viewing from the steps (Richmond Hill)

In front of the steps of the administration building of the David Dunlap Observatory, we set up our tripods and binoculars. With the skies streaked with clouds, we had the correct instruments!

I first viewed Jupiter with my Bushnell Ensign 7x binoculars atop my heavy duty tripod. Could just make out a couple of moons to the bottom right.

Took a look through Charles "battleship" binoculars. Lovely amount of power, 25x, making it easy to see the four moons (1 left, 3 right), as well as some cloud bands. But, ironically, they need to be collimated!

Viewed the Orion nebula. Could see 2 bright points in the middle of the nebula (i.e. θ (theta) 1 and 2). The cluster (NGC 1981) and bright stars (45 Orionis and HIP 26237) above. ι (iota) below.

Then went to the Pleiades. Scott helped me find them. One field down and two to the right. Showed Grace and Tony. Could easily see all the main stars plus HIP 17776, Asterope, 22 Tauri, 18 Tau.

Briefly viewed Mizar and Alcor.

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Al and I briefly chatted. He said he hadn't seen comet C/2011 L4 Pan-STARRS with his binoculars earlier in the evening. Chalked it up to clouds low on the horizon. I told him it was his instrument choice. He'd be lucky to see the comet in a small aperture. I suggested he set his go-to 8" SCT up and go to the region by RA and Dec. The "big gun" would have no trouble...

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Spotted an orange star to the east as we walked through the parking lot to the star. Not Saturn... Didn't know what it was at the time (Arcturus).