Swimming at Fiddletown

by Renato Del Rosario

I think the dewing situation somewhat got better after past 10pm. I came around 9:30p after being lost 3X along the way. This was only my second time to Fiddletown (first was with Dennis Beckley). I ended staying there until 2:30 am.

My trip exhaustion was easily calmed down when Darrell led to me to his scope and showed me a high power view of NGC4565. That was trully a rewarding site. The dark lane was more evident compared to 891.

I spent most of the evening looking over several Springtime galaxy eye candies under a dark sky. I couldn't believe how bright some of those galaxies were when comparing to my backyard views in Benicia. Some of them even had detail! I was also surprised how easily one can get lost galaxy hopping under Fiddletown skies. To name a few, I vastly enjoyed studying M101, the Spindle, M64 and Sombrero. I thought the view of the "smiling face" (M84, M86 ~ 9 galaxy cluster) at Fiddletown was just as good as my last sight of it in Yosemite last year). One of the last treats was getting a view of Omega C. with Dennis' (?) binoculars. Before packing, I tried to energize my sleepy eyes with M13, M92 and M3. Gorgeous, I have to say.

I regretted not being able to meet everyone. Hopefully I'll get to meet you all next time before nightime. Unfortunately, my household logistics prevent me from traveling early on this observing trips.

I have to say that driving around the site is like moving through a mine field of rocks and precarious boulders.

Posted on tac-sac Mar 07, 2005 08:39:42 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Mar 12, 2005 10:09:49 PT