Observations - 6/6/22

Hello everyone. 

I'm almost healthy again. 
You wouldn't have thought that if you saw me 7am today Monday. 

Anyway I have some very interesting news about R Leonis. 
There are now 5 observers on www.aavso.org who are estimating its magnitude as brighter than magnitude +6. 
I'm rather sorry to say that this variable is too low from my abode. 
Perhaps someone else with a low western horizon might catch a glimpse of the star with even low powered binoculars. 

Clear skies from Aubrey. 
 

Hi Aubrey, 

That star is the gift that keeps on giving. I might just try to head off somewhere to observe it again. I think the last time I observed it with you it was 7.1 magnitude. 

Clear skies, 
Darren. 

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Actually, Darren, when you were on the phone to me on the 6th June I estimated R Leonis' magnitude as 6.1. 

I've no idea when we are due clear skies again. 
It might prove very difficult. 
Just some breaks in our cloudy nights are promised by Met Eireann for the rest of this week. 
And R Leonis is getting lower each night. 
We might have to wait until early 2023 before we can check it out again. 
I would dearly love to see it at minimum magnitude at some stage. 
I remember observing Omicron Ceti (Mira) at minimum some years ago. 

Clear skies (when?)
Aubrey.  

Hi Aubrey,

Many thanks for clarifying that estimate. What a great star! 

Clear skies, 
Darren.