[AZ-Observing] Conjunction view
- From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 23:52:20 -0700
Howdy all;
Well, I have really looked forward to viewing this evening with Venus,
Mercury and Saturn all in the same field of view. That is a rare night.
I went out west tonight for a view and some photography of the conjunction.
I picked a spot somewhat near the SAC site at Flatiron, but one that
included a nice saguaro cactus for a foreground object. I set up the 4 inch
f/6 RFT refractor and the photo tracking mount. As I did so, I was starting
to get worried about some clouds making their way over the western horizon.
I shot a few sunset piks so the slide chopper will have a reference point
and then waited for the sun to set.
Once it did, the view of the three planets in the little refractor was truly
unique. I cannot remember anytime in the past when I have seen three
planets in one telescope field of view. Yes, it was very low power and it
included two of the most boring planets, but it was unique. There was lots
of color in the refractor when aimed at Venus and the view of Saturn was
pretty poor, but I could just make out the rings in a few moments.
I really had hopes that Venus and Mercury would be so close that you would
only see one object with the naked eye. But, that was not the truth, they
were about as far apart as the wide double in Capricorn. I followed them
down and by 8:48 there were creosote bushes in the foreground on the view.
I guess that is good indicator to stop viewing.
So, as I started shooting some photos the clouds thicken up and blocked off
one and then all of the visible planets over the western horizon. But, I
did get some photos and I have no doubt that at least a few will be worth
viewing and they will act as a memory aid for this once in a lifetime event.
I will get the slides developed tomorrow, we will see how long it takes to
get them back. So, by the club meeting we can all see if I had a good
time;-)
Clear Skies to us all;
Steve Coe
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