A late start as we approach the summer solstice, twilight doesn't end until about 10pm local time in this region.
First target was Jupiter. Seeing was excellent with the scope easily holding a steady image at more than 200X magnifcation using a 7mm Nagler and a Pentax XW5. We then switched to the Orion nebula. The 10" optics showed hues of red in M43 and along the rim. Greens and blues could be seen in other areas. Phil turned the telescope to 47 Tuc and we blew it open with the Pentax XW5. We also compared the views between my Pentax XW5 and Baader Hyperion 5mm. On bright objects where contrast is king such as the Moon or Jupiter, the XW noticeably out performs the Hyperion. But on this 4th magnitude globular cluster, the difference was far less noticeable, stars being well resolved in both eyepieces. The Pentax still gave a superior image but the gap was smaller than I have noted on other subjects.
After this short interlude and with Gemini rising, Phil and I set up for the Geminids meteor shower and left the scope along. I had a reclining camp lounge while Phil set up a camp stretcher bed. Phil had his Canon Rp with a full frame fisheye lens on his Losmandy G11. I'll leave him to report his own details. I set up a simple arrangement. I polar aligned a Losmandy Starlapse tracker. I mounted my Pentax K1
Once the camera was set I forgot about it and settled into my recliner to do some visual observing. It was a stunning night. The Orion arm of the Milky Way was really popping with the galactic dust beautifully mottled by dark nebulosity and dust.
The night was cool not cold 20C/68F with only light clothing required. Later it cooled down and I needed to get a jacket. From my location in the southern hemisphere, the entry angle into the atmosphere is a low angle of incidence. Consequently many of the meteors were not bright and from our southern location, ZHR's were not particularly high. We began to count but both of us dozed off from time to time as the night progressed. It seemed to me that we were observing a ZHR of around 30-50. From our southern location, with the radiant in Gemini on the north eastern horizon, the meteors may not have been as abundant as the geometrically favoured northern hemisphere but those we did observe were mostly displaying long slow burns some lasting for a transit of some 70-140 degrees with broad widths and high persistence vapour trails. It was spectacular.
The rate was highly variable from almost 0 to many per minute for short periods. It was a gorgeous night and a much better show than the Leonids which I observed alone one month earlier. We were both sleepy and by about 3am local time, the show seemed to be over and we powered down and went inside to bed for the night.
On my
Phil was supposed to stay for three nights (Thu, Fri, Sat) until he received a call from home this morning to say that his son has tested positive for COVID. He is potentially carrying the virus. He did a rat test that came out negative. Nonetheless, he packed up and left straight away. I will wait and see if Phil tests positive, then I'll need to start testing.
Joe
