Hi all

The weather for Friday looks promising if anyone wants to head out.
The only snag might be the wind from the East, on the Sugarloaf it will be exposed and cold.  If anyone has an alternative let us know.
Ben mentioned St Peter's in Wicklow, what would that be like?

Paul

I'm on for Friday.

Are you thinking of St Kevin's out Brittas way? I don't think we would be any less exposed there.

We could meet at the Sugarloaf at 9 and then go to Trooperstown if it's windy.

Michael.

I'm on for Friday too. 
But 9pm is far too late for me. 
Can we meet at the Sugarloaf at 8pm and then discuss another observing site?

Thanks for organising this anyway, Paul. 

Clear skies from Aubrey. 

Would Glencullen be a better option if the wind is high?  There are trees that can act as a windbreak.

I was thinking that as well.  Will we meet there?
I won't make it before 9.

Michael.

Hello all. 

The winds on Friday will decrease from 15km/h to 10km/h. 
This information can be found on www.met.ie 
The skies are most likely going to be clear. 

Darren and I discussed last night that we are very keen at staying at the Sugarloaf. 
That's because both our scopes are heavy and we're not getting any younger. 
And quite often Darren arrives after 10pm. 

Best regards from Aubrey. 

Glencullen would be no different than the Sugarloaf with regards setting up.
if we decide on the Sugarloaf, can we park in the left side of the parking area, the ground is more level than where we normally park.

That's perfectly fine with me, Paul. 

See you on Friday night at 9pm. 
Sunset occurs at 20.50 Irish Summer Time.
So I should be able to set up my refractor on my own when I arrive without asking one of us to shine a torch. 

Best regards from Aubrey. 

So Sugarloaf at 9?  See you then.

Michael.

I won't be there due to my wife needing the car.  The conditions don't look the best, hopefully I can do some observing from the garden
 

Hello all. 

I started observing at about 9pm. 
The 100% cloud cover ended my session at 11pm. 

1. Immediately I found the planet Mercury becoming buried by the approaching cloud in the western sky with my William Optics 70mm apochromatic refractor at 11x. Then in the William Optics 158mm f/7 apochromatic refractor I counted 7 Pleiades ( M 45) at 40x to Mercury's north. Even though I was witnessing the Mercury - Pleiades conjunction, at no time could I fit both objects in the same field of view. The Pleiades weren't visible in the 70mm apo. And I could not fit both M 45 and Mercury in the same fov at 40x in my 158mm main scope. Mercury's magnitude was +0.3 and its distance was 125,662,756 kilometres from Earth. I couldn't make out its phase because of the cloud.  

2. The great double star Izar (Epsilon Bootis) was visible soon after.Magnitudes: A = 2.6. B = 4.8. Sep = 2.9. PA = 347 degrees. I had no split at 112x and the 2 stars were still touching at 140x. But 167x my scope clearly separated "Pulcherrima". The primary is yellow-orange. B had a slight blue on this occasion.  

3. Regulus was next. Magnitudes: A = 1.4. B = 8.2. Sep = 179.2". PA = 304 degrees. It was nice to see B at 11x in the 70mm apo in the Sugarloaf car park. Normally at home I need 40x with my main scope to see it. 

4. Finally I observed Algieba (Gamma Leonis). Magnitudes: A = 2.4. B = 3.6. Sep = 4.7". PA = 127 degrees. As usual I required 112x to separate A and B. Darren and I both agree that B is more orange than the primary. Although A is still orange all the same. 

Darren showed me M 13 and M 53 the 2 bright globular star clusters with his 10" Dobsonian. 

My thanks to Paul, who couldn't make it, and Michael who was sorting out his camera with Bob.

I was very glad I met up with some of you!   

Let's hope for clear skies for the coming week. 
I have more doubles in Leo to split. 

Very best regards from Aubrey.  
 

Thanks for sharing your observations with us Aubrey. While the cloud meant we had to pack-up early, it was great to see you, Michael, and Bob at the Sugarloaf. I was delighted that you managed to observe Mercury with the low cloud. 

I'll stick up my observational reports later on. 

Clear skies, 
Darren.