Had a WOW of a night for a change.

[RAJAH235]

Hi all. Just got back, (2.30 AM), after a great night of viewing. Conditions were beautiful. Dead calm. Seeing around 8.5/9-10, Trans ~ 8-10. Rock solid & almost DRY.
To test conds I went up to 450 X on the Trapezium. Was just able to hold it. Stars pinpoints with diff rings. Best @ about 234 X.
E & F easily seen @ 184 X ...
Went to my favourite, Eta Carina & was able to see the dark lanes/speckles in the Homonculus Cloud @ around 234 X.
Saturns turn next, & at 234 X was able to see lots of details in the rings + a few surface details were picked out.
3 members were imaging so a few pics may be avail later. 1 doing tracked, wide field of M42. Another member, LX90 GPS 8", taking DSI's of M42, Eta Carina etc. The Horsehead was tried late in the session, but am not sure if it will turn out, (tree in way, I think).
Third member was on Saturn with his LX 200 12" GPS, using the LPI. Looked O.K. on screen. Cassini + surface details easily seen.
We also picked up a new club member.
Really stoked tonight.
Got really dewy late & then the damn fog rolled in. Moon was up too so called it a night.
Very happy camper, Jan.
Regards, L. :D :D :D :D :D
ps. Just recollimated too. :thumbsup:
pps. The ISS did it's thing from n/west to n/east around 9.30. Was extremely bright, ~mag 0/-1. Very speedie beast too. No pics tho!

[davidpretorius]

excellent, what is it with the fog? it just rolled in here too just as i was about to have a rip at jupiter!!!

[RAJAH235]

I have no idea Davo. Ground fog came over us when packing up. Hard to see the road 20 ft in front @ X. Darn idiotic weather. Still a happy camper tho! :D L.

[xstream]

Glad to hear you got in a goods nights viewing Laurie.
It was just too damn hot here and it looks like whe're going to get more of the same today. :rolleyes:

[acropolite]

Good to hear it was a good night Laurie, I should have gone out as well.... Watched the tennis until the early hours of the morning....bugger....I think you finished around 3:30AM from your last comment on skype....:D

[iceman]

ah it was the ISS, I thought it must've been.

The kulnura gang saw this last night as well, saw it as it appeared just over the N/W horizon and followed it all the way to the N/E. I agree with it's brightness too - I estimated it at about -1, as it was easily as bright as Sirius when it went near it.

A spectacular sight.