by Stacy Jo McDermott
5 September, 2004, Montebello Open Space Preserve, 120mm refractor "Voyager" and 25mm eyepieces where noted.
There were about 13 or 14 telescopes at Montebello on Sunday night, 5 September, 2004 - I called in my permit and one of the rangers called me back saying no worries, about everyone who has a permit has called in! And, indeed, it did seem like almost everyone with a MB permit was there - great company in addition to the fantastic urban skies.
Originally, I was going to work on a number of different observing programs (AL's lunar, double star, universe sampler herschel's), but instead ended up hip-hoppin' around observing a little of this, a little of that, and actually hitting something on the programs that I am working on. The Universe Sampler Observing program is actually quite varied and some items seemed pretty obscure for the beginner observer!
NGC 6441 - a lovely, compact globular cluster offset by a stunning, gold star off to the side in Scorpius. Mag 7.4 per notes in sampler book and I estimate the gold star, G Scorpii at about 3 mag. This was worthy of an eyepiece drawing had I not already been required to do so for the Universe Sampler.
NGC 6720 (M57) The Ring Nebula - I observed the Ring Nebula last fall at CalStar for my Messier requirements, but did not draw it...this time I did...and I got a really nice view of it with my 15mm eyepiece. Could almost make out the central star with adverted imagination.
NGC 6522 - Here is another beautiful globular cluster in Sagitarrius - Kevin Roberts actually turned me on to it...and I'm glad he did. Very round in shape, bright center, mottling across and some detail of individual stars. Off to the north of it (I think that's the correct direction) is a grouping of stars that make a good guide - they are aligned to look like almost an arrow pointing up.
Other activities that I did was compute the angular distance between Deneb and Vega with my hands (about 25 degrees) and also estimate the azimuth and altitude of Altair.
Lunar observing was very nice when the 3rd Qtr moon came up about 11.30 PM. Unfortunately, I left my notes to self on what I needed formy lunar observing (Duh!)...but it was nice to gaze upon the headlight in the sky because the detail along the terminator was so crisp, so contrasty, so fun to count so many crators.
Around midnight, most everyone started packing up and I locked the gate at around 12.30 PM. After a hour's drive home, I was still wide awake and did some nekked eye observing at my house (very clear, very steady) whilst having a cup of tea. The moon just got better and better. Around 2.30, I called it a night.
Fun time, good folks and lovely viewing - what more could you want?
Posted on sf-bay-tac Sep 07, 2004 08:23:14 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 09, 2005 08:54:21 PT