24 September 2004

Observing Location	Carl Schurz Park
Atmospheric Conditions	It was supposed to have been a good night according to the forecasts but was actually pretty bad. There was a lot of haze that was supposed to have dissipated but didn't. I had a meeting to attend so missed the start of this AAA public observing event when the conditions might have been better and only arrived after 2200. I probably would have done as well to have stayed on the subway and come home to work some more on my vacation or update this journal.
Instruments	Canon 15x50 Image Stabilized binoculars TeleVue Pronto - Rik NexStar-5 - Alice Celestron 8" SCT - Bruce Fjuinon 16x70 binoculars - Tom TeleVue TV76 - Mary
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway Rik Davis Alice Barner Tom Clabough Mary [Brooklyn Stargazer from GOMSA] ????

Target	Moon
Time	24Sep04
Category	Moon
Comments	The Montes Jura in the wall of Sinus Iridum, a bay or Mare Imbrium, looked very high in the 8" SCT.

Target	ET Cluster
Time	24Sep04
Category	Deep Space Objects
Comments	I found the cluster in my binoculars hand-held but was not able to see it in Tom's larger optics on a tripod although I could see the flanking guide stars. Seeing was very variable and generally poor. Alice found it with the GoTo and was able to see more of the body than I was making out.