Reports

Post details: Martian Invasion of M44 continued...

2008-05-24

12:49:33 am, by Tekatch Ann

, 198 words, 234 views

Categories: Reports

Martian Invasion of M44 continued...

The Binbrook "alternate site" offered excellent views of Mars & M44 to me, Jackie, Steve and Brett tonight. We were joined by our good friend, Martin, too. While I took photos with my 80mm refractor, Brett shared the view through his new Televue85 (gorgeous scope, Brett!!!) while Steve had a pair of binoculars on a nice bino-mount and Jackie had her fine scope set up as well. Everyone agreed that low power gave the best views of Mars riding through M44.

As we were packing up, an OPP officer stopped by to make sure we weren't up to no good. Jackie soon set him straight with an explanation of the evening's main attraction: Mars in the beehive cluster! The good natured officer was not astronomically inclined but left us with his best wishes for a good night.

We all adjourned to Tim Horton's. Here is a much better photo than the one I took last night! (Not in the same league as Kerry's though!)If you compare this photo to the one Kerry took the night before, you can see how far Mars moved through the cluster in that span of time.

Mars in M44, The Beehive Cluster.

Permalink 5 comments

Comments:

Comment from: John GAUVREAU [Member]

Well done, Ann! I so wish that I could have joined you all, but I was working last night (oh, the sacrifices we make!). It's remarkable how much Mars moved in just one day. Thanks for sharing, Ann.

Permalink 2008-05-24 @ 07:26

Comment from: Glenn & Gail [Member]

Nice report, and picture, Ann. Gail and I also shared views with Tekatch's, last night - Anthony and Cathy came over to the dobservatory and we saw Mars and M44 nicely framed in the widefield FOV of our little Starblast. I meant to use that little star, that Mars is close to in your picture, as a gauge to the planet's movement but got distracted with other sights.
We had a nice view of Saturn with the 12" then played cloud tag trying to see M13 and eventually M92. We capped off our evening with the best look at the Sombrero Galaxy I've yet had (can't wait for the CSSP!) and the Stargate asterism.
We also saw several satellites, including the ISS which Anthony and I briefly caught in the eyepiece - I could definitely make out the solar panels.
All in all, a good warm up for the Murray Street park session tonight :)

Permalink 2008-05-24 @ 07:40

Comment from: Tekatch Ann [Member]

I'm glad you enjoyed my picture and report. Glenn - I understand what you mean by getting distracted! I wanted to watch Mars over a few hours to see if I could perceive it moving, but also got distracted, taking pictures and chatting. It looks like the skies tonight will be even better than last night.

Permalink 2008-05-24 @ 09:48

Comment from: kerry [Member]

Beautiful capture Ann! Glad you and Jackie got out under the stars it was such a beautiful night. I couldn't take advantage of it myself because I had other plans.

Permalink 2008-05-24 @ 18:33

Comment from: don pullen [Member]

Well done Ann. I really enjoyed your photo. And comparing against Kerry's for movement is a great gauge of it's relative motion. Impressive.

It's very heartening that we have such a great club of active observers who get out on just about every possible clear night. Hopefully over the summer we'll get even more of the members to join us and see what they are missing.

Permalink 2008-05-26 @ 12:28

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