[AZ-Observing] Re: Great Weekend
- From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2002 01:47:36 -0700
Sentinel-Schwaar Star Gaze a Big Success
by Steve Coe
Well lots of telescopes and observers showed up at the big wide spot in the
desert for the Sentinel-Schwaar Star Gaze for 2002. There were two very good
evenings of viewing and plenty of folks to share it with. On the Friday night
we had a dozen vehicles filled with observers from all over; from California
and even British Columbia in Canada, people had been attracted by Arizona
Skies. Most of the observers where from Arizona, lots of SAC and EVAC members.
Comet Ikeya-Zhang graced the evening sky, it is bright, just naked eye, and
has a two degree tail in my 10 inch. Once it got dark we started observing a
wide variety of deep sky objects. I was enjoying the Winter Milky Way from
Orion to Puppis.
After midnight I started observing some faint galaxies in Centaurus. I
completed the list of a dozen of these and once I was done I had reached a
milestone in observing the sky. I try not to brag about what I have been
fortunate enough to observe over the years, but this night demands a moment of
reflection. Once I completed these Centaurus objects, I had observed all the
deep sky objects in Burnham's Celestial Handbook that can be seen from Arizona.
It has taken 18 years of enjoyment and concentrated effort. I know that other
SAC members have similar long-term observing projects that they are pursuing
and I wish them the best. It is a good feeling and I have acquired a reverence
for the beauty of the night sky that I certainly didn't have when I began.
After a pleasant day chatting with so many other observers as they arrived, I
counted 50 vehicles as the darkness closed in on the big group of scopes set up
and ready. Once again the comet was a feature of the twilight and I also got
some excellent views of Jupiter in Rich Walker's 13 inch. Rick Rotrammel made
a nice drawing of the comet that now shows a division in the tail.
Even though I did some observing with my "new" 10 inch f/5.1 Newtonian, also
walked around and observed with some other people's telescopes. It is always
lots of fun to get a peek through a variety of instruments. I am also clear
that I need to take better notes about the scope and what was being observed.
Ah, the life of the astronomer with memory loss.
About 2:00 I collapsed into the tent and the Sun woke me about 8 in the "A of
M". I slowly started to tear down the scope and once AJ got moving we were on
the road in an hour or so. Oh, the drive back to civilization.
I would like to thank Jack Jones for staying on task about getting us a
portable toilet. The entire group was happy with the facility and I hope to
make one available for all future Sentinel Star Parties. I would also like to
thank all the people who showed up to make it a worthwhile venture to set up
this group observing session each year. It is fun to share the sky.
stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx
Author: Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist
Saguaro Astronomy Club web site:
www.saguaroastro.org
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