Session around midnight (7/7/20)

[terrynak]

First brought out the 50/600mm Tasco 66TE:



Used 24x and 67x.

• NGC 6543 or Cat’s Eye Nebula (Dra, mag=8.5, size=20” (core)) – not difficult to find using 24x; its non-stellar nature is evident at 67x.

• Beta Ceph (Cep, mag.=3.2, 7.9; sep.=13.3) – FAIL; could not see the companion, either because of moonglow from the southern horizon, its location just above the northern horizon facing Los Angeles, or both. Will have to try again with the same scope on a moonless night or else use a larger aperture.
  
  James Muirden says “A large contrast in brightness, but readily seen even with a small telescope”.

Next, switched to the 70/900mm Meade Polaris 70 for some planetary viewing:



Used 143x and 150x

• Jupiter – the southern polar region is very prominent; no festoons visible (seen previously as a dark spot). Io is very close to the planet.

• Saturn – beautiful, with equatorial banding and Cassini Division.

• Mars – south polar cap is very evident; also a hint of northern polar ice along with some indistinct dark markings just above the south cap.

Moon was out as well but didn't bother, getting very late.

[KingNothing13]

Nice Terry - you've been getting out a lot lately!

[Bigzmey]

Nice planetary session Terry! I applaud your devotion to the hobby. I am also trying to get out at least twice a week.

[Buckethead 2.0]

Feel free to give me my nice weather back Terry! Ever since I handed to you, you haven't shared it with me!

Great job, and report Terry.

[Juno16]

Really nice session with the planets!

I’ve only seen the Mars ice once and it is amazing how super bright it is!

I’m happy that you have been getting out. A few days short of a month of cloudy skies for me. Raining now. It’s downright depressing!

Thanks for the good read (and photos)!

[Makuser]

Hi Terry. Yet another interesting observing report from you. We just finished our 6th straight day of afternoon/evening thundershowers here. However, I am always glad to read about others getting some good time at the eyepiece. Thanks for your latest report Terry, and the best of regards.

[terrynak]

Nice Terry - you've been getting out a lot lately!

Thanks Brett - a lot of clear nights here lately!

Nice planetary session Terry! I applaud your devotion to the hobby. I am also trying to get out at least twice a week.

Thanks Andrey - great to see these planets out at a more convenient time. Is there a way you can do more home observing (and be outside more often), or are you affected by the marine layer?

Feel free to give me my nice weather back Terry! Ever since I handed to you, you haven't shared it with me!

Great job, and report Terry.

Been pretty lucky so far in that the marine layer hasn't moved in from the coast (usually does in the summer), so the evenings have been clear from dusk onwards.

Really nice session with the planets!

I’ve only seen the Mars ice once and it is amazing how super bright it is!

I’m happy that you have been getting out. A few days short of a month of cloudy skies for me. Raining now. It’s downright depressing!

Thanks for the good read (and photos)!

Thanks Jim! Yup, the southern polar ice cap has been distinct, especially last night. So far the marine layer has stayed away the past few nights.

Always fun to share scope photos.

Hi Terry. Yet another interesting observing report from you. We just finished our 6th straight day of afternoon/evening thundershowers here. However, I am always glad to read about others getting some good time at the eyepiece. Thanks for your latest report Terry, and the best of regards.

Thanks Marshall, you're welcome! Hot, but no rain here in SoCal during the summer months.

[Bigzmey]

Thanks Andrey - great to see these planets out at a more convenient time. Is there a way you can do more home observing (and be outside more often), or are you affected by the marine layer?

I can observe from home, but desert is way more enjoyable. I am capitalizing on remote commuting to get there more often.

[Peter802]

Hello Terry.
Sounds like you are having a fun time.
Raining and cloudy in the UK at present, so not much chance of seeing anything.!!!!

[10538]

Hi Terry! I really enjoyed reading your nice session report and especially the photos! Raining and storming for the next several days now that the moon is beginning to wane. Thanks for sharing your report with us!

[Thefatkitty]

Nice Terry! The Cat's Eye with a 50mm? You must have some decent skies; I have difficulty on that from here with my 80mm's. That Meade is really nice too!

Glad you were able to get out!

[terrynak]

Hello Terry.
Sounds like you are having a fun time.
Raining and cloudy in the UK at present, so not much chance of seeing anything.!!!!

Yup Peter - really enjoying the clear nights.

Hi Terry! I really enjoyed reading your nice session report and especially the photos! Raining and storming for the next several days now that the moon is beginning to wane. Thanks for sharing your report with us!

Thanks Ed, you're welcome!

Nice Terry! The Cat's Eye with a 50mm? You must have some decent skies; I have difficulty on that from here with my 80mm's. That Meade is really nice too!

Glad you were able to get out!

Thanks Mark! This PN has high surface brightness, so not difficult to see. Also I was observing late in the evening, when the sky is at its darkest and calmest.