Observing Notesfrom the Tuckahoe IrregularsI set out my homemade 10" F-7 dob with the ugly mirror last night. At 3:45 this morning I woke up and remembered the scope waiting for me. So I made my way to the driveway hoping the sky would be clear enuf to see Mars. It was clear and Mars was BRIGHT and about 30-35 degrees above the horizon. So I looked at the planet with a combination of 2X Meade 3 element barlow (the good one) and 13mm & 9mm TV plossels. The southern polar cap really stands out against the redness of the planet. In the mid latitudes there was a nice triangular darkening and at times when the seeing sharpened the triangular shape became crisp. After about 15 minutes of standing there barefoot with short pants and a T-shirt the Marilyn Road Marauding Mosquitoes decided it was time for breakfast so I vamoosed. But, if this morning's view is any indication of what is coming we are in for a treat. Don... |