Sunday, July 10, 2016

briefly clear (Blue Mountains)

Did some wide field observing. Took in the sky with just eyes and with big binos. With Ralph and Nicole. Viewed Capricornus, Sagittarius, Scorpius, Ophiuchus, Serpens twisting around, Corona Borealis, Ursa Minor, Draco, Cephus, Andromeda, Pegasus, Cygnus, Sagitta, Lyra, Aquila, Delphiuns, Aquarius.

I wondered about the thin, flattened triangle of stars to the right of Pegasus. Was that Equuleus? Grabbed the giant-size Pocket Sky Atlas and red flashlight from the GBO. Yep, confirmed. With Kitalpha at the bottom point.

We saw random meteors. I saw a bright southbound fast one that started in Aquila and ended in Sagittauris. And a short streak near Scheat and Matas and Sadalbari which left a sparkling train.

I checked for aurora from the north deck.

With Nicole's Celestron binoculars, I took in various items. Swept thought the heart of the Milky Way and stumbled across blob after blob. It was partly clear and the clouds drifting through discouraged us from opening the observatory. But it was better than nothing.

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