Quickie RTMC report, and OI: Friday 6/3

by Matt Tarlach

Well, RTMC was a hoot! I arrived in the evening Friday, too late to find a good spot for my own scope, but that wasn't a problem as TACo Jeff Gortakowsky and many other observers were happy to share views through much more impressive optics than mine. I had some great views of Jupiter under steady seeing in the Friday twilight, and maybe my best view of the Sun ever in Wm Phelps' 80mm f30 solar scope on Saturday morning. Also made the owner of a new TEC 140 happy when I said I could detect hints of spiral structure in M51 - not bad for a 5.5" scope! I never did see Michelle Stone - maybe next time, or at Shingletown.

Of course RTMC is as much about the hardware and the swap-meet deals as the viewing, and I picked up some neat gadgets and a handful of cool used books. Also heard some excellent talks - highlights were presentations on the career of Mt Wilson astronomer Milt Humason, and details on the Hale telescope project. Also picked up lots of info on the upcoming Deep Impact NASA mission, with observing tips.

I'm still hungry for photons, and now I have some new toys to try out as well. Barring unforeseen developments, or bad weather, I'll be someplace dark Friday night. IHOP, maybe, if someone else wants to go. If I'll be alone I'll probably return to the more familiar Fiddletown. Tuesday night next week is a backup date.

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Posted on tac-sac May 31, 2005 22:09:39 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Sep 24, 2005 09:55:25 PT