[Lvas] Fianl Perseid count

[Fred Rayworth]

All,
 
Went out to Sunset Overview at Lake Mead. Stayed from about 7:30 to 10:00PM. Moon was so bright, I could hardly see any star patterns, but I still managed to see the ring, M-13, and the double cluster, which was so dim, it almost looked like a pair of double stars!
 
My purpose was to take my oldest granddaughter out one time before she goes back to West Virginia. In that respect, it was a pretty good night. I am doing the Astronomical League double star program and nailed about eight or nine of them last night, so for observing goals, it wasn't a total waste.
 
Jupiter and the Moon looked pretty good. I tried a variable density filter on both and though it worked great on the moon, it washed out detail on Jupiter. I can see that an off-aperture mask is still the best way to go with a large reflector.
 
As for Jupiter, I saw a lot of banding, breaking up in spots, but no red spots. They must've been behind the planet. Also watched one moon disappear behind the planet. At 400X, spotted disks for several of the moons, but that didn't last long. A little later, I tried to split Epsilon Lyra and couldn't get a clean separation. Just two oval "lumpy" stars. Could tell there were two for each, but that was about it. It was about the time the humidity started in. I easily split them at Sawmill trailhead at 144X, but couldn't at 400X last night.
 
About 9:30, the humidity climbed suddenly. It was so noticeable we saw a halo around the Moon. Since it was going to be several hours before it set, we gave it up and went home. Never saw a single meteor, though that was only a bonus part of the trip anyway.
 
Overall, I'm glad I took her out and it was the first time in over a month I've been out at all.
 
Fred
> From: AJSnyder at cox.net> To: lvas at lvlug.org> Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:04:06 -0700> Subject: [Lvas] Fianl Perseid count> > Hi gang, well it turned out to be a great night for the meteor shower, but a > bit cool up at Sawmill trailhead. I left at 0415 and ended up seeing 240 > meteors from about 2215 to 0415.> > Rob, right after you guys left it must have peaked. I counted 67 meteors > from 0200 to 0300 from all directions, it was almost hard to keep track. > Until next time, clear skies!!!> > Jason Snyder > > > _______________________________________________> Sent via the Lvas mailing list Lvas at lvlug.org> Set options or unsubscribe at http://lvlug.org/mailman/listinfo/lvas> The LVAS discussion list is hosted courtesy of LasVegas.Net
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