Clear night in the backyard

[David Kirjassoff]

Warm clear night last night so I set up the 110mm refractor and spent some time with Luna and Jupiter. Seeing was excellent. Observed the “wrinkles” in Mare Serenitatis, both Dorsa Smirnov and Dorsa Aldrovandi.  Also got a great view of the straight line Rupes Recta.

Switched over to Jupiter nearby, clearly saw detail in the bands and watched the GRS rotate out of sight.

Sometimes simple backyard observing under bright moonlit suburban skies can be rewarding.

David

[Alex]

Absolutely. From the Albany Hill hillside (Bortle 6-7) I'm enjoying detailed views of galaxies in UMa and CVn on clear moonless nights with my 12" 1:5. The secret is the meticulous darkness adaptation and its maintenance. Then there are observing skills, which aren't just about "looking from the corner of an eye", but also about atmospheric conditions. When I can't clearly see Sonoma Mountain ridges (30 miles) in my window, I don't bother with visual instruments even if I can see the entire UMi in the sky. But when I can see Cobb Mt behind St Helena (50-60miles) in the evening, I would definitely consider rolling the Dob (now Portaball) out.

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