Jupiter Tonight

Every once in a while you step back from a scope and just think "Wow." I am having one of those nights tonight. The seeing in the Wenatchee valley is usually terrible. Tonight it is just mostly terrible, but even so I have had the absolute best views of Jupiter and the GRS I have ever had through any scope. Sadly it was not through my 14" scope who's mirror I ground myself. (It is currently being rebuilt.) I am using a 10" Meade Lightbride, which is my "get me by until the 14" is finished" and childrens outreach scope.

Soon the shadow tranisit of Europa will begin. I cannot wait! Woohoo!

15 min to go..

Hi Jack,
I am out there too here in California. I just had the 12.5" Collect Dob up to 530x and though there is a little atmosphere, the moments of clarity are definitely a wow! 8)
At 400x the views were more steady and then the GRS and GRS Jr were quite visible. At 530x I was on the virge of too much power for the night, but that is 43x per inch, so what can you expect.
This is first light for the restored scope. I am more than pleased with the performance and movement of the scope.