Peering though murky clouds

[John]

Not a good night here really for observing anything but there were one or two stars showing so I stuck the Tak 100mm refractor out anyway.

It's cold and windy as well as pretty cloudy so I've just stuck to favourite double stars just to be observing something.

My thanks to Algieba, Castor, Mizar and Theta Auriga for putting a smile on my face in these rather grim times

Algieba (Gamma Leonis) is a lovely golden and slightly unequal brightness pair which was the first double star that I ever observed with a telescope - my old Tasco 60mm refractor about 40 years ago !. It looks very nice with the Tak too of course

 

[JeremyS]

3 minutes ago, John said:

Not a good night here really for observing anything but there were one or two stars showing so I stuck the Tak 100mm refractor out anyway.

It's cold and windy as well as pretty cloudy so I've just stuck to favourite double stars just to be observing something.

My thanks to Algieba, Castor, Mizar and Theta Auriga for putting a smile on my face in these rather grim times

Algieba (Gamma Leonis) is a lovely golden and slightly unequal brightness pair which was the first double star that I ever observed with a telescope - my old Tasco 60mm refractor about 40 years ago !. It looks very nice with the Tak too of course

 

You are right: even a short glimpse under unfavourable conditions brings a smile to the face, John 🙂

 

[JonCarleton]

May fault entirely.  We haven't had a clear, dark night since I bought my scope back in January.  My apologies!  I may change my nickname to "CloudJinx."

That said, I did get a glimpse of Venus last evening.  I was having real problems getting the focus right remotely when I went outside and realized that I couldn't even see the planet through the clouds.  I was amazed the scope could pick out anything through that mess.

[kerrylewis]

Good luck John

I chickened out tonight but thinking I might have a go tomorrow for some smiley doubles and perhaps even comet?

Kerry

[Ciaran Meier]

Out with the scope at the moment just outside Belfast.  High icy cloud now rolling in, forecast promised clear skies, oh well.  Been galaxy hunting but very close to calling it quits.  Yep, complete cover now. Gonna go home. 

 

[John]

I've packed up for tonight Kerry.

It was nice to just get some views of the starry sky though

[scarp15]

As you say John, "it was nice to just get some views of the starry sky though", you can take that. We're quite a resilient lot really.