I’ve just finished checking out Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3). It’s 4:43am, -5C in the backyard but feels colder. The Sky Quality Meter has just given a reading of 19.65 which is the highest “score” I’ve had at the dobservatory, to-date. That’s a theoretical naked eye limiting magnitude of 5.3 but without checking a chart I dispute that rating because, despite a slight breeze, the transparency isn’t so great.
I located Lulin first with 10×50 binoculars – it appeared as a fairly substantial, gray, hazy patch, not terribly bright yet a fairly easy catch.
The 12″ dob revealed it as a small globular-like entity with a bright core and distinct halo within which was star TYC 4939-278-1. The star and the core appeared to be close in brightness. The star is listed as mag. 7.8 but I expect that would be slightly dimmed by the comet halo in front of it. And the apparent magnitude of both items would of course be affected by the less than great transparency.
That’s the extent of my comet sighting but I couldn’t pack up without a look at Saturn. Even with the rings practically “closed’, it is still an amazing sight.
At high power (214x) I struggled see a fragment of Cassini’s Division. Did I, didn’t I, was it my imagination, an artifact of the seeing? I can’t say for sure but I was able to make out the thinnest ring shadow line across the planet and both North and South Equatorial belts along with Titan, Dionne and Rhea off the one flank.
End of report – I’m going back to bed.

Glenn – out.

UPDATE: 9:40am On checking out a simulation of Saturn it would appear that the gap between the rings and the planet is much more pronounced at this time than any part of Cassini’s Division that would still be visible. Since I definitely did not notice the larger gap I would have to say that I also didn’t see C.D. Perhaps a dark coloured filter to cut some glare would help.

Glenn

This one was a late image. I took it during the ‘Night Sky Live in Binbrook’ last month. It was a great night and despite the cold, we all had fun. I imaged this the same way that I did the Scenic milkyway shot. I thought it looked cool to include the frame with the car lights shining on the base of the tree trunks. Hope you all like it!

KerryLH

Larger version:
http://www.weatherandsky.com/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=5065&g2_imageViewsIndex=3

Sunday night while driving home I saw this really interesting view of a double iridescent halo around the moon when it was shining through cirrocumuls clouds. I checked the weather observations at Hamilton Airport and they reported these clouds to be around 20,000 ft high. I took several images of this when I got home and layered in some shorter exposures of the moon to represent the scene as I saw it. The dark column below the halo I realized came from a passing high altitude jet.

Wideview taken with the Sigma 17-70mm.

CLose up taken with a Canon 100mm lens

KerryLH

Hopefully the skies will clear and the temperature will moderate somewhat so that we can view Comet Lulin as it increases in brightness (possibly to magnitude 5) this month.

Comet Lulin is presently in Libra, rising into view by about 2:00 a.m.. According to Sky & Telescope?s website, the comet will be within 2 degrees of Saturn on Feb. 23 ? a great photo opportunity for our astrophotographers! (hint, hint)

Here is a link to the article on Sky & Tel?s website: www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/35992534.html

You can also google “Comet Lulin” and enjoy surfing through the results while we wait for a break in the dreary winter weather to get a chance to observe this new addition to our night sky.

Ann Tekatch

The comet’s position is marked for each night starting at the bottom left with February 17th. Dates are also printed for February 20th, 23rd, 26th and finally March 1st.

From now until March 1st you have the opportunity to vote on the next target for Hubble to image. Go to the following site where you can choose from 6 “possibles”.
http://youdecide.hubblesite.org/

If you vote, you can also be entered into a draw to win a print of the chosen target.

Good luck,

Glenn

Attired for the frigid environment of Space, Gail and I arrived at the Binbrook gate just after 7pm. The ever-cheerful Steve Germann waved us in and we became the caboose to a train of cars halted by a pile of snow across the road.
Always prepared, the HAA road crew attacked it with shovels and before you could say ?backhoe? we were looking for a spot to park. Our usual spot on the hill was not accessible but one of the parking lots had been cleared and that became base camp.
We had a good turnout. I estimated about 20 people with nearly half of that number being new to the club, or relatively so. It didn?t take long for John Gauvreau to gather a group and begin giving his tour of the sky; and a very entertaining and informative tour it was.
The cold managed to kill 3 laser pointers but didn?t cool John?s passion for his subject or the interest of those who joined his journey through the constellations.
A few scopes were set up and Gail and I had brought our binocular box which also garnered some interest as binoculars were the preferred instrument of the night.
We spent a few minutes helping Jeff and Andreas, who were at Binbrook for the first time, set up the (Bushnell?) reflector they?d been given. After about five minutes of playing around we managed to get the Orion Nebula in the eyepiece.
By 9pm the temperature had dropped to ?15C. It became a challenge to keep toes and fingers frostbite free so we reluctantly packed up. This was probably the second coldest publicized HAA event we?ve been to but, in wintertime, you?ve got to take advantage of clear nights when you get them. It was great to get out under the night sky with our favourite kindred spirits, and to make some new acquaintances, and we hope to do so again, very soon.

Glenn and Gail

A long exposure showing the group… only a few stood still enough for the camera – KerryLH

I found a small, Olympus binocular pouch after this Saturday’s Sky This Month presentation at Binbrook Conservation Area. The owner can contact me by email: tekatch(at)sympatico (dot) ca.

Ann Tekatch

The Sky This Month – Live will be held Saturday 24 January 2009 from 7pm to approx 9pm.

Weather conditions are looking like they will be cold but acceptable to hold this event. We invite all members to come out and join John Gauvreau as he takes us on a journey through the mid-winter skies.

Some telescopes will also be set up to provide a closer look at some of the highlighted objects. Please feel free to bring along your own binoculars or scopes as there is expected to be lots of assistance. Binos are often the best way to work your way around the winter sky.

Be sure to dress warmly for both cold temperatures and moderate winds. Temp is expected to be around -18C during our main observing time and with the winds and exposed location, it will feel much colder.

The main gate will be opened at around 6:30pm and we ask members to meet there for directions to the observing location. If you arrive late, the combination lock may be on the gate. Maps to the park are located on the main page of this website.

We are uncertain about the road conditions in the park, so if you feel uncomfortable, please leave your car outside (but don’t block the gate) and walk in, or meet someone at the gate for a lift in.

Be sure to check this blog on Sat afternoon for any last minute changes.

Most low-power binoculars (7×50 or 10×50) generally have a field of view of about 5 degrees. This week, particularly Wed.(21st), Thur.(22nd), or Fri.(23rd) you should be able to easily find Uranus as it will be within a few degrees of Venus.
Venus is an easily located target and Uranus will be the nearby “star”, that looks more like a little blue ball, in the same binocular field of view.

Glenn

After the HAA’s well attended preview visit to McMater University’s newly refurbished planetarium on Tuesday night, the William J. McCallion Planetarium was officially opened last night in a grand ceremony.

The HAA was well represented by Jim and Celia, Jackie, Tim P., Greg and myself, as we joined Doug Welch and the rest of the university’s astronomy department. Also in attendance were many students, community members, members of the Hamilton Centre, RASC and, best of all, the McCallion family. Mrs. McCallion was charming and very happy to tell stories about the early days when the planetarium didn’t have a dome and she and her husband used an old parachute to project the stars on!

Remarks by Doug, organizer Mike Reid (whom we know well, as he spoke to the HAA just a couple of months ago) McMaster president Peter George and a local school teacher were pleasant and accompanied by a fine buffet. There were shows in the planetarium for everyone, and people then lingered for some time just to enjoy each others company.

Congratulations to Mike for putting together a very successful event, and best wishes to Doug and all the crew at the planetarium for many more years of service!

Doug Welch addresses the audience.

The HAA gets a sneak preview!