Category: Observing Report
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Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
As seen from my back deck facing north in July 2020. Was truly an awe inspiring object to view naked eye with binoculars and to photograph with my Canon M50 camera. I hope to see more comets like this one in the future.
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Public Star Party 6/22/2019
CMAS held a public star party at my home (first star party here) aptly named Foss Hill Observatory, here in Rome. We had a great turn out of about 15 people. One new member joined us from our Facebook group. He was interested in astrophotography and got to see another member’s setup for taking photos…
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Stellafane 2017
Back towards the end of July, I attended the Stellafane Convention in Springfield, VT for the first time. Every amateur astronomer that I’ve talked with says that Stellafane is a must-do trip. I’m happy to report that yes it is a must-do trip. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Here are my thoughts in a somewhat chronological…
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Workday & Public Star Party 6/24/2017
With the help of members and volunteers, we managed to paint more of the exterior of the Brower observatory. I helped finish the installation of shingles. It’s nice to see the observatory looking much better. It felt much drier inside too. Still more painting to do, fill in cracks and eaves with spray foam, and…
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Public Star Party 3/4/2017
CMAS held a public star party at the Brower Observatory in Whitefield. The weekend before was supposed to have been our public star party (during new Moon phase) but weather forced us to change to our rain date. Weather was extremely cold with temperatures from single digits to 10F, with occasional gusty winds blowing. Despite…
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Public Star Party 1/28/2017
CMAS event at DRA. Weather was good. Temperatures in the upper 20s. Slight breeze. Seeing was good, atmosphere pretty still. Transparency was poor at the horizon but very good at the zenith. I carpooled with my club’s president and we had about six other people, some club members, show up to the star party. There…
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Public Star Party 12/4/2016
I went out to our club’s really dark site last night, about 1 hr 15 mins from my house in Lincolnville, also known as Galaxy Quest. Weather finally cooperated for a public star party event: temps were cool around 20F, only a slight breeze occasionally, no clouds, and the atmosphere seemed dry to me. Granted…
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2016 Maine State Star Party
I got back earlier today from the Maine State Star Party, hosted by Downeast Amateur Astronomers at Cobscook Bay State Park in Dennysville. Wonderful state park. Has all of the luxuries: running water, hot showers, secluded camp sites, and of course dark skies (only 3 small buildings have lights and all are surrounded by thick…
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Public Star Party 8/6/2016
Last night I went out with the local astronomy club to a club site at Damariscotta River Association land trust. In the afternoon a rain shower must have rolled through as the ground was a little damp. Lots of clouds but weather forecasts said clearing by 10 or 11pm. Got to the site after a…
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Public Star Party 4/30/2016
I went out to my local astro club starparty last night. Well, it started with some solar observing at a club member’s house around 3pm. Weather was spectactular. No clouds, bright blue skies, just a light breeze, warm around 50F. I counted 7 or 8 sunspots visible. I brought my repaired Celestron Nexstar 4GT with…