Observing report: 28 January 2012
29/01/12 01:13
Location and conditions
Equipment
Objects
Report
Early evening had been very clear but the open observing session was been cancelled due to high cloud which arrived just before 7pm. Cloud cleared later in the evening so took the opportunity for a quick visit... if for no other reason than to test equipment.
The moon had set before I arrived, so I spent about 15 minutes adjusting my eyes, constellation spotting and counting stars in Orion for the CfDS Star Count Week. I was technically too late for this, so didn’t submit, but was interested following discussion on BAS mailing list. Counted only 5 or 6 but suspect cloud interfering a bit with view.
Wanted to test how easy it was to attache new binoculars to tripod using L bracket. Process was fairly easy but hampered by cold. Will consider pre-assembling this in future. Temperatures well below zero so fingers sticking to tripod!
Having assembled kit spent a short while trying to detect colour in Jupiter, which was bright in the sky, before moving on to view Pleiades as a great binocular object and finished by testing if Capella was visible as a double - which it was.
- Date: 28th January 2012
- Time: 22:30 to 23:40
- Location: BAS Observatory - Failand.
- Weather: Cold! 20% cloud cover in thin strips. Little wind.
Equipment
- Meade 10x50 binoculars
Objects
Report
Early evening had been very clear but the open observing session was been cancelled due to high cloud which arrived just before 7pm. Cloud cleared later in the evening so took the opportunity for a quick visit... if for no other reason than to test equipment.
The moon had set before I arrived, so I spent about 15 minutes adjusting my eyes, constellation spotting and counting stars in Orion for the CfDS Star Count Week. I was technically too late for this, so didn’t submit, but was interested following discussion on BAS mailing list. Counted only 5 or 6 but suspect cloud interfering a bit with view.
Wanted to test how easy it was to attache new binoculars to tripod using L bracket. Process was fairly easy but hampered by cold. Will consider pre-assembling this in future. Temperatures well below zero so fingers sticking to tripod!
Having assembled kit spent a short while trying to detect colour in Jupiter, which was bright in the sky, before moving on to view Pleiades as a great binocular object and finished by testing if Capella was visible as a double - which it was.