9-8-07 Star Party Report

Last night's star party was more lightly attended than last Sunday's
impromptu event and folks tended to show up on the late side. However, we
still ended up with 20 attendees, 13 scopes, and several binocular viewers.

The Clear Sky Clock was right on the money last night with some high thin
bands of clouds moving across between 9 and 10. After that there wasn't a
cloud in the sky though transparency was marginal.

While waiting for darkness (relatively!) we got in some good views of
Jupiter. Even though it was not that high in the sky, clear banding was
evident as was the GRS. After that there was a lot of double star and
Messier/NGC deep sky viewing. Good views were had (thanks to the OIII
filter) of the Ring Nebula, Swan Nebula, Trifid Nebula, and Lagoon Nebula.

Next Saturday's Star Party will be hosted by Don Gardner. HAL has a
significant contingent heading to the Black Forest Star Party in
Pennsylvania. However, we hope to still see many of you at Alpha Ridge.

Chas Rimpo

9-15-07 Star Party Report

The sky was about as clear as it ever gets at Alpha Ridge on Saturday.
With many of out regulars away there were only about 10 scopes set up
with a few general public visitors.

I had my camera/TV set up and observed M13, Uranus, Neptune and several
geo-synch satellites.

Thanks to all who came.

The next AR Star Party is scheduled for Saturday October 6th.

Don Gardner

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