Bonny Doon Sat 26 April 2008 -- "Pastoral"

Dan Wright

Bonny Doon is just a one-hour drive for me -- the same as Coyote or Coe. The drive includes a twisty narrow section reminiscent of Coe's final twisty bit -- in this regard it's the same difficulty as Coe, while Coyote's drive is easier.

The setting at Bonny Doon is pleasant and relaxing. There's a feeling of altitude in the mountains, and the smell of trees, and a pastoral ambiance with green meadows, sheds, garden plots, and farm implements. The nearby road is mostly shielded by trees and buildings, so headlights are much less troublesome than at Coyote. It's private property, so there are no rangers to appease and pay, no public to come blasting in, and no law, except the courteous responsibility we maintain as guests. But there's no toilet (as far as I know), and perhaps no drinking fountain or faucet.

There was a nice crowd (19 scopes someone said), including TACos and a good showing from the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club. In gratitude to this club and its parties at Bonny Doon, I sent them an envelope via US Mail containing a membership application and a check.

Off the edge of a gravel drive there's a gentle slope down into a meadow. People arranged their cars in a row along this edge, backing in and parking on the slope all nose-high, like a drive-in movie, with trunks and hatchbacks flung open and scopes deployed down behind on the green. We saw a mag -8 Iridium flare. Brilliant. Then it got dark and we tried for Mimas. Joe-Bob explained it was at or near greatest elongation and should be standing clear of the rings. Joe-Bob sed he had never observed it -- ever. When Joe-Bob sez that, you know the object is a rare sight.

Depending on what source you consult, Mimas was supposed to be mag 12.9 or 13.2. I tried in my 10" at various powers, Jamie tried in Felix's 11 inches, Bob tried his Portaball's 12.5 inches, using different magnifications, and later Pete and I looked carefully through Pete's 16" dob, waiting and watching through moments of steady seeing. But DNF -- Did Not Find, although we were able to see other objects of this magnitude. Mimas the Death Star is using a cloaking device, has exploded, or has been sprayed all over with dark soot -- this must be the explanation.

At first the night seemed dark and clear, but when we got looking carefully, we realized it wasn't. High thin clouds traipsed across the constellations, and Santa Cruz's light dome appeared in the SSW. This would no doubt be wiped out when the marine layer came in. Bonny Doon is probably similar to the Peak in that way.

We counted the Finnish triangle in Gemini and got 9 stars for a limiting magnitude 5.6. But we weren't counting sigma Geminorum (the relatively bright star just north-west of Pollux), because we figured it was outside the triangle. But this chart:

http://obs.nineplanets.org/lm/rjm4.html

seems to indicate it *is* part of the triangle (Jamie can say "told you so"), which would mean 10 stars and a limiting mag of 5.7. We also did the triangle in Leo and got 12 or 13 stars (if I remember right), meaning a mag of 5.6 or 5.7.

I looked at many objects, but didn't log anything new. Next to my SCT I adjusted a padded stool to perfect ergonomic height, then sitting in steady comfort, I placed my two open eyes onto the exits of a matched pair of 24 Panoptics and gazed steadfastly at M5. It appeared detailed and fascinating. So did M3 and M13 and M35 -- these were my favorites of the evening.

Another good sight was the Eskimo nebula through Pete's 16" dob. Yes I'm talking about Pete Santangeli and he wasn't imaging; it was a pure observing night for him. I also enjoyed the Leo Trio: M65, M66, and NGC 3628 in Pete's dob. Pete had unique software on his laptop to help push-to. It displayed huge dials and indicators, designed to be visible from a distance, so you could stand over by your big scope and push it around while watching the laptop screen ten feet away.

In conversation we talked about books and TV. I have a heck of a time contributing to a discussion about TV shows since I watch so little TV, but we all agreed that sci-fi books are where it's at. I recommended anything by Jack Vance and Jamie recommended anything by Ursula K. Le Guin. On the subject of good books, Joe-Bob sez check out "Three Cups of Tea".

People had a hard time saying good-bye. I mean they'd get their car packed, and go around to everyone saying good night, but get involved in good conversation, and 20 minutes later they'd still be there. Then they'd say good-bye again and jingle their car keys, then get talking to somebody else, and 20 minutes later still be there. Then they'd make a final round and say final good-byes to everyone (this time for good), but 20 minutes later still be there. When the sky conditions are moderate and the moon is about to come up anyway, the social aspect of this hobby comes to the front.

On the drive home I became very drowsy -- I was a danger to myself and others. Maybe it was because I had been exercising out in the noonday sun earlier. I tried turning up the radio and singing along, but I also had to punch myself in the leg occasionally to keep my head clear.

I liked Bonny Doon and I plan to go back. I want to get to know more SCAC members. I'll be especially inclined to go back when the marine layer seems ready to cover the city lights.

Top regards from Dan in Mountain View