September 5 2021, 2000hr
September 6, 2021 0130hr
Transparency Average
Seeing Average
Humidity intermittent and troublesome but fortunately resulted in no consequent dew factor on my rig. I kept my
Arrived at Penfield, 40.30 Lat, 87.94 long, to set up in early twilight.
Image of sky upon arrival attached. There were more people at this site last night than I have ever seen before. 17 cars I counted.
Light discipline was non existent so my dark sky adaptation was never really achieved until about 2230
There were folks who had traveled quite a distance to view the stars here…some from Missouri, one from Indiana, several from Chicagoland and Naperville. Several had taken rooms in Motels in Paxton, Rantoul, or Urbana. One couple who did not own a car had rented a Buick to make the trip from Chicago.
The gentle lady from Missouri arrived alone in her green Ford 150 bearing a small Nikon
Another young man and his friend had brought a sky tracker camera mount; the brand I did not catch. He had mounted to a Nikon D7. He was also after Milky Way images.
The Young Couple next to me had a new, 3 months old…used once, Skywatcher 8 inch f6 collapsible
This couple were very nice as well as enthusiastic and it was a pleasure to fellowship with them there and share views.
For the first two hours I carried on one long conversation as small groups came round to my set up to ask questions or partake in a view of Jupiter, Saturn or Andromeda.
I held court around the ES152 and regaled these fine folks with stories of Astronomical Adventure replete with stalking coyote, wandering black bear, and the Solar eclipse of 2017.
It was really a good time. I was able to answer many good, basic questions about our hobby and my equipment.
The level of transparency and darkness were proved out by my ability to resolve M33 even though it was faint and ill defined. It was in fact one of the least satisfying views of M33 I have had, but I will not seriously complain. It served its purpose for me in my measure of the sky.
Astrobee suggested Sculptor as a target which I was enthusiastic about but unfortunately it never rose above the southern line of trees on that horizon.
I resolved a number of faint objects.
M77, 02h43m, 00, 05’, was resolved with averted vision quite low on the horizon.
M32, M31, M30, M75 and others unlisted…mostly dim dusty globs and a few Galaxies as well…nothing very exciting. I viewed about 25 objects of this type but only wrote down 16 in my note book.
BUT THEN
Then I discovered that Ganymede was transiting Jupiter I had finally a hook to hang my time card on.
I could write a lot of words but I would rather post my sketches with the times for you to view.
The transit was an ongoing event to which I returned regularly not only for myself but for the viewing of the many folk who were still frequenting my telescope and enjoying views they had never had before.
Peace and clear skies to you all.
Mark