rolling after 2, the car of the new guy I'd talked with on arrival was still there. Cat named Chuck who had bought a 60mm refractor from the Smithsonian 10 years ago, got discouraged, now was checking out the Peak on the strength of reputation. Looks like everyone had a good time.