I was off Island (Chris) but Nick went down as usual. Inspite of the hazy hot weather good crowd turned up many of them visitors to the Island and a good range of ages too
A successful but dry evening!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday 6th July - Pedros
A Hot Muggy meeting with muggy cloud. Inspite of this we observed Saturn and Jupiter as well as our favorites for this time of the year- the Jewel box and Omega Centauri. Alpha Centauri also resolved well into its apparent binary system.
The Southern Cross was not easy to resolve and it also took us a while to see the Jewel Box.
Last month was definitely the better month to observe this constellation, but we have a teapot to look forward too!!
We also had a quick look at Scorpio but the heat and humidity persuaded us for a finish at Durty Reids
The Southern Cross was not easy to resolve and it also took us a while to see the Jewel Box.
Last month was definitely the better month to observe this constellation, but we have a teapot to look forward too!!
We also had a quick look at Scorpio but the heat and humidity persuaded us for a finish at Durty Reids
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday 5th June Pedros Castle
Nick and I arrived early- the weather looked mixed but started clearing.
After the Moon , Mars and Saturn ( 3 of its moons were visible) a couple of satellites were looked for - one seen!
The Southern aspect this time of the year is very grand, even though there is nearly always a slight haze near the horizon. the aspect at Pedros nearly always gives a good clear dark sky to the South
The Southern Cross (Crux) was clearly seen with the complex Centurus to its left. Alpha Centuari is seen as a nice easy double star (although its far more than that of course).
Also observed were the "Jewel Box" (NGC 4755) and Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) seen tonight with the naked eye.
I was very keen to push my knowledsge to the right of Crux, namely the Constellation of Carina.
Eta Carinae - the Keyhole Nebula has become almost a quest of Holy Grail proportions for me but I still struggle to find it. I did come across the "Southern Pleiades" (IC 2602) and a very nice open cluster ( which is either NGC 3766 or NGC 3532). The low haze won.
After brief refreshment at Durty Reids we re immerged to the car park to see Scorpius fully risen, the stars (Shaula and Lesath) representing the stinger clearly seen high in the sky.
Still no sign of Jupiter rising in the East though
After the Moon , Mars and Saturn ( 3 of its moons were visible) a couple of satellites were looked for - one seen!
The Southern aspect this time of the year is very grand, even though there is nearly always a slight haze near the horizon. the aspect at Pedros nearly always gives a good clear dark sky to the South
The Southern Cross (Crux) was clearly seen with the complex Centurus to its left. Alpha Centuari is seen as a nice easy double star (although its far more than that of course).
Also observed were the "Jewel Box" (NGC 4755) and Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) seen tonight with the naked eye.
I was very keen to push my knowledsge to the right of Crux, namely the Constellation of Carina.
Eta Carinae - the Keyhole Nebula has become almost a quest of Holy Grail proportions for me but I still struggle to find it. I did come across the "Southern Pleiades" (IC 2602) and a very nice open cluster ( which is either NGC 3766 or NGC 3532). The low haze won.
After brief refreshment at Durty Reids we re immerged to the car park to see Scorpius fully risen, the stars (Shaula and Lesath) representing the stinger clearly seen high in the sky.
Still no sign of Jupiter rising in the East though
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday 8 May 2008 Pedros
Mercury was clearly visible as a disk. The Societies new eyepieces are helping a great deal. Also Observed were
-the moon, slightly different this month as the meeting was a little later in the lunar month
- Mars (disappointing as usual)
- Saturn and at least two moons.
2 satellites were observed.
The weather was as the evening progressed slightly muggy, and visibility was not as good as the early evening had suggested. Having said that we were treated to a fine view of Omega Centauri (and most of Centuraus too!) as well as the Southern Cross, though the Jewel Box is still too low this month.
A thoughtfull discussion then ensued (as always this time of the year) on the "pointers" to the South Pole and where the False Cross was actually located.
The Meeting was adjourned to Durty Reids
-the moon, slightly different this month as the meeting was a little later in the lunar month
- Mars (disappointing as usual)
- Saturn and at least two moons.
2 satellites were observed.
The weather was as the evening progressed slightly muggy, and visibility was not as good as the early evening had suggested. Having said that we were treated to a fine view of Omega Centauri (and most of Centuraus too!) as well as the Southern Cross, though the Jewel Box is still too low this month.
A thoughtfull discussion then ensued (as always this time of the year) on the "pointers" to the South Pole and where the False Cross was actually located.
The Meeting was adjourned to Durty Reids
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
April 8th 2008
Early arrivals at the viewing had a chance to see Saturn and the Moon before heavy clouds rolled over. Concerned with the possibility of rain, I packed the "scope away. however, there was a sufficient number of people for some lively discussion, and some naked eye observations as the sky cleared.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday 10th March Pedros Castle
Good turn out tonight, almost all the committee! The skies cleared nicely by 7:30, Mike also bought his heavy binos on an even heavier equatorial mounting to add to the fun .
Saturn seems very impressive at the moment inspite of the rings closing up. Recent visitors to the Island (see last months notes) commented on just how stable the air is in the tropics, and is ideal for planetary viewing
Mars also was visible but VERY high up in the Zenith.A good sized disk is still visible with some surface markings in the higher powered eyepeices, though with some flaring of the image.
The Moon also was observed along with an easy target of the open Cluster M41 near Sirius.
After the Plieades we attempted some of the open Clusters in Auriga , we got M36 and M38
Two satellites were observed and one meteor, from its direction it may have been a Leonid
Overall quite a clear night for us at Pedros
Saturn seems very impressive at the moment inspite of the rings closing up. Recent visitors to the Island (see last months notes) commented on just how stable the air is in the tropics, and is ideal for planetary viewing
Mars also was visible but VERY high up in the Zenith.A good sized disk is still visible with some surface markings in the higher powered eyepeices, though with some flaring of the image.
The Moon also was observed along with an easy target of the open Cluster M41 near Sirius.
After the Plieades we attempted some of the open Clusters in Auriga , we got M36 and M38
Two satellites were observed and one meteor, from its direction it may have been a Leonid
Overall quite a clear night for us at Pedros
Saturday, February 23, 2008
February 2008 Extra Ordinary Events,The AGM, ISS passes and a great Lunar Eclipse!
Inspite of a poor Observing night at Pedro this month,
1) the AGM was held on Sunday 17th , The Society continues!!
2) On Monday 18th AND Tuesday 19th thanks to a reminder from Richard the ISS together with the space shuttle made passes across the Caymans, the Monday Evening pass was especially brilliant, first the shuttle and then the ISS crossed thr sky in formation. The ISS seems very bright - much brighter than predicted on "Heavens Above" _-3?). The following evening the pass was much lower in the West and not long after sunset, so it certainly appearred less bright. On Wednseday the Shuttle landed safely in Florida
3) An excellent lunar eclipseon the 20th!
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