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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'm getting calls for updates regarding this evenings event, and I must pass along the bad news that it looks like we may have to reschedule for another time. Quite dissapointing for them and me.

The sentiment is that we shouldn't play hit or miss with the weather and hope for a break, but should be like last year...crystal clear from start to finish. And I agree.

Let's see what the 12:00 report gives.

[Al Degutis]

The noon Clear Sky Clocks forecast echoes the midnight forecast:

cleardarksky.com/c/WdStckILkey.html

Basically it's forecasting clear skies from sunset until about 10pm at which point the clouds will start rolling it.

So, I'm going to leave the invitation open for anyone still wishing to attend a "short" session, especially those closer (i.e. not a 2 hour drive). Hey, even those willing to make the longer trek are invited, just be sure to get here before sunset so that we don't miss any observing time.

No worries if we cancel tonight. I'll take advantage of the above average seeing to so some imaging. Unfortunately Mars doesn't clear the trees until 9pm giving me a short window of imaging it, plus I'd prefer it higher in the sky. My point being, I'll be outside one way or the other.

[Al Degutis]

I heard from one of my contacts, Joe U., and after seeing the above average transparency and seeing he's decided to make the trip from Northbrook and he's bringing his scope. I haven't confirmed with my neighbor Dave, yet, but I expect him to join us so we'll have 3 people at this mini-gathering.

Anyone else from closer in? Curt?

[Al Degutis]

For those attending the mini-gathering tonight, after the clouds roll in and if people want to hand around and chat, I'll have the fire pit ready so we can just sit-back, enjoy a nice campfire and talk stars, or whatever else. Might as well get to know each other better.

[Centaur]

al said:

Anyone else from closer in? Curt?

Thanks, Al, but conditions look too iffy or marginal, so I've accepted another invitation. Sorry. I was looking forward to your star party, but there will always be another night.

The forecast for Woodstock is clear for all of next weekend, with a high of 67°F on Saturday and a low of 43° Sunday morning. The Moon's apparent disk will be 97% illuminated on Saturday evening. That's significant, but will not produce the degree of oppositional flash that will be seen the following two nights. From Woodstock, Saturn will rise on OCT 16 at 00:52 CDT. Of course Saturn will be rising even earlier as the weeks progress. It's always a telescopic treat. Mars will be getting closer, and Mercury and Venus will simultaneously reach Greatest Eastern Elongation on NOV 03.

Don't forget the grazing occultation of a Pleiades star on OCT 19 at 21:01 CDT. The graze path will move through DeKalb, Crystal Lake, Round Lake and Kenosha. Details appear in the Eclipses, Conjunctions, Occultations and Alignments forum on this site:
astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=Conjunctions&action=display&thread=1125259210
For those who wish to provide specific longitudes, I'll give the corresponding latitudes of the graze.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Well, it looks like the contingency from Chicago will not be making the trip and regrettably makes the decision to do so.

With the small window of observation and chancey skies, the gathering around Al's fire pit looks quite inviting, but the two hour drive is just not logical.

I am sending out emails and making calls to inform the crew of the decision, but anyone closer to Woodstock is encouraged to stop by Al's, peek thru his scope and enjoy suburban astronomy.

The contingincy date is the 29th of October, as the moon will not interfere with DSO observation. It will be colder, but perhaps indian summer after the first frost will grace us. More as the date approaches.

Anticipating the evenings observation posting here...

[Al Degutis]

Pre-mini-gathering update.

About an hour ago the skies started clearning up. Now (5pm) there's only about 10% clouds.

John J (Skokie) called and will be joining us, so there should be 3 or 4 of us as I still haven't heard back from my neighbor Dave.

More later.

[Al Degutis]

As the Woodstock Clear Sky Clock predicted, we had about 3-4 hours of clear skies. Unfortunately, it had the time wrong. The sky cleared up around 4pm and clouded over shortly after 8pm.

Joe U. arrived from Northbrook about an hour before sunset and set up for some imaging. Joe had an 8" home-build reflector on a Losmandy G-11 mount (the first one I've seen in person). Equipped with laptop, Meade DSI, Stellacam w/monitor as a finderscope, he was ready to image.

John J. showed up around 7pm with his "travel scope", a 6" f/4 refector that he redesiged from an f/11 that his uncle gave in the 1960s. John, an engineer, also designed and build the tripod.

I have pictures of Joe's and John's scopes that I'll post later.

Joe was able to get polar aligned and started by imaging M57 before the clouds rolled in. At that time, my neighbor Dave arrived and he and I were looking at M31 through John's scope.

When the clouds arrived, we decided to hang out inside, have some pizza and coffee or pop and chat, occassionally checking the sky. We discussed telescope making, imaging, AstroFest vs Prairie Skies, and other topics. We went out at the sign of small breaks in the clouds to see if we'd be able to do more observing/imaging, but it wasn't to be. Shortly before 10pm, we called it a night.

The sky was a disappointment, but the company and conversation was good. John was happy he made the trip, being able to see that good, dark skies are only about an hours drive away from him.

Hopefully, Oct 29th will work out in terms of clouds and temps and both Joe and John return, and hopefully Joe Guzman's travelling minstrels join us. ;D

[johnjarosz]

Yes, it was a small but good group on Sat night. Al has a great dark site considering how close he is to Chicago.

I will also be bringing my 4" "semi-APO" refractor to the 29th gathering and I would really enjoy someone bringing a TV 4" or some other high-end refractor so we could do a side-by-side comparison. Besides, I just want to look thru a TV, or AP, or TAK, or TMB.

I was really impressed of the view I got of M31 almost during twilight at Al's home. What a great location.

john

[Al Degutis]

Here are the pictures I promised...

John's 6" f/4 reflector:



Joe's 8" refector on the Losmandy G-11 mount:



Joe's image of M57 from Woodstock:


Full sized pictures here:
www.skyinsight.net/gallery/v/aldegutis/starparties/

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

How nice that an abbreviated session occured in Woodstock with that small window of opportunity. It was totally clouded over here in Chicago and socked in for a good part of early Sunday morning...

Those scopes are some serious artillery in knocking down the DSO's! And the shot of M57 is quite cool...color and everything.

Can't wait to meet up with Joe and John myself... ;D

See all soon.

[Al Degutis]

Due to a last minute change of plans beyond my control, I cannot host the Woodstock Star Party this weekend (Oct 29th). I apologize for the late notice and look forward to getting together some time in the future.

[Centaur]

al said:

Due to a last minute change of plans beyond my control, I cannot host the Woodstock Star Party this weekend (Oct 29th). I apologize for the late notice and look forward to getting together some time in the future.

No problem, Al. I understand. Perhaps a warmer portion of the year would be better for an annual star party.

[Centaur]

Here may be the next dates with fairly warm weather, planets to view, and a thin crescent Moon that sets early.

Fri Apr 28
New Moon Spotting Contest
Mars, Jupiter & Saturn out during the evening

Sat Apr 29
Two-day-old Moon
Mars, Jupiter & Saturn out during the evening

Sun May 28 (Day before Memorial Day)
New Moon Spotting Contest
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn out during the evening