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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Star Party

08 May 2013

We will have a semi clear and more importantly...relatively warm night - Wednesday the 08 of May.

Chicago Astronomers are itching for some scope time and I think we can work this evening into our schedule. Sunset is about 8:00 pm and I'll arrive at that time to set up and prepare for Saturn.

I need to tweak the C11 this evening, so I'm hoping for clear skies tonight...but either way - if free... stop by for a early spring evening with the Chicago Astronomers and telescopes...

[patrickm]

Really want to but have homework for tomorrow's photography class. Have fun!

[magic612]

I believe I will be there. How's the clouds look up that way, Joe?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

So far...the skies are clear and temps warm.

Extended radar says a small line of clouds may be approaching, but will pass fast.

The Chicago Star Party is a go for tonight.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A fun time with fellow Astronomers and fans...

Full narrative and pics in a short while....

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The First warm weather Chicago Astronomer Star Party of 2013

08 May 2013

I called this warm weather star party a go, as the weather forecast called for clear skies...but as I arrived on-scene by the Adler grounds..the skies didn't look all that promising...

But radar was showing a thin cloud line to pass over and behind...showing some clearing...

It looked like we were going to get some semi-clear skies to punch through and get some decent scope time...

We had C.A. Dave come and join us, bringing his 6" Reflector...

Rhea (Pinky) arrived with her computerized refractor..

Set up a telescope and the people come...

Support crew members Barbara and Maria were present, welcoming our guests and counting heads..

It was Dave who first spotted both Jupiter and Saturn....

[img src="i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/chicagoastronomer/Astronomical/2013SP/May08/030_zps1284590a.jpg"]

Jupiter showed good banding and satellites - even so low in the muck. Saturn, displayed a great ring structure along with a sharp Cassini division and three satellites in the C11. Good banding along the planet was observed as well.


The night before, Maria and I spent over an hour tweaking the collimation on the C11, right outside of my garage. "Turn that Bob knob at the top just a smidge...now that other knob at 6 O'clock... a 32nd of a turn...no the other way...!" Finally, concentric circles on Spica were obtained and I was getting pinpoint stars with no coma. Not 100% perfect, but pretty damned close. I needed to do this before the star party, as there would be no time to do so then. My new neighbor Martin, saw a huge telescope in the alleyway and asked what we were doing. Being a geek, he was thrilled at the chance to look thru a telescope. I invited Martin to join us at the Chicago Astronomer Star Party the following evening....

Here he is, photobombing my friend Jaik and I. Hope to have Martin as a regular C.A. fan.

The evening turned out to be a good one, not the best astronomically, but good enough for planetary observation in our scopes...

C.A. John arrived mid session with his C5 Nexstar...

I like this shot of Adler Fellow Telescope Operator Tom at the C11 who stopped by...

This was the first use of the 102mm Refractor riding on top of the C11...

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A superior scope than the Meade 90mm that I have been using as the C11's long focus finder/tracking scope, I'm not sure if I'm keeping on top. It's a bit heavier than the 90mm and there is a balancing factor. I had to throw on two more counter weights for this session, with the OTA east of the mount. I just may go back to the 90mm and keep the 102mm primarily as the go-to scope on the CG-5 mount.

At around 10:00 pm...I called it a night and we packed up our gear...

Chicago Astronomers for the session:

A great thanks and appreciation to fellow Astronomers Dave, John and Rhea for joining in on this session and bringing their scopes. And to Maria and Barbara as our much needed support crew. We had a total of 45 guests that we attended to this evening - which made it a pleasant easy session, with ample time for discussion, instruction, laughs and time with friends. Good gas giant planets were shared and enjoyed by all.

Onward to the next Star Party.....

[mojocvh]

Great work Joe and all.

That's the first time I've seen the Chicago background there.
I'm more than impressed that you guys give it a go with so much backlight and that there is still the enthusiasm to observe despite the obvious difficulties.

Nice to see the beast back in action #Yay#

Mo.

[patrickm]

May 12, 2013 4:10:29 GMT -6 mojocvh said:

Great work Joe and all.
That's the first time I've seen the Chicago background there.
I'm more than impressed that you guys give it a go with so much backlight and that there is still the enthusiasm to observe despite the obvious difficulties.

We have five stars.

[mojocvh]

I quite like this shot, not too sure what's going on though LOL!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Mo,

We were catching the final minutes of Jupiter, riding low to the horizon...which got better really - even through the muck.

The dude on the left looks like he's manhandling the 102mm Refractor, but he's framing the area where Saturn should be.

Fun night.

[John]

It was nice to get out and see everyone. I hope we do this more often, now that its warmer out. As long as the clouds stay away, we'll be doing alright. I'd like to add more dark site observing sessions, too - including Paulie's observatory!

[mojocvh]

www.telescope.com/Accessories/Observing-Gear/Orion-Lights-Out-Observing-Canopy-for-Telescopes/c/3/sc/53/p/5927.uts


I use one of these and can certify that they increase contrast at the eyepiece in backlit conditions,

Also find that flocking the inside of my shiny Celesteron flexible dewshield is also of benefit.

all the best

Mo. [aka Andy B.]


EFA

"This product is no longer available for purchase."

Oh bugger.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Andy,

I have used a Canopy for Telescopes...really just a length of black cloth draped over. On cool nights, it works well, but on hot summer months....aaargh...it' suffocating.

Also...flock everything...everything I say.

It matters.