A beautiful pre-dawn sky

[erick (Eric)]

Just thought I'd share this morning's experience. Setting off for the gym, then work, at 5:30 this morning, I looked up, as I usually do, and had to stop and look for a while. We had a glorious sky. Last night's cloud had cleared and there wasn't a twinkle to be seen and the stars were crisp. Scorpius rode high in the sky with Antares blazing. The last quarter Moon failed to hide the Milky Way. The Cross was low. Jupiter was a shining beacon and Venus was just stunning to see - It could have been a plane's landing lights coming straight toward me. Mars sat close, above Venus. I drove off to the East towards the Morning Star, enjoying the view until I approached Melbourne, at which stage - cloud cover!

I wish I'd been getting the scope out rather than heading for work

[Liz]

What a perfect start to the day, Erick!!

[erick (Eric)]

And I forgot to mention it was a balmy, almost tropical, 15 deg C!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Thanks for sharing that Eric.

[erick (Eric)]

So I got up this morning at 5am, ready to get the scope out, and - cloud. Back to bed

[PCH (Paul)]

Erick,

if you were to ask many folk to describe what they see, they might well be struggling for words after a sentence or two. But you have seen, and thoroughly observed and understood to an impressive degree.

Your description of what you saw is enchanting, and I only wish I knew what I was looking at even a teeny little bit as well as you clearly do.

Thanks and well done

[erick (Eric)]

Finally, two clear mornings are forecast (no cloud, but fog????????????). I'm going to be up 5am each morning for an hour's look at what is happening up there. Cross fingers it is as good as that first glimpse several days ago. And we have a conjunction. And peak Lyrids? Let's see what I can see from the driveway.

Give it a go Paul. Just use "posh" words to describe what you honestly see

[pgc hunter]

Originally Posted by erick

Finally, two clear mornings are forecast (no cloud, but fog????????????).

DSE burnoffs are once again ruining this run of moonless clear nights. Just like clockwork

[erick (Eric)]

Got the C8 out in the driveway at 5am this morning. Clear(ish) sky, no clouds nor fog - but some smoke haze. Plenty of streetlights and the occasional passing car.

C8 was on its wedge with RA motors fired up.

I spent time testing my zoom eyepiece with barlows in response to a request (see some other thread).

Started with my fav - the Jewel Box, then moved to this morning's targets:- Mars, Jupiter, Venus and the crescent Moon.

Mars was its usual orange/red disc - no features to be seen. I think it is also a long way from earth at present?

Jupiter didn't come up well at higher magnification, but always a pleasure to observe. Three bright moons to one side. Three? Suddenly Io popped out of the shadow on the opposite side, very close to the planet but well resolved. That's better.

Venus - what can I say! I don't think I have ever had a good look at this planet, in the morning. I have observed the crescent form, but in the evenings through hot air. It was a glorious crescent this morning - a much more stable view than the evening crescent view. Everyone who hasn't seen this - get out and put your scope on Venus in the early morning in the next month or two.

The Moon - not much left to see that is illuminated by sunlight, but the earthshine with quite strong. I could track over features on the "dark side" with the scope.

Have sussed out the elevations and best locations - I'll tackle the conjunction scene with my camera tomorrow morning - all being well.

[Rokketboy (Jared)]

It was a stunning morning this morning. I'm up at 5 and off to work and I looked up and saw Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon. Beautiful.