AAS Star Party
August 26, 2005

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The Amador Astronomical Society held a 'First Light' star party for its members and guests at their new observing ground at Telescope Flat on Friday, August 26th from 7 PM to Midnight. 360 degree dark sky viewing enabled participants to see a long list of great objects (see below) starting with Venus and Jupiter just after sun down, Uranus, Neptune, Messier objects, clusters, double stars, and a viewing of Mars just before moon rise at 11:45. AAS Astronomers Bob Works, Herb Lee, Dennis Mashburn, Phil, Barbara and Joran Kreiss and AAS president Larry Brown supplied telescopes for the event. Larry Brown provided an interesting lecture on viewing the summer sky. Larry and Bob furnished a couple of laser pointers. A special thanks to Larry Brown, Bob Works and Phil Kreiss for using the lasers to allow the audience to easily see the constellations discussed. A great show!

Video Click on the image to download a video of AAS setting up for First Light at Telescope Flat in Windows Media Player format. Silent. (266 KB)
After sun down: Everyone is set up and ready to observe. Taken 8:17 PM by flash, Canon G5 digital.
Looking to the West at the sunset, Phil and Herb observe the planet Jupiter and Venus. Venus is visible in the photograph. Taken 8:20 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital.
Herb and Phil discussing telescopes. 5 inch TeleVue refractor shown. Taken 8:22 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second exposure.
Bob sighting his 4 inch refractor telescope. Taken 8:23 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second exposure, enhanced in Photoshop.
Dennis Mashburn and guest Dennis Mashburn Sr. with a Dobsonian reflector telescope set up and ready to go. Taken 8:24 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second exposure, enhanced in Photoshop.
Larry discussing the nights viewing with Dennis. Taken 8:25 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second, enhanced in Photoshop.
Larry Brown with his 11 inch automatic 'Go-To' Celestron Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. Taken 8:26 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second, enhanced in Photoshop.
Joran and Phil Kreiss with their 8 inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with guest Joyce Sutton. Taken 8:29 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second, enhanced in Photoshop.
Bob Works observing with his telescope and guests Eileen Sullivan and Joyce. Taken 8:31 PM, existing light, Canon G5 digital. 1 second, enhanced in Photoshop.
5 inch TeleVue refractor telescope, Dennis and guest Dennis Sr. Taken 8:38 PM with flash, Canon S45 digital.
Joran and Barbara Kreiss with Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Taken 8:39 PM with flash, Canon S45 digital.
Sagittarius and Scorpius, Taken 9:09 PM, existing light, Nikon 995 digital, 21 second exposure enhanced in Photoshop.
Jupiter and Europa, Sony analog video camera. Taken at 8:10 PM PDT. Camera set on standard time.



A list of some of the great objects we saw:

  • Andromeda
    • M31 The Andromeda Galaxy spiral galaxy (type Sb)
  • Aquarius
    • M72 globular cluster
  • Capricornus
    • M30 globular cluster
  • Cassiopeia
    • M52 open cluster
  • Cygnus
    • M29 open cluster
    • M39 open cluster
  • Hercules
    • M13 Great Hercules Globular Cluster globular cluster
  • Lyra
    • M56 globular cluster
    • M57 The Ring Nebula planetary nebula
  • Ophiuchus
    • M12 globular cluster
    • M19 globular cluster
  • Sagittarius
    • M17 The Omega or Swan or Horseshoe Nebula diffuse nebula
    • M20 The Trifid Nebula diffuse nebula
    • M21 open cluster
    • M25 open cluster
  • Scorpius
    • M4 globular cluster
    • M6 The Butterfly Cluster open cluster
    • M80 globular cluster
  • Scutum
    • M11 The Wild Duck Cluster open cluster
    • M26 open cluster
  • Triangulum
    • M33 The Triangulum Galaxy (also Pinwheel) spiral galaxy
  • and
    • M51, Whirlpool Galaxy
    • Venus
    • Jupiter (transit of Io)
    • Uranus
    • Neptune
    • Mars
    • Polaris double star
    • Alberio double star
    • Blinking eye Planetary Nebula
    • Double Cluster in Perseus