Next Tulamore AS Meeting - Observing Mon April 18th

Hi folks,
sorry about the lateness of this, been busy all weekend.

Observing Session:
Tonight, meet in the Tanyard car park outside Hire Depot at 8:30pm, and we then head out to the Observatory Site together. Children must come with an adult. Weather permitting! Wrap up warm, bring any telescopes or binocuars, or share with what is available. Admission free!

Clear Skies (I hope!),

Seanie.

Last night turned out to be a very clear night despite the hail and rain during the day! Due to the on-off weather, only 7 people came out, but boy were we not disappointed! Despite the half Moon, there was plenty of activity going on. The Session lasted from about 9:20pm to 11:50pm.

Favourite targets despite the bright Moon were Jupiter, Saturn, the Coma Cluster, The Beehive (M44), M65 & 66 galaxies, the Perseus Double Custer, M36/37/38, attempts for M101 and M51, but it was too bright to find Machholz. Plenty of satellites were spotted during this time, an official count was 23! 2 consecutive Iridium Flares right on time (according to heavens-above.com), and 2 bright satellites that almost collided! some April Bootid meteors, but no Lyrids were seen. Instruments on view were various binoculars, a 3 inch reflector, and a 10 inch Dobsonian reflector. Sorry or those that mnissed out on TAS's first clear Observing Session this year! (all the rest that were planned were all clouded out!).



Seanie.