HI,

I recently had a couple of very good nights and I thought I ought to report.

4/2/02 approx 7:00 to 9:30. I got the great views of Jupiter. Came in so clear that I kept moving uping the power with the eps as the increase in magnification was worth the loss of detail.

The most noticible loss was that of color as the NEB and SEB turned a grayish, but the detail was incredible. I could pick up the thick polar cap and thinner bands in the southern latitudes. Could not make out the GRS.

I clearly picked up Saturn and Titan. Viewed the Nebula in Orion and went to the double star in the Big Dipper Alcor/Mizar. All great views.

Last night 4/4/02 I changed my viewing location to the back porch as ther I have a somewhat restricted view of the Western sky. I went out right after sun set and kept Venus in view for a long time. Had much thermal distortion, but kept the scope on the planet till it disapeared under the horizon.

As full darkness fell I turned the scope to Mars. I used the 40 mm and enjoyed a panaramic fiew of the star system around the planet. I had hoped to stay out till Saturn and Jupiter paraded into view, but it clouded up and I went in.

Location: North Central West Virginia USA. Scope: Tasco 114 reflector 900 fol. EPs: 40mm, 15mm, 9mm, (all GTO plossls), an SR4 economy ep, and a Celestron Shorty barlow.

Later,


Lenny

• Venus - dobin - April 7, 2002 - 13:59 UTC
• Nice report - musca - April 9, 2002 - 17:47 UTC