This is my report as to what happened down at the Martello Tower, Sandymount last night from 8 to 11 pm.
About 7 observing instruments were used, and about 100 people joined us during the evening. It was great to see Liam Smyth, Bob O'Brien, Paul Byrne, Brian, Paul Walsh, Val Dunne and David Laing among so many others.
70% of the sky was completely clouded out -so we just observed Jupiter and a 6 day old waxing crescent Moon.
Regarding Jupiter at 140X, Io and Ganymede were on the left side of the planet, and Europa and Callisto on the right hand side. At 21.50 Europa passed in front of Jupiter, and could be seen for a full 15 minutes subsequently on the disc-amazing!
The Great Red Spot was visible. 4 belts were visible at 140X. They were the North Equatorial, the Southern Equatorial, the North Temperate, and the South Temperate belts.
Then we looked at the Moon. At 112X, Theophilus was right on the terminator. The interior of the crater was in darkness, but the rim was completely illuminated. Fracastorius, Madler, Isidorus and Capella were observed also.
Lastly, a little gem of a crater for you lunar observers: Torricelli which is shaped like a pear. The crater is 23 Km in diameter.
Considering how cloudy the evening was, all in all we were greatly entertained and the chat was mighty.
Aubrey.
  