| Eddy O’connor | ||||
| Star:
Mlb 3
Date & Time: 7 -8.30 p.m local; UT +9. Sunday, June 17th 2001 Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>. Transparency: 9/10 Location of site: Terara, New South Wales, Australia. 150º.38E; 34º.52S Site classification: Suburban Conditions: No Moon. Temperature: 7ºC Sky darkness: 5? <Limiting magnitude> Telescope: 8" Newt. F9 Eyepieces: 25mm K, 12.5 mm Ortho Magnification: 73x, 146x |
I expected trouble with this star because of the close companion and
the low wattage. I was due for a surprise.
Comments: Lying near the foot of the Southern Cross, this is a delightful pair. A brilliant white star dominated a rich field of stars with a faint yellowish companion preceding it at low power. HS 2. Ambience: The early night started crisp and transparent. Towards the end the coldness seemed to dissipate and suddenly I spotted several clouds approaching from the South. Wild ducks far off settled down noisily for the night and dogs were indoors. Mars, a brilliant object high in the South East sky, presented dark features even at low power tonight. I easily spotted the rounded black spot of Solis Lacus and Mare Sirenum was like a darkened semi-circular cloud. Although the night was cut short I was content after some great viewing moments. I am reminded of that fine poem by Walt Whitman which expresses so well what so many of us feel about these magic hours under the stars. When I entered my bright, warm house I looked it up and it captured my night so well I thought I would share it: A Clear Midnight
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