In spite of hazy skies and a nearly full moon, we took turns observing at
the eyepiece of the 22. We observed a
fading nova, V2275 Cyg, and RX Lyr,
an LPV Chaz and Marc were working on new charts for. This is an interesting
star
if for no other reason than the ghostly smoke ring, M57, resides in
the same medium power field.
One of the things I had looked forward to was making positive
observations of some of my program CVs at minimum.
Observations that are
usually difficult or impossible in my 10" scope. As luck would have it SS
Aur, U Gem, KT Per and
TZ Per, four of my intended targets, all went into
outburst during my visit! Just as well, since sky conditions favored
brighter
objects that first night.
Skies deteriorated quickly, so we closed up the dome and went to dinner,
hoping for a change in local conditions.
It rained while we were eating and
never did improve that night, so we spent the rest of the morning in the
inner sanctum
of chart making for the AAVSO, Charles' office on the second
floor of the observatory.
Monday evening looked very promising as I pulled up to the observatory.
The skies had begun to clear and I
could almost smell the Canadian high
pressure that is my best friend back home in Michigan.
Charles and Marc were already there and had opened the dome and readied
the scope for another night of observing.
Unfortunately, Charles had other
plans for the night and asked if I would mind observing alone, since he and
Marc were
busy preparing the new charts for RX Lyr.
I tried not to giggle as I found myself saying, "No, I won't mind having
this huge telescope to myself all
night!"
It happened to be my birthday, and I couldn't have dreamed of a better
gift. At least that was what I thought
at the time.
After a couple hours of being blissfully absorbed in observing in
Andromeda and Perseus, I suddenly began having
trouble seeing faint stars.
I thought maybe it was time to take a break or that the weather had taken a
turn when I
looked out the dome slot and the sky appeared orange. Or was
that red?
It quickly dawned on me as I ran out on to the observation deck that Chaz
had ordered up one of the most dramatic
auroral displays I had ever
witnessed in honor of my birthday! We all stood outside under the blazing
red, orange and
green lights for a long time.
In spite of the moon and occasional auroral flare-ups later that night, I
was able to log several 16th magnitude
observations. The faintest positive
observation was in one of my favorite fields in Auriga, ST Aur. I was able
to see
it at or near minimum at 15.7. After making an estimate of RX And in
outburst I scanned over M31, quite a sight in a 22"
scope.
At times it was necessary to re-align the digital circles on a bright
star. I was impressed by the different
colors of these stars blazing in the
eyepiece of the 22" Mak. Betelgeuse, Aldeberan, Vega and Altair left
lasting impressions
on my mind and dark adaptation!
Closing up for the night felt strangely familiar as I capped the end of
the scope, parked it in the home position,
closed the dome slot and turned
off the power. Of course, the cap for my scope looks like a Frisbee,
whereas the cap
for the 22" is more the size of a garbage can lid!
I slept with a smile on my face that morning.
I hope to return some time soon (around new moon) and do it all again.
