1/26/2006

I recored this session as being cool and crisp at 30 degrees with calm winds. I observed M-81 and M-82 and jupiter. I recall wanting to see some detail rather badly and my notes show my efforts were rewarded with my first view at the major equatorial bands.

1/18/2006 notes

I observed a handfull of object during this session. Most of my notes are only a sentance or two long and contain little usefull information. It is worth noting that I usually didn't know what I was looking at or what I was supposed to see. My notes reflect dissapointment in several clusters and galaxys, both objects that I enjoy tremendously today. During the session I observed: M-42, M-43, M-52, NGC 6826, NGC 6543, M-82, M-81, NGC 2392 and M-35. I recorded that after about a half hour I was able to "resolve" M-82. I think its more likely that I was only able to just confirm that I saw something. And that probably with averted vision.

1/12/2006 1707 Chantal occultation

In an early attemp to do something productive with my new toy I attempted to obseve and time the occultation of TYC 1843-00401-1 by the asteroid 1707 Chantal. I perhaps bit off quite a bit more than I could chew as I was unprepaired for the task. My notes state briefly that I was unable to observe the event because of interferance from the full moon. I remember rushing around country back roads trying to find a dark spot with a good view of that part of the sky. I didn't have an accurate timepiece to correctly predict the second long blink of the star and I had no star charts so my efforts were probably doomed from the start. My notes also say that I was scolded by the owner of the property I had camped out on for not asking permission first and than finally giving up because of heavy dew and ground fog.