Observing Plans

Bill Porte

Blue Canyon was very nice Friday night. Even though I had worked a ten-hour day, and wasn't able to get there until around 8:30, it was well worth the extra effort. Not too cold, and the conditions were at least as good, if not better, than the Sky Clock predicted. I spent most of my observing time hunting down Virgo galaxies with my new 18", but couldn't resist going after some interesting planetaries (Eskimo and Cat's Eye really popped out! Also found a couple of Abels with Alvin's help), and lot's of eye candy (including M3, M51, M13, M53, M101, and more). Marsha was busily hunting down her Herschel 2500's, concentrating mainly on the objects around Leo and Virgo. Alvin was avidly pursuing his famous faint fuzzies with his 22". It was great getting out under the nicest sky I've seen in recent months. The observing season has officially arrived! Can't wait for many more excellent nights at IHOP 4, GSSP, CalStar, and Blue Canyon over the coming months! I'll be out of town this weekend, but will be out under the stars again (probably at IHOP) next Saturday.