year in review

I was feeling a bit bummed. It had felt to me that I had not accomplished much the last year, astronomically... Despite the number of entries in this blog, 459 in 2009 vs. 313 in 2008. That's 146% of the previous year!

Geoff posting his "year in review" to the RASC Toronto Centre and Talking Telescopes listservs got me thinking about it. So I thought I'd also review what I did, re-read my blog, particularly reacquaint myself with things some 12 and 11 months ago. Just what did happen?

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I viewed all the (official) planets of the solar system. With and without magnification. Night time and day time!

I viewed Mercury early in the year naked eye and through binoculars and telescopes at other times. Saw Venus during greatest eastern elongation. And on two occasions viewed the second planet in the day time / naked eye (after spotting it with binos)! Watched Mars return to the night sky late in the year. Observed Jupiter many times. In the summer, I enjoyed its festoons and chasing the GRS. Sadly, I did not see the black spot due to the comet collision nor did I catch any of the occultations of moons. Neither shadows on the surface. I watched Saturn through year, edge on in January, and marvelled at seeing cloud bands from my backyard. Saw many moons of Saturn: Titan, Rhea, Tethys, Dione, Iapetus, Enceladus, and Hyperion. Many times I tried for Mimas. Happily, I saw a moon of Uranus (Oberon) and Neptune (Triton). Pretty exciting stuff.

I viewed comet Lulin early in the year on a few occasions, with binoculars and telescopes.

I tried for two asteroid occultations: (51222) 2000 JE24 and 95 Arethusa. Both misses. One was due to dew. With properly functioning equipment, I probably would have seen it.

As I am not a big fan of the Moon, I generally ignore it. But while killing time at a RASC City Observing Session, I took a closer look. I viewed and identified a number of lunar features. And actually enjoyed it. But then kicked myself for not trying to photograph Moon dogs (a first for me) that I witnessed in the fall.

An exciting first was seeing zodiacal light. Totally random how that happened. But I knew, as soon as I saw it, what it was. Helps with dark skies, like those at the Carr Astronomical Observatory near the Blue Mountains.

While at the CAO in August, I enjoyed the Perseid meteor shower. I've seen these meteors before, so not a first-time event; but I've never seen them in a clear horizon location, taking in the entire sky, with a cool group of people around. Or with Tony nearby...

I observed a number of ISS flyovers, the most exciting of which was when 13 station and shuttle crew, including Canucks, were on board. At the DDO, I enjoyed my first Iridium flare.

It was the year for double and multiple stars! Early in 2009, I observed Meissa. And I think I discovered something odd about it. With Orion well placed for night time viewing, I'm looking forward to re-examining it to see if anything has changed. Over the course of the spring, summer, and early fall, I observed and noted over 40 double and triple stars and multi-star systems. With a better understanding and a loaner calibrated eyepiece, I started to measure them. While at Mew Lake in September, I observed the Coathanger naked eye.

Speaking of which, I finally made it to the Annual Algonquin Adventure inside the massive park. I enjoyed the very dark skies and the unique gang of people. It was made more enjoyable with a gaggle of Toronto Centre members around. And it was here that I took in my first stunning views of Veil Nebula. Incredible.

There were some interesting equipment issues over the year. I finally replaced the broken Kendrick 2" dew heater with a new one. Too late for the occultation but in time for Dew Lake—I mean—Mew Lake! That said, my trusty old car battery booster pack did not respond well in the low temperatures. It doesn't owe me anything but it seems that at 8 or 9 years it does not have the umph needed for chilly conditions. Hopefully, the "new" (used, very cheap) gel-cell, deep-cycle batteries I picked up will prove powerful.

The netbook, acquired in Q2 for computer training gigs and personal presentations, with Stellarium and my notes loaded, was usually nearby. I haven't really had a chance to try the new digital pen (deeply discounted) but it should be very useful for logging.

The new digital camera (free, on points) offers many more pixels and controls than my old camera. While point-and-shoot, I've already successfully captured some constellation and planetary astrophotographs.

I borrowed an 8" Dob and barely used it.

I delivered the second annual astronomy session to a local public school. We got very lucky with last-minute clear skies. I helped at numerous RASC public events.

I contributed to Mom's observatory with design concepts and some logistics. When the structure of Mom's workshop studio was completed, I built a workstation in the loft. Work continues on the telescope mounting and protection.

Of course, I continued to be involved with the Toronto chapter of the RASC. They made me a CAO supervisor: I was assigned 2 weekends with another added later in the season. I ran (co-ordinated) the spring NOVA course and then returned the reigns to Leslie. Continuing to help, I taught, to positive reviews, first session of fall course. I delivered The Sky This Month presentations in Feb and then by popular request in Jun and Dec. I designed and built a wheel-chair accessible picnic table for the CAO. And while at the CAO, I spent as much time as I could learning the C14, TV101, Paramount ME, and controlling software TheSky6.

Counting roughly, I was at the CAO 15 times. Not necessarily to observe; there were a couple of main and mini work parties and a couple of rained out events. Still, I got good use of my annual pass.

Finally, I went through this blog and counted all the times I observed. And by that I mean observed astronomical phenomenon or objects with magnification. And I arrived at a number that surprised me: 46 times!

I think what's throwing me is that much of that, observing, was early in the year. I did practically nothing in Oct, Nov, and Dec.

Geoff reported "61 successful observations." I didn't think I had a number anywhere near that.

Also fascinating was the number of "firsts," like the zodiacal light, Triton, Oberon, which I had simply forgotten about.

Now, I see, I actually did a lot in 2009. Now, after this tally, I'm pretty satisfied.