Sierra Buttes delight

by Tom McMahon

Last Tuesday night Cathy and I enjoyed visual observing at the Sierra Buttes at 7,000ft above Sierra City. It was nearly a perfect night - no clouds or wind with excellent seeing.

Since our observation time was limited before Moonrise we concentrated on open clusters in Sag and Sco, then on to Her globulars and other open clusters in the north sky. I used my Stellarvue 4-inch APO with a new 2-inch Stellarvue Enhanced 2 Inch Dielectric Diagonal. Vic Maris latest quality diagonal is wonderful, even with 1&1/4 inch eyepieces. Now I have to get some 2-inch eyepieces to complete this instrument's visual capabilities.

I was surprised that the Sacramento/Route 80 cities caused quite a sky glow to about 20 degrees above the horizon to the southwest. Otherwise the sky was black to the horizon and delightful.

I plan to go again when sister Moon will not limit the hours of such glorious observation.

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Posted on tac-sac Aug 08, 2004 15:32:20 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 05, 2005 22:24:36 PT