Hi all
I had a good observing session yesterday evening despite the bitterly cold weather. I had a very good comet hunting session with the 16" low in the western sky close to the sun and then into the higher star rich regions of the Milkyway in the north. The star fields were stunning and i picked up a nice collection of open clusters and binary systems. I have noticed since i have moved house that my attitude to comet hunting has evolved. As i was telling Terry Moseley recently i would sweep the sky at a rate of 1 degree in 1 - 3 seconds which is very fast. At this rate i would sweep very large areas of sky for hours on end. Now i have been sweeping the sky in a far slower systematic detailed manner examining each field carefully. Although i am covering less sky i have noticed that i have been getting much better results with this frame of mind!
I took a break from comet hunting to rest my eyes and at 19.40 i observed the Zodical Light in the western sky. A white/blue elongated pyramid of light following the ecliptic at an angle. It was similar in brightness to the Milkyway in Aquila - a nice sight! This is my 4th observation of the ZL and the first time i have seen it in the evening sky. This was a very enjoyable obsv session in very cold conditions made between heavy snow showers. It has been snowing on and off for 3 days now!
Clear skies!
Martin Mc Kenna
coruscations attending the whole length of the luminosity, giving to the phenomena the aspect of a wrathful messenger, and not that of a tranquil body pursuing a harmless course..comet of 1680
  