Machholz from Montclair

by Mark Wagner

Had a great weekend all over the bay area... finishing with the treat of clear (although dewy) skies. Strolled around Jack London Square, nice drive through Montclair up scenic Shephard Canyon Road and Skyline, up to Chabot to show my friend where our group gathers to work on telescopes, what a roll-off roof observatory looks like (the one housing the 36" Cass) - then up to her friends beautiful home nearby (a short walk to Chabot from there). What a spectacular view of the bay they have! After dinner, looked outside and the sky was clear. Out came a couple 10x50 binoculars from the trunk of the car. Comet Machholz and the Pleiades together were great. The comet is quite large and bright, its tail trailing to the south. This view was a thrill for the three non-observers I was with. They all recognized the "Seven Sisters", but had never viewed it through binos - and none had seen a comet before.

Finished the night with drinks down in Montclair at Crogans. We'll be going back soon with scope in hand, to show off Saturn.

I hope others got out too, and enjoyed that great view...

Posted on sf-bay-tac Jan 10, 2005 09:12:44 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 25, 2005 20:37:58 PT