Just Returned from 5K' Elev. E. OR.

Drove to Ritter Oregon, to Observe Mars from a friend's home 23 miles from HWY. 395. (that's a long driveway) well the sky was dark after the Moon settled over the Plateau Mesa.. Had great views of all my favorites.. Waited till Mars climbed high enough to get the clearest possible view... was disapointed to say the least.. all I could resolve was a Fuzzy/blurry Yellowish disk, with the faintest hint of coloration across the planet. (Using My C8 with a UO 7mm. Ortho) 290X. "Seeing" was just not steady enough at that low angle, hopefully 2 weeks from now when I return to Prineville for the Oregon Star Party things will have improved somewhat.. anyone else have less than favorable luck?? John Meiners, Astoria, OR

"anyone else have less than favorable luck??"

That's rich! I'm beginning to doubt that the NC skies are going to clear in time to see Mars at all. 290x? I can't see it or any other celestial objects at 0x. I was just sitting here wondering how far west I'd need to drive to get out from under this inversion.

Mike

John: Went last week to the Mt Batchler Star Party. About the same altitude. WE got there a day early on Wed. and had excelent seeing. We manageged to get up to 500x on a 20" and 10" scope. The view was great but alas on Thur. the sky became some what less stable and could only manage 200x or so. Then Friday it clouded over and stayed that way for the rest of the weekend. I guess the moral is sometimes we get lucky some times we don't. I bet the trip to Ritter was great anyway. Did you get a chance to swim? The water is great.
Dark Clear Skies
Magic Man
SSMO