Monday, July 23, 2007

July Viewings

Held on Tuesday 17th, 7.30 p.m. at Pedro Castle. Usually in the Summer Months many members are on vacation. However there seemed sufficent numbers this year to plan and go ahead with a meeting in July. Quite a few people turned up in the end!

The sky was partially cloudy but with good view to the South especially Scorpio, the "teapot" in Sagittarius and Centaurus. It was verm warm however and the mosquitos were busy. The sky cover was also slightly hazy However the Southern Cross was no longer visisble.

Although not quite dark at 7:30 , The Moon, Venus and Saturn ( just ) were visible in the West with Jupiter in Scorpio which was clearly seen to the South East .

Venus now has a very destinctive crescent - No Ashen light seen (!) though the Moon clearly had "the New Moon on the Old Moon's arms"

Objects seen tonight (other than the previuously mentioned Moon and Planets) were Omega Centauri,M7 ( in Scorpio), Alpha Centauri and the "Coat Hanger" in Cygnus. This is actually an asterism (ie line of sight effect) rather than a cluster of stars.

Two satellites were spotted throughout the evening

Even at 8:30 people were still turning up. A busy night!!

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