Observing Report

Astro Home

Articles
   Gravitational Lens
   Variable Stars
   Astrophotography
   Observing Reports

Pictures
   Trip to Kitt Peak
   Astrophotography
   Visit to the VLA
   Sites in Tucson

Equipment
   Telescopes
   Cameras

Links
   Astro Clubs
   Observatories
   Organizations
   Other Websites

Venus was too bright to pass up. Very sharp looking at 60x, would be nice to magnify that a bit more, but still looked great.

In this same region of the sky, was Comet 2001 Q4(NEAT). It was reported to be around 1.2 magnitude tonight, but I could not locate it naked eye. Binoculars showed the comet barely as well. In the telescope it looked pretty neat however. I could notice a bright core, and fuzziness around it, however, I did not notice a tail. This comet should be dimming from today on, so I may give it another look before it gets too dim, perhaps from a darker site...

Lastly, after my neighbors so lovingly forgot to turn off their backyard light (which shines right in my face), I went to take at look at Jupiter and its satellites. I could see three of the four Galilean moons. Surprising to me at 60x, I was able to see some cloud bands tonight nicely. I counted 5 different bands tonight. Every time I look at Jupiter now though, I really, really, really, keep kicking myself for not getting a high mag eyepiece, or at the very least a nice barlow lens. 60x just does not do it justice in the view. But I knew that would be an issue when I got the short tube model of the telescope. So just add that to the wish list for now...