Backyard 01/01/05 -- making good on Machholz through Christmas binos

by William G. Schultz

In an effort to snap the dreaded thread, I'd like to report that our neighborhood received a small patch clear sky to the west of Aldebaran, and to the south of Plieades. Lo and behold was my first view of C/2004 Q2 (Machholz).

I was just able to make out the small object with naked eye, and with a little help from very little Christmas present pocket binocs (OTA:Bushnell 8 X 21) the FOV was indeed very pleasant: looking like a small light hued triangular bat cape headed west.

My wife Sally was even able to catch an enjoyable view, and she has difficulty on single eyepiece images. Perhaps this a hint to obtain a bino-viewer as an opti-cessory, to get her more involved.

I hope we get some clear air sometime soon to get a glimpse using some larger glass. Let's all hope!

Happy New Year!!

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Posted on sf-bay-tac Jan 03, 2005 10:05:44 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 25, 2005 19:24:06 PT