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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Small Gathering of Chicago Astronomers
- Private session -
02 July 2010

Another nice evening presented it's self before us this Friday evening. The night before was a deep and transparent night like I rarely see in Chicago, so let's see what happens this session.

With the Taste of Chicago going on and a concert as well - outside of Soldier Field...our spot was off bounds and we needed to find other venues to set up scopes.

We found this parcel of land - not too far from a Chicago Astronomer and close to the lake. Chicago Astronomers Bill, John and I set up our scopes.

John brought both his 5" SCT and his 10" Newtonian - which I refer to as "Helter Skelter"...

Bill brought his nice computer controlled 8" Vixan - which is great for astroimaging...

And I brought the C11 beast.

John and Bill both have Go-To capabilities - and they were quick on the go - with punching in their favorite Messier's...

Where, me with just brute push and pull technology....focused on M57 to start with...

The site was a decent one...and we even had two pretty Policewomen stop by to see what we were doing - and shared various targets with them.

Bill and John were comparing various targets and picking objects in different parts of the skies...

...but I stayed mostly to myself, still affected by the event of earlier in the week. Although I enjoy the company of my friends and fellow astronomers....I wasn't too sociable...

Views of Andromeda were quite nice in the C11 and my astro buds concur. With proper collimation, the 10" Meade of John's will bring in sharp views too.

No astrophotography today for me, but Bill captured some nice images of clusters. I hope he posts them.

Side note: I'm interested in why....thru my SCT - I am getting some chromatic aberration...

I have noticed this for some time, and here is Antares thru the C11 - displaying the Chromatic Aberration.

This needs some investigation and correction.

Also..

With the addition of three finder scopes, grasp & control handles and a camera...the OTA is off balance and both tracking & axis slewing. Having to hang my 12v battery pack off the weight shaft for this session.

I had noticed that by the time we arrived at this new site, the skies were not as transparent anymore - and I recognized the atmospheric glare of a Moon in the skies, but the building before us blocked the Moonrise. Soon, the Moon peeked over the roofline...

We explored the Moon with our scopes, and like before - comparing views from all four telescopes. I spent a leisurely time just slowly slewing across sharp craters, riles, valleys and mounds - sliding up the terminator and taking my time.

But, now...it was 2:30 am...and fatigue washed over us and time to break down the site and pack up.

John and I at the end of the session.



And we had a nice visit from Hongxia and their per cat near the end of the session.

It was good and I enjoyed myself....but reserved for me.

Happy Fourth of July... to all American Astronomers....!