Jupiter Shines Bright

[Sunshine]

Last night was one of those rare and beautiful nights where the sky was so dark and, stars appeared like pinpoints.Looking through my 150 Mak, stars were just perfect pinpoints, not even a hint of shimmering, it was like the atmosphere stripped away. A quick collimating check on Vega at the highest power revealed a perfect, absolutely steady concentric rings, I was excited about spending the night in my back yard. It looks like Jupiter will steal the show again this summer, passing by every night at a decent elevation, I have a good 3hrs nightly to observe it as it traverses the gap between rooftops. Last night in particular it shone so brightly and steadily, I had to capture it in a cellphone shot, seen below, like a beacon. Viewed through the Mak with a 9mm Morpheus, it was a joy to observe against a pitch black backdrop, it’s Galilean moons appeared as small orbs. 

It was the stars themselves which were were the highlight of the night fortunately, the rock steady conditions made for Beautiful pinpoints of light. Albiero was my first target, one of my fav doubles, appeared as beautiful blue and orange little orbs, its amazing how one can enjoy a simple double for so long, the colors were so vivid. Soon after, a short hop away was the Ring Nebula in Lyra, usually this object does not take magnification well but, I was surprised to see I could magnify well past the usual and, maintain a well defined ring. Many targets came soon after, I could wright on and on about all the targets I got last night, all appearing beautifully, oh those rare nights where the heavens are merciful, allowing a rare and seemingly unobstructed view. Tonight may well be another night like last as the daytime sky appears free of any haze, tonight I will drag out the dob and drive well out of town. 

Jupiter above rooftops below.

Edited June 22, 2019 by Sunshine