Virgin voyage on the 30"

by Jamie Dillon

For once I'm determined to get a report out while the news is fresh. Last night I had my turn helping out on Bertha the Big Bruiser (known in more grownup circles as the Challenger). I'd helped out with classes there before, having gotten checked out last April, but this was my first official turn, certainly the first turn closing up.

Over 60 visitors were there, courteous, curious, grateful and full of questions. Greg and Maria Bosler, also from Salinas, were there with their 10" Lumicon Newt equatorial, Felix Dobs came along, and Robert Dayap ran the 30" thru most of the crowds.

Like most of us at star parties, I tend to stick to flashy sights. Along with M31, Albireo and the Double Cluster, this time I decided to show off something more subtle. Folks were intrigued to be seeing Uranus. They all saw the color and quite a few mused at the distance that object in the eyepiece had. After things thinned out, Greg and Maria and I worked at pointing the 30". We spent long minutes gazing at Uranus at just >400x, with the 9mm Nagler. Also studied M15 tirelessly. Caught M57 for dessert.

The quiet after 1 am was lovely, with the whole area to myself. Tired but peaceful, I studied some favorite sights - Saturn, M37 and M42. Last night was the first time in memory observing that I didn't find anything new. The learning curve was on the big scope. Another time on the 30" I hope to be working with some older hands, both in working the scope and finding some less known objects.

There were visitors from Switzerland, one of whom is a club astronomer from outside of Zurich named Felix. He cordially met my Felix. You'll be seeing this guy around this fall.

Mark wanted to compare air at Coe and Fremont. At best the transparency overhead was around 4.5. The seeing was fair to good, better than expected. The smoke was amazing, though, with complete obscuration to at least 30 degrees up.

It surprised me how much I missed the gang, gotten real used to hanging out with the TACos. Be definitely checking out where the Quality will be gathering next weekend.

When the crowd was gone last night, and I'd made sure the observatory was tight, the first thing I went to see was the pink bunny. Tuesday night from the backyard in Salinas, the primary as you remember was blazing. This time eta Cas was a satisfying sight, with the primary a hint of blue, bright and fairly steady, and the secondary reddish orange.

We also had a fine time staring at Jupiter from the 30". Greg had the bright idea of using an O-III, which brought out white ovals and the Great Red Spot in vermillion. Simple minds, simple pleasures. Then with a moon filter, we spent long minutes gazing at festoons, and the Spot. Most I'd seen of it with my own eyes, source of endless wonder. Here we have no idea how old that storm is, as you know, it predates the telescope.

I've heard again and again about Walter Scott Houston's columns, was thinking today wouldn't it be great if they were collected. Pg 135 you say!

Whaddya we got next weekend? Pacheco for real?

"Clear skies" is developing real meaning.