Hi All;

I could see the moon through the clouds about 6:30. I figured I'd give it a shot. I set up the scope and the video camera hoping to get a video. By 7:00 I couldn't even see the moon. I attempted a 2 star alignment just guessing where the stars were when I noticed I could see Sirius through the clouds. I quickly changed to a 1 star alignment which is not as accurate as the 2 star but at least it will track. By this time it was about 7:10. I pointed at Saturn and I could just about see it in the eyepiece. Good enough. I turned on the video camera and started to try to align it in the eyepiece. If any of you have ever tried this, you know it's easier said than done. I almost gave up, Saturn kept disappearing behind the clouds. I couldn't get it in the camera. I figured, let me just watch. Then like magic, just a few minutes before ShowTime, the clouds opened up and I got a clear view. I move the video camera into position and got Saturn in the view very quickly. I was just starting to adjust the focus on the scope, focus on the camera, zoom on the camera, exposure and lots of other stuff, when the occultation started. I got it! Not exactly the image I wanted. It's off center, small, out of focus and too bright, but I got it. Had it been clear I would have got a great video. But I got something and under the circumstances I'm happy with that. The reappearance was clouded out. Better luck next time. Any idea when that is?
That's it;
BOB SAL

• Next time - musca - February 22, 2002 - 15:13 UTC