Sunday, September 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Arunah Hill Days 2008
Just a quick recap and a picture or two...
Well, Thursday night was good observing, Sunday night was GREAT, and Barlow Bob showed off the sun in both HAlpha and through a spectrometer on Saturday before the clouds socked in. Unfortunately, other than a quick peek at the slender crescent moon and Jupiter on Friday night, no night time stargazing took place during AH Days'08, compliments of the remnents of Tropical Storm Hanna.
Still, I think all that attended had a great time. Kelly Beatty gave a great talk in the pavilion on Friday, and the rocket launches on Saturday were the best ever. Thanks to Ranger Gary and Jim Downing for their leadership and never ending patience with balky ingiters and changes in wind direction.
Many of us cleared out just as the first rain drops hit, with an estimated 4 inches of rain falling on the hill between 6PM Saturday and 6 AM Sunday.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Bird ID
The bird in the photo is likely a Cedar Waxwing. See:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.html
for a better photo. If this is the bird mentioned, that's what they are. I've seen them on the hill among the trees, and heard them frequently.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cedar_Waxwing.html
for a better photo. If this is the bird mentioned, that's what they are. I've seen them on the hill among the trees, and heard them frequently.
Perfect Night
Sunday, Labor Day weekend 2008, the last day of August. A late summer cold front blew through and left us with perfect skies... dark, transparent, and steady! A group of at least 10 folks and 5 telescopes where on Arunah Hill to enjoy the conditions. Not only were the skies great, but it was just sweatshirt cool and not a bug was flying! Even the earth shadow was a terrific sight.
The Jup razer sharp in the Gaertner in the late twilight, especially considered the eyepiece was that cheap "dust cap" Kellner we plug it with. Just a bit later the Milky Way emerged from the twilight. We were soon picking off M objects in Sag in my ancient and battered 13" Coulter.
After a while we took a break at the top of the hill and were treated to some music from the beautiful soprano voice of Jenny Markens. Not only can Jenny sing, she can pick out some terrific country blues. When I told her the only song I knew was "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" she even improvised that tune. No Ben, the words don't say "root, root, root,
for the Yankees"!
John from Rhode Island then treated us to some "Goto" astronomy in his wonderful mostly home built 8" reflector. The Wild Duck and the Swan and the Dumbbell delighted some first time astronomers.
By then Andromeda had cleared the trees, and was quite a site naked eye or in any of the glass. My favorite was in the Fuginon 7x50 binoculars.
Too soon it was approaching midnight, time to get home for some sleep, with dreams of these kind of skies of Arunah Hill Days...
PS... Joe had the tractor out doing it's thing, the hill is now mostly mowed and ready for AH Days!. Thanks to ALL who helped mow ... John, Barry, Steve, Dan C, and many I've missed.
-Ed
The Jup razer sharp in the Gaertner in the late twilight, especially considered the eyepiece was that cheap "dust cap" Kellner we plug it with. Just a bit later the Milky Way emerged from the twilight. We were soon picking off M objects in Sag in my ancient and battered 13" Coulter.
After a while we took a break at the top of the hill and were treated to some music from the beautiful soprano voice of Jenny Markens. Not only can Jenny sing, she can pick out some terrific country blues. When I told her the only song I knew was "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" she even improvised that tune. No Ben, the words don't say "root, root, root,
for the Yankees"!
John from Rhode Island then treated us to some "Goto" astronomy in his wonderful mostly home built 8" reflector. The Wild Duck and the Swan and the Dumbbell delighted some first time astronomers.
By then Andromeda had cleared the trees, and was quite a site naked eye or in any of the glass. My favorite was in the Fuginon 7x50 binoculars.
Too soon it was approaching midnight, time to get home for some sleep, with dreams of these kind of skies of Arunah Hill Days...
PS... Joe had the tractor out doing it's thing, the hill is now mostly mowed and ready for AH Days!. Thanks to ALL who helped mow ... John, Barry, Steve, Dan C, and many I've missed.
-Ed
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