by Dennis Beckley
Highlights for me included Comet Q4 Neat through my 10 X 70 binoculars, Omega Centauri through most anything, and the Trifid and the Dumbell nebula's through Len's scope. Highlights through my 18 included the Twin Questar in Uma and the Abell Galaxy Cluster 3574 (IC 4329 Group) through the 36!
I spent most of my time working on Larry Michell's advanced observing list. I was able to complete the Globular list and 7 of the 20 needed of the Plantarey list from last year through my Obession 18. I thought that Thursday's storm had killed off my chances to finish the rest of the Planetary list and I packed up my scope on Friday morning and just hung around for Friday's Great Texas Giveaway and a little eye candy through Len's scope. Much to my surprise and delight Friday was the best night yet!! Len was kind enough to let me use his scope to complete the planetary list using his scope, my new TeleVue 3.5 Nagler, and his laptop running MegaStar and SkyTools 2.
I finished my last planetary (NGC 7008) at 5:00 A.M., walked over to Larry Mitchell at his 36 and collected my pin . After two hours sleep I got up for a quick breakfast at the Ft. Davis Drug Store and headed up highway 118 towards home.
It was the best TSP out of the six that I've attended.
One important point that I discovered the hard way is that you can't elevate the south end of Tom O's platform 8 degrees and not have it come off the rollers ( you can elevate the north end if say you go to the Oregon Star Party because there's a guard on the south end but nada on the north end!). Fortunately my poor 18 didn't fall to the ground thanks to some quick help from my fellow observers but I spent the rest of the TSP without my platform. Maybe another reason to consider a ServoCat!
Posted on sf-bay-tac May 24, 2004 23:54:27 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.1 Jul 12, 2004 20:33:06 PT