Whiskeytown Lake, Sat. May 31st

Michael Huster

I went empty-handed to the Shasta Astronomy Club star party last Saturday at Whiskeytown Lake to catch up with old friends. There were three club members with scopes: Gary with his 140mm refractor (AstroPhysics?), Peter with 6" JMI reverse binoculars and an Orion rich field refractor, and another gentleman with a 5" Celestron.

A family showed up with a 5" Celestron on an undersized alt-az mount. I helped them find Saturn, but it was tough.

Gary's scope is a beauty. His specialty is double stars. Castor was easy, but the atmosphere limited the resolution. Eps Lyra was harder. This is the first time he's been out this year. M13 was beautiful. The sky was not as dark as in past years. I am not sure if it is creeping light pollution of Redding, or the air. Since I was just catching up with people, I left at 10:30.

I plan to be there this coming Saturday with two 8" Meade Schmidt-Casses. I am going to try putting video up with a StellaCam on one of them.

It looks like the cloud cover is clearing up but the transparency and seeing leave a lot to be desired.

Clear Skies!

Michael Huster