1 March 2007

March (Martius):

From the Roman god of war, Mars; or perhaps in deference to March's stormy weather.

Now are the winds about is in their glee. Tossing the slender tree. William Gilmore Simms

---

Observing Location	VP
Observational Period	1215-1230 EST
Atmospheric Conditions	Cloud Cover Clear but hazy Temperature 41°F Wind Calm Humidity moderate Feels Like very mild It feels like spring again, but they are saying possible alert and freezing rain overnight. Transparency Good Seeing II
Instruments	Canon 15x50 IS binocular w/Baader AstroSolar filter film - Charlie
Observing Party	Charlie Ridgway

Target Sunspots Constellation Aqr Category Solar Time yyyymmdd.hhmm 20070301.1230 EST Comments Distance Light Time 0.991 AU 8m14s Angular Size 32'17" Altitude 41.43° Heliographic Latitude (B0) -7.22° Heliographic Longitude (L0) 32.20° Position Angle (P) -21.61° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2053 There are still supposed to be two groups up there but I can only find one of them.   Groups Spots R North 0 0 0 South 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 R = (Groups * 10) + Spots) Group 944 Heliographic Latitude ° Heliographic Longitude ° Carrington rotation number (CR) 2053 Mcintosh System Axx This group, as far as I can tell, consists of a single spot without penumbra.

---

The current weather prognostication for Saturday evening about the time of the eclipse is for 70% cloud cover and a chance of snow and rain.

---

I had been hoping to see the Space Shuttle fly by on launch later this month but there was a hail storm at the Cape on Monday that damaged both the external fuel tank and heat shield tiles on one of the wings. NASA is taking the craft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for evaluation and repair. They don't expect to attempt another launch before late April. No word yet on what time of day, or night, the launch will be.