2009 Observing Log

Please submit observing reports to Paul R., Observing Chair for inclusion on this page. Thank you!

Sat Jan 17: Cloudy night session MAC-Durieux
The forecast from Thursday had clouds arriving Saturday afternoon or evening. The noon update on Saturday showed clouds arriving by 10:30pm. Saturday afternoon was very clear with conditions. Arriving before sunset some clouds low to the north west were seen. By the time Venus was visible the clouds were closer. Heather was first to arrive, I arrived and then Lavern, Bob, Alex, Doyle and Jim W.As the blue faded the clouds moved in but on the western horizon a thin sliver of orange sky was seen. Holding out hope that was a large hole. Heather and I had setup our scopes and Doyle and Alex were busy setting up there scopes. The clouds were thick but every now and then a small holes would align with a star or two. Discussion of equipment and observing continued for a while. When Venus was viewed by a few with the 12" when that hole moved to the M42 region the trapezium and nebulosity surrounding it was seen by Bob and I. Jim and I were the last to leave just before 9 pm.[PGR]

Fri Jan 16: SHNOBS Session MAC-Durieux
Following a long spell of fog an cloudy conditions in early January conditions turned cold and clear. Mid week the forecast for the Primary was not looking good and Friday looked to be a very clear evening. A SHONBS session was planned on Thursday for the following Friday and a go posted. When running errands about 3 pm a few clouds to the north west were seen in the distance. Checking the satellite views showed some fast moving high cirrus heading this way. Doyle arrived first just as the Sun was setting and I arrived just after. It was mostly very clear between areas with cirrus. Doyle was testing a new go-to equatorial mount with his ED80. With a good ISS pass for later in the evening I setup the 12" lightbridge. Doyle also had his 15.5" Dob ready. Venus was the first object to be viewed. Under high power it was 50% illuminated and this was the first time I noticed that the brightness varied from the terminator with the side pointing to the Sun a lot brighter. Before the end of twilight a future member Bob arrived. As it was getting darker a few objects were in the clear. I had my alarm set 2 minutes before the ISS was to be 10 degrees above the horizon and with the charts from heavens-above.com we spotted very close to the horizon. I was able to keep view it at 150x in for short periods but the brightness and glare of the central area hid any details. As normal for the first time out on a cold night Bob did not bring enough layers and along with the clouds and possible primary session the next day he left early. Even Doyle and I had toes getting cold and after a few clear then clouds and have seen very good view in the 15.5" of M31, M32 and M110, Blue snowball, Eskimo nebula M42, M43, NGC 2024 - the Flame nebula, M78, M81,M82, M41, M47, M48 and the double cluster in Perseus. Doyle and I packed up and left the site about 10 pm one of the last items packed was one unopened frozen 16 oz diet soda. On my way north on 321 I saw a nice meteor traveling in the same direction I was traveling. [PGR]