[AZ-Observing] Mars-Moon Conjunction


Finally got the new 90mm APO setup under a night sky, newly fitted
baffles and all.  This, after setting my alarm for 0300 just to meet
overcast skies two mornings running.  I just stayed up to midnight this
time and setup in the back yard for the Mars-Moon conjunction.  A little
patience needed while clouds drift by, but good clear areas between them
make the setup worth while.  While some larger clouds drifted past the
Moon I spent some time collimating the re-assembled scope.

Mars and the Moon made a striking pair in a low power field, the
magnitudes were well matched if the size was a slight bit off.  Even at
low power the polar cap and a hint of albedo features visible.  The
scope gives a two degree field with a 35mm Panoptic eyepiece, sharp
focus from edge to edge.

The seeing was poor to fair, a pickering 5 perhaps judging from the airy
disk.  Need to print out a version of the Pickering Scale for the
reference section of my observing notebook.  My refractor being similar
to the instruments he designed the scale for.

Still, the polar cap and Mare Sirenum visible, little else with the
seeing.  Tried red, blue and yellow filters to see if anything helped. 
Not much, the polar cap was more dominant in the blue.  Need a better
night to really test the scope, not likely for a while.

Good night,

Andrew

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Andrew Cooper
Tucson, AZ
mailto:acooper@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.whitethornhouse.com
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