Hi everyone. Valerie and I set up my 6.2" apo refractor last night (Saturday) to observe the heavens. Here is the order of what we saw from 9.15 to 10.45pm.
1. Where else to start but to have a look at Venus? The planet is very near Elnath (Beta Tauri), only about 1 degree separating them. Venus is a stunning crescent now, and last night from magnification 112X, we could see the 23% lit phase -the cusps are very easily visible. What surprised me was although there was quite a lot of haze in the sky, I was able to go up in magnification all the way to 374X with a 3mm Radian. Venus was 40", so it was huge at 374X.
2.We had a brief look at Regulus. Magnitudes 1.5 and 8 of this double star visible at 30X. Separation: 177".
3. Algieba or Gamma Leonis visible as a double star at 40X, but very attractive at 112X. Magnitudes: 2.5 and 3.5. Separation: 4.4".
4. And finally, Porrima or Gamma Virginis. Separation: 1.5". Magnitudes 3.65 and 3.65. This is truly a remarkable double star. Back in 2007, it could not be resolved. But now both stars are separating. At 112X, it is shaped like a figure 8. However at 140X and 167X both components are clearly visible in north -south direction. Fascinating orbit taking place.
I couldn't get a look at Saturn, because the haze got much more dense, and I had to call it a night. I also missed out on the Full Moon, but it was another of my enjoyable observing sessions. Feel free to comment, anyone.
Aubrey.
  