by William Blakeslee
It was still cloudy when I left Placerville last evening, and when I got home in Cool, I pulled into my neighbor's drive because I saw her carrying alfalfa to her horses. As we were talking, I realized that Orion was blazing beautiful and bright just above her head. I stuck my head out the window of my truck, and Wow! The sky was clear and dark, although very twinkly. I got out and looked up high, and was rewarded when I found that Comet Machholz was a few degrees to the right of the Pleides NAKED EYE! Hot Darn. I excused myself, and headed down to the barn. I got out my 20X80LW's and a lounge chair and laid back propping my elbows on the armrests, I got a very satisfying view of the comet. Bright fuzzy ball, Bright ion tail, and just a hint of a second tail.
This was a wonderful way to end a long wet spell. After I filled up on that view, I spent a little time on the Pleides, Orion nebula, and just wandering about the starry sky.
I feel much better now.
Posted on tac-sac Jan 12, 2005 12:37:17 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 25, 2005 20:42:34 PT