23 December 2005

My Astronomy Year in Retrospect

It is that time of year when the news services and special interest information outlets are beginning to publish articles summarizing the year from their particular perspective. That will really kick into high gear next week. Why should I be any different? With no major events on the horizon for the rest of the year, no mass transit to get me to TotL, and cloudy weather, now is as good a time to look back as any.

Without going back and reviewing each of my post for the year, there are two events that stand out in my mind. Looking back over my notes it looks like both of them (transit of Jupiter and crescent moon next to M45) occurred in 2004 though.

So with no spectacular events over the past year I am left with the time I have spent behind Peter’s eyepieces observing the planets and the Moon. That is not to belittle these events. We have had some spectacular views of Saturn, Jupiter and even little Mars (although it did not grow to the size of the moon as predicted on the Web). They just don’t stick in my mind the way the graze of Dschubba in 2003 or the crescent Moon in the same binocular FOV as M45 do.

Then there is also just hanging out talking and interacting with the public.

I am glad the transit strike is over, at least for the time being, and I can get back to TotL. Now if only the weather will cooperate.

Year end statistics will follow at the end of the year.

---

Observing Location
Observational Period
Atmospheric Conditions	It has been a cloudy bright day, to use a photographic term. There have been clouds around for most of the day but not thick enough that it was dreary. At one point I even saw sunlight on the buildings attached to mine but it wasn't when CSC said the sky would be clear. Clear Sky Clock graphic At 2030 EST it is mostly cloudy with a few splotches of dark showing through among the clouds but even they are covered by a haze of lighter cloud. It looks like we have low cumulus with stratus and/or cirrus above. CSC is right about the transparency but overly optimistic about the cloud cover.
Instruments
Observing Party