After watching the struggling Eastern League Harrisburg Senators defeat the Bowie Baysox on Tuesday evening I journeyed to the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg's Naylor Observatory (see http://www.astrohbg.org/naylor_observatory.php for images) at Lewisberry.
My first view through the 17" f/15 classical Cassegrain was of Jupiter at magnifications of 162 (40mm U.O. MK-70), 202 (32mm U.O. Koenig-II), and 259x (25mm U.O. MK-70). The GRS had nearly finished its transit at the time that I began observing.
My next target was C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) at 10h39m, 56d09', using the same magnifications. The fifth magnitude comet had dimmed a bit since I saw it last and was best seen at 162x. The coma was smaller.
After fitting a 2" Orion UltraBlock filter to the 40mm MK-70 I had a look at M8 and M20 in Sagittarius.
Before my search for Pluto began I observed the globular clusters M10 (162 and 259x) and M12 (162x) in Ophiuchus. I then began my star-hop eastward from Eta Ophiuchi using finder charts from Starry Night Pro, Sky & Telescope, and the RASC Observer's Handbook. Pluto (162 and 259x) was its usual nondescript and unremarkable self. This was the first time that I observed the icy world this year.
I finished my session with another comet, C/2003 K4 (LINEAR), which was located at 15h38m, 56d09' and which was over a magnitude and a half fainter than Comet NEAT Q4. I used 162m, 202, and 259x on this comet too.
I also saw Jupiter, M4, and M6 through the club's 12.5" f/6.5 Cave Newtonian and two Meade SCTs belonging to other members.
Dave Mitsky
My first view through the 17" f/15 classical Cassegrain was of Jupiter at magnifications of 162 (40mm U.O. MK-70), 202 (32mm U.O. Koenig-II), and 259x (25mm U.O. MK-70). The GRS had nearly finished its transit at the time that I began observing.
My next target was C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) at 10h39m, 56d09', using the same magnifications. The fifth magnitude comet had dimmed a bit since I saw it last and was best seen at 162x. The coma was smaller.
After fitting a 2" Orion UltraBlock filter to the 40mm MK-70 I had a look at M8 and M20 in Sagittarius.
Before my search for Pluto began I observed the globular clusters M10 (162 and 259x) and M12 (162x) in Ophiuchus. I then began my star-hop eastward from Eta Ophiuchi using finder charts from Starry Night Pro, Sky & Telescope, and the RASC Observer's Handbook. Pluto (162 and 259x) was its usual nondescript and unremarkable self. This was the first time that I observed the icy world this year.
I finished my session with another comet, C/2003 K4 (LINEAR), which was located at 15h38m, 56d09' and which was over a magnitude and a half fainter than Comet NEAT Q4. I used 162m, 202, and 259x on this comet too.
I also saw Jupiter, M4, and M6 through the club's 12.5" f/6.5 Cave Newtonian and two Meade SCTs belonging to other members.
Dave Mitsky
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
