Observing Reports

By Chris Predom

June 29, Moon and Mars. These images were taken by holding an iPhone to my Orion giant view 25×100 binoculars. The Moon is in the center of a triangle made by Mars, Rho Leo and 49 Leo.   I watched the Moon glide past Mars that Sunday from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Notice how far the Moon has moved past Rho Leo from the first to the last image. Also 49 Leo is visible in the last two images.

I then spent time scanning the Milky Way with the binoculars. The Coathanger cluster just fit into the binocular view. Albireo was easily seen. I saw the Ring Nebula (M57) and M24. I could not see M4 by Antares. The sky glow from New Haven washed it out. All in all it was not a good night, but it was nice watching the Moon glide by Mars.

Stellafane. Thursday was okay, and we had a slight wind.  Not the best night, but I managed to see 15 of the 20 binocular observing Olympic targets to get my pin.  Friday was about the same as Thursday.  I set up my Celestron 102az at my campsite.  I just couldn’t make the two trips back and forth to the observing hill.  I had a good window to see Scorpius and Ophiuchus.  I looked at Messier objects in them plus just scanned the area looking at star patterns.  I didn’t wait for Sagittarius to move into my viewing window, and called it a night at 11:30. Saturday was hazy, and the night was washed out.  While I could see Scorpius, it was all washed out so didn’t really observe that night.   Below is a picture I took Thursday night. The brightness and contrast were enhanced to show the Milky Way better.

Pre-dawn conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. Photos taken on August 12 and 13.