Observing Notesfrom the Tuckahoe IrregularsI just wanted to say how much I enjoyed last Sunday night with Jean-Paul, Ralph, Tom, Tim, and Nathan. It was my first time at Tuckahoe, other than for planned star parties. It's an hour and 20 minute drive from my home in Wheaton, MD -- but worth every mile. I'm guessing that the sky is a full magnitude darker than my usual observing site in northern Montgomery County, where the Southern sky is almost completely obliterated by the DC area. NGC 2419, which Jean-Paul and Ralph referred to, is an extraordinary object to contemplate although not that exciting visually. Every reference I check gives widely varying reports on its distance, but all agree that its way way out there. Robert Burnham, in his Celestial Handbook, has an interesting drawing that suggests just how unique it is. I look forward to many future nights at Tuckahoe. David Corum Wheaton, Maryland |