Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on May 25, 2005 0:56:28 GMT -6
Mini Non-serious sessions
I set up my scope by my usual spot on both Sunday and Tuesday evenings. I arrived at about 7:30 pm, as the sun was just occulted by the city skyline. Sunday, the temps were pleasant and it was rolled-up shirt sleeve weather.
No sooner I pulled up by my space, that I had fans of the Chevelle. Not a week goes by that I don't get offers to sell, and this was of no exception. When they discovered my purpose there, I had even more gather around.
The Moon was up and I first focused on it, as it was still too bright for the two planets. The Moon is always my favorite object, as it changes daily...and it proved to be the star at this session. Some were just awed by the marias and craters, and many asked about Copernicus, as it was the most brightest object on the surface. I used a polarizer filter to bring up the contrast of the sky and of the surface features.
Now I know my mirrors out out of tune...quite badly, and it showed. As I could get the limb of the moon in sharp focus, the center of the Moon was a bit out, and the same the other way around. One day, I'll collimate, but not today.
I slewed over to Jupiter as it was now bright enough for a gaze. Good banding, and two moons were exceptionally close together. After explaining to the people that the pin points of light were Moons of Jupiter, they appreciated it much more.
Next came Saturn. Tilted nicely and yellow, Saturn is always cool. I always start off with a low powered wide-field eyepiece, then kick it up with a 10mm. There Saturn becomes more distinguishable and ball and ring apparent.
So there it went, back to the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn a few times as newer people stopped by to see what was going on. It is always a nice feeling when they say that this is the first time they ever looked through a telescope and appreciate it so much. I even found me a fan who will assist me in doing body work on the Chevelle, and...one pretty woman, who worked a special function at the Adler that night, gave me a whole Pizza pie for showing her the targets...still hot!
That night was a good night for astronomy... ;D
Monday night was a bit blustery, but the skies were clear. I set up, but only a minor few came by...and it really was too uncomfortable for any prolonged viewing.
Two of Jupiter's Moons were very very close together near the limb of the planet...nice sight. Saturn..well was Saturn, but no sign of Titan.
I spent the rest of the time aligning my finders with higher mag eyepieces and then called it a night.
And those are my stories...and I'm sticking to it.
