Under Dark Skies Again Observation Report

[Refractordude]

This past Saturday drove to Maryland's Point Lookout State Park for some fishing and stargazing. All I got was two bites. The first bite was most likely a blow fish that are masters at stealing bait off a hook. A few hours passed and a large school of Skates came into the area and everyone got a big hit/bite. My fishing poll almost went over the wall. I did not catch the poll in time and the Skate got away, but the person next to me almost got one on shore. I video taped his fight with the Skate.

When the Sun came close to setting I drove to my old dark site. It is a parking lot next to a small building. The last time I was there it was vacant. There are now new tenants and owners very OK with me setting up my scopes. I forgot to look at Stellarium for some planned targets. So I just went around up and down with my 20x80 binoculars on it's parallelogram mount. Upon finding an object I would enjoy it with my binoculars and then zoom in with my 150mm f/8 telescope. After observing with the Telescope I would enjoy a broader view with my 7x50 binoculars on it's Orion Tritech II mount and tripod.

M104/Sombrero galaxy showed a bright pin point dot in the center of a black line/dust lane.

Enjoyed Bode's and the Cigar galaxies in the same view with the 20x80 binoculars. Both were bright with some detail.

Observed two globular clusters with the 150mm f/8. Found these two observation were best with my Celestron Edge UFF 30mm. At no more then 40 magnification I could begin to see some very close individual stars with a brief concentration into the clusters.

Once home I set up my scope up for observations of Jupiter and Saturn at around 3:00am. My first aim was Jupiter. I greedily started out with 300 magnification. I ended up with 50 magnification on both planets. Both planets were very white in color. I never seen these two planets so white before. Now that I think about it the AC in the car was on high for close to two hours. Perhaps the planets were to low. Maybe a reflection from the soon to rise Moon. Still enjoyed the planets in the night sky at 50 magnification. Left click the images.

[Ylem]

Sounds like you had a good afternoon and evening

I miss saltwater fishing, I used to live on an island in FL, moving back in a few years.

[Bigzmey]

Sounds like a great day (and night) RD.

I used to fish a lot, but local lakes and beaches are getting more and more crowds and it is became combat fishing, not my style.

Now I prefer peacefulness of observing from the desert.

[Makuser]

Hello Refractordude. I once caught a manta ray in the Indian River Lagoon, which like the Banana River Lagoon, are both water inlets which flow parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. The manta rays are like sting rays, except that they have no rear stinger. But boy what a fight, and I thought that I had a small whale on the hook. Getting back to astronomy, it looks like you had a good observing session with your 150mm f/8 telescope. Bode's and the Cigar galaxies, some globular clusters, and finishing up with Jupiter and Saturn. Thanks for your well written and nice report Refractordude, and I hope that you get another opportunity like this again soon.

[pakarinen]

In a B4 for a couple days. Rain last night, clear now. Brought my 80mm...

[John Baars]

Nice observations.
As the video concerned, my comment as a former sports-fisherman on the unknown person next to you: Good example of "how not to.....".

[helicon]

Congratulations refractordude on winning the VROD for today! Nice session (and fishing as well).

[Bigzmey]

Nice observations.
As the video concerned, my comment as a former sports-fisherman on the unknown person next to you: Good example of "how not to.....".

Yes, that guy came unprepared to handle a ray, did not know what to do.

[MistrBadgr]

Thanks for taking me along on your adventure, both fishing and astronomy! Congrats on the VROD!

[NGC 1365]

Thanks for sharing your report.

[John Baars]

Congrats on the VROD!

[Unitron48]

Sounds like a great day all around! Congrats on the VROD!!

Dave