Second viewing night held tonight. Satellite didn't look good today with a big cloud band moving across the State from the west, matched by building cloud in the afternoon. But I went up anyway with my 6 yo grandson for company. The big clouds had gone by the time we got up the mountain but the sky was still very murky as it darkened. Venus & Jupiter were visible so we showed the people those while we waited for dark. Jupiter was great, seeing quite steady, and there were lots of oohs and ahhs over that one (me included!). Orion Neb was a tad underwhelming in the haze but when you explain to people what things are they get a much better appreciation.
As astronomical twilight was coming to an end the miraculous occurred and the sky cleared. We were able to show people great views of the Magellanic Clouds naked eye, and 47 Tuc, Sculptor Galaxy and Eta Carinae Neb through the scopes.
With constant queues behind each of the three telescopes and people going for 'seconds', that number of objects is a good tally for the evening IMO. I think all the participants had a great time, probably about 30 in all. One to go, next Tuesday at Lake Catani again. All welcome!
Cheers -