It sure was a good night at the Sugarloaf after all the problems with cloud early on.
But I must thank Darren for encouraging us to join him in the famous car park. It was great to be with Michael and Darren's friend Shane with us.
Here is my report from Thursday night 28th July.
As you know, my scope is a William Optics 158mm f/7 apochromatic refractor. My finder scope is a small WO 70mm f/7 apo. Mirror diagonals are fitted to both scopes. My mount is a Berlebach Planet altazimuth.
1. Because our sky was about 90% covered with cloud at first, the only star I could see was Capella. The 6th brightest star was low in the northern sky, and after a while Capella F was seen at 40x. This optical double is otherwise called HJ 2256. Magnitudes: A = 0.08. F = 10.2. Sep = 107.5". PA = 135 degrees. There was too much distortion to figure out the colours. When Capella is higher it's a yellow G8 giant star.
2. As the sky became clearer, Arcturus made an appearance. At 40x its golden colour was nice with CN Boo near it.
3. Straight up was Izar. I had a super tight split at 112x and 140x yet again. It's definitely Pulcherrima all the way.
4. Having shown Izar to Darren's friend Shane, where else to go but to Mizar in Ursa Major? At 40x the 2 white stars with Mizar was a sight to behold. I told Shane that Mizar was the first double star I split way back in 1977.
5. Back I went to northern Boötes, and bypassed the easy double stars Kappa and Iota Bootis. Nearby is a true binary called STF 1871. Its magnitudes are: A = 8. B = 8.1. Sep = <1.89". PA = 313 degrees. At 112x I had a very thin separation and the sight was simply beautiful. Shane said it was a brilliant double star and I completely agree. 140x gave an even better view. The 2 stars are yellow-white.
6. Very nearby is STF 1889. It's an optical double. Magnitudes: A = 6.5. B = 9.6. Sep = 15.1". PA = 93 degrees. At 112x the colours were white and slight orange.
7. S Coronae Borealis (S Crb) was easily seen at 11x with my 70mm small apo. This variable star has now faded however. But it still has a delightful and strong orange colour. I have estimated its magnitude on www,aavso.org as +6.0.
8. Finally I finished up with Saturn with its beautiful rings. I observed it at 112x. Titan, Rhea and Iapetus were observed too. Saturn's magnitude was +0.4. Its distance was about 1,331,700,000 kilometres from us. Poor seeing conditions prevented me from seeing Dione and Tethys.
It was great to have a reasonably clear sky once again at the Sugarloaf.
Let's do it all again some time soon.
Clear skies from Aubrey .
