22 August 2006

Observing Location	CSP
Observational Period	0415-0700 EDT
Atmospheric Conditions	When I arrived it was cloudy overhead but it looked like there was clear air over the bridge where the ecliptic was rising. As it got lighter I could see that there was clear air there but the clouds were moving down into it. All the sightings were made through gaps in the clouds and were not long sightings. It was mild and not very humid. There was not much wind. Transparency Poor Seeing
Instruments	Canon 15x50 IS binocular w/Baader AstroSolar filter film - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway A man and woman who have some involvement with AAA, I have forgotten their names

Target TRMM Visible Pass Constellation Category Satellite Time 20060822.0444 EDT Comments Not Seen This satellite was supposed to have come out of the south and disappeared in the ESE but it was too cloudy out there to see anything.

Target M44, Praesape, The Beehive Cluster Constellation Cnc Category DSO Time 20060822.0448 EDT Comments I feel like there is stardust that is just below the level of visibility just above the arch of the bridge

Target Venus Constellation Cnc Category Planet Time 20060822.0502 EDT Comments I was watching and Venus just apeared. It was like an Iridium flare. It pulsed as bands of clouds went in front of it and even created a big halo around itself.

Target Moon Constellation Cnc Category Lunar Time 20060822.0506 EDT Comments The moon was first seen naked-eye over the center of the bridge. The crescent was visible from 9:00 to 3:30. It was last seen at 0458 EDT when it was at 28d5h16m, 1d9h21m from new, 1.9% illuminated, and 15.72° from the sun.

Target Saturn Constellation Cnc Category Planet Time 20060822.0535 EDT Comments I and the other man saw something that we thought was Saturn. I only had sigiht of it momentarily and it appeared to me not to be round, but I didn’t have time to get it into critical focus in the center of the FoV before it was covered by clouds. Later we all saw something larger and rounder lower down on the horizon that did not appear to change in azimuth that I initially thought might be Saturn but it seemed to alternately flash red and green so the woman and I decided it was more than likely a plane while the man was sure it was Saturn.

Target Sunspots Constellation Leo Category Solar Time 20060822.0630 EDT Comments I waited a long time hoping the sun would pass behind a gap in the clouds and it finally did but the bottom limb where the spots are nover got into clear air so I don't know for sure if I saw then through the cloud or was seeing a thicker patch of cloud. About that time a guy came through who has a Meade LX200 somewhere out on the island and wanted to talk about observing. He doesn't know the sky well but wants to learn and may stop by TotL some time with his binocular. If the sun ever came into clear air again it did it while I had my back turned on it talking with him.