by George Feliz
Arriving at 5pm, two other observers (Greg and Pete) were already setting up. I did my 5 minute set up with my dob and left it to cool. We all grabbed binocs (12x36 Canon IS for me) and climbed the hill at the southeastern end of the lot to gain a bit of elevation as we searched for the comet.
We spotted Venus first in the twilight, and began searching along with some new arrivals (David, Brian and a couple who's names escape me). The comet was ~20 degrees west from Venus (mag -3.9) and about one third as high (~3 degrees above the horizon). Soon we could all easily see it through binoculars. The comet rapidly brightened as the skies darkened and became visible to the naked eye. At this time I could not see Altair (mag 0.8) nor Vega (mag 0) so that gives an idea of the brightness. The tail was also naked eye and looked split like a swallow tail. I estimated about half a degree long, and it did not really seem longer in the binocular view. We were able to view it until it set about 5:30. The stunning brightness made the trip up to MB worthwhile all by itself, and everyone was quite energized by viewing it, including David who had seen it the two preceding nights.
The picture Pete took and posted gives a good feel for what we were fortunate to see.
After the comet set, we were left with 5 observers: David (14.5" Starmaster), Pete who was imaging (16" homemade on an equatorial mount), Greg (10", f/4.3 homemade Highe design), Brian (who had ridden up on his motorcycle with binocs) and yours truly (10", f/5 homemade Highe design). Greg and I had a lot of Fun through the night comparing views through the two 10" dobs.
I stayed until 10:45 and left mainly due to the impending alarm clock event set for 6:30 am. Conditions were very good all night long with clear skies, mild temps (I guess mid-to-high 30's), very light wind, and no dew at all. Seeing allowed views of the E and F stars in the trapezium all night long, and I believe David used as much as 400x while searching for planetary nebula. The first hour or two I looked at Eye Candy as Brian had no scope, and my target objects were on the eastern side of Orion. Brian has an Orion 10", f/4.9 at home, but for some reason could not figure out how to transport it on his motorcycle. He seemed appreciative of the views, and I enjoyed the chance to visit with the winter sites.
Eventually I got around to hunting down several H400 open clusters. My favorite two were 2479 and 2509 in Puppis as they seemed "rich and delicate". I used 9mm and 13mm Nagler type 6 eyepieces for 141x and 98x. The seeing would have sustained higher powers, but I preferred the lower power views for the "context".
Along the way I visited the small open cluster 2425 suggested by my friend Milt. It is located under bright, splashy M47 so it is usually overlooked. As I ran out of decently placed H400 targets, I returned to gorging on the bright eye candy. I hope I do not suffer from Photon Obesity. I finished the night with Saturn which was not nearly as high as I would have liked. The closing rings give a different, less spectacular look than views of the past few years. The Cassini division was still evident as was banding on the globe and 5 moons (or stars masquerading as moons).
There was about 45 minutes left until moonrise at 11:30pm, but I was running out of steam, and I left David as the last intrepid observer in the lot. I drove home a bit more slowly than usual after Joe Bob recent deer vs. car encounter. I was home, unpacked and in bed by 11:30. I type this now with clouds rolling in and I'm very glad we "Carpe'd the Noctum" (with apologies to David).
Clear Skies,
George