Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Apr 4, 2006 23:47:18 GMT -6
Quick shot of Half a Moon
Chicago Astronomer Steve rang me for a quick observation session this evening, considering the skies were crisp and clear. We will take any clear nights to look up.
It was a bit windy by the Adler, but I brought my trusty 4.5" and set up while, while Steve used his quite cool stabilizer binoculars. The wind prevented any serious observing, so it was the Moon that got the attention.
I snapped a few pics using my simple digital camera, but again the wind was playing havoc. I did manage to get a really good one in between gusts...
This one is using a polarizer filter at the focuser and zoomed in on the camera, which was handheld at the 25mm eyepiece. Great contrast of the Marias and highlands.
The next thing was a testament to urban astronomy. With two blazing streetlights pouring into my reflector tube and causing great glare and flares in the eyepiece, I was still able to capture the ghostly Orion nebula and trapizium quite clearly...
I then put away the scope and we two ventured around the east side of the Adler where the lights are a bit darker. We then spent about a half hour spotting bright and fast moving satellites. Shooting north, south and all different directions, it was quite cool. I even followed one when it crossed another one in it's path!...
It was a nice brief non-serious observational session this early spring evening...
