A While Back

It has been a while since I have been able to post, or got outside to view for that matter. The last time I was out was for the lunar eclipse.  I brought my 4 year old out with me so that session was just about pointing the telescope and seeing what we could find. There was no worrying about the auto-star system or how I was going to get my camera to work. I even brought out my old telescope for my son to point around with and imagine. I must say it was the most fun I had observing yet. We watched the eclipse slowing happen for a little while before I pointed my telescope to Saturn. With my old telescope it would have looked like a fuzzy white dot indistinguishable from any star. With my new one I as able to see the unmistakable shape of the rings. Both my son and I were amazed. It really made me want to go out and by a Powermate so that I can see more. The cold and snow has made me really wish for spring to hurry the hell up and get here.

Eclipse

I thought this was impossible but I was proven wrong. At about 8:30PM last night the clouds seem to magically disappear from the sky. A few hours later when I went the bed the skies were still completely clear. I set my alarm and hoped for the best. At 3:00AM I woke up to the beginning of the eclipse. I quickly gathered my observing tools and headed outside. It was pretty cold out. Not much more the +5 Celsius. Even so I was just happy to be able to see the eclipse. It was a perfect night for viewing. The Moon was high in the sky to the southwest. I was easily able to watch the event in the comfort of my back yard. I was amazed at how many stars appeared once my eyes became adjusted, even with all the light pollution. I had never been outside observing for that long to really notice. It was an incredible experience. I only stay out for just under 1.5 hours. My fingers were getting cold and I was starting to experience some back spasms. It was still well worth getting up early for.

I was able to take a few shots. Some of them turned out OK, some of them not so good. I’m still trying to figure out my camera but I have nothing but time for that. The first set of pictures are a couple a shots I took as we approached the total eclipse.

The next too I am not really pleased with how they turned out but it gives you an idea of the color of the Moon during the eclipse.