Observers enjoy a view of M31 despite heavy dew
The weather forecast for this month’s RACOBS was truly puzzling. Various club members collaborated throughout the day questioning the suitability of the weather for observing. Late in the day, most parties agreed that observing conditions would likely be decent, but not excellent. The decision to hold RACOBS turned out to be a good one.
The gate was opened at 7:30pm for 4 waiting carloads of astronomers and equipment. Several more joined us over the next few hours.
Many of us were using equipment for the first time in months or completely new equipment that was seeing first light. About 19 people and 9 telescopes of all descriptions were present. Some were doing imaging (like Chuck J. capturing M16 – image on the right), some casual observing. Several visitors accompanied some new and longstanding members. Many of us were delighted to get some observing done despite the questionable forecast.
Most attendees fought heavy dew on front elements and corrector plates. (Autumn dew is simply a matter of fact in central North Carolina.) Most everyone succumbed to the moisture by 11:30 or so, but the ever intrepid Mike K was still working when most of us left around midnight. Â Mike and few others finally packed up around 12:45am as some high, thin clouds started to make their way into the area,
This was a fun session with better than anticipated results. Visitors got help with equipment, and views were shared among everyone. (We had a great debate at Mark’s venerable C-11 on the colors of the components in Eta Cassiopeiae). Â Some of the views that were shared were M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy), M57 (the Ring Nebula), M27 (the Dumbbell Nebula), Jupiter, M13 (the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules) and M45 (the Pleiades).
Finally, wouldn’t you know it – we had very little problem with cloud cover. Temperatures were comfortable, transparency and seeing were fair. Not bad for a RACOBS that might have been canceled.
