This Thursday, May 22, after dark, look at Mars with binoculars or a telescope and you will notice that it is surrounded by many stars. This beautiful conjunction of the planet Mars and the Beehive Cluster (also known as M44) will be easily visible with binoculars even in our light polluted skies. You may have to get away from your street light or other direct bright lights but you won't have to travel to the country. Try your back yard or a local park for instance. Mars appears reddish colored and is nearly overhead in the early evening.
This will be a very informal gathering on the 147.105 repeater to compare views and help people find it. Let's start looking around 9 PM.
Clear skies are currently forcast for Thursday night but you can try to see it both Wednesday and Friday too. Mars is is the center of the cluster on Thusday so weather permitting that should be the best view. You will need at least binoculars.
73, Rick - KK4GV
Stary party report
I ran simultaneous star parties this evening, one on the AARC repeater and the other with a dozen of my neighbors. It was a real nice night out and Mars was lined up in the Beehive Cluster as predicted.
KD3RW, KB3PEB, K3LMR, K3BAY, and N3PZB,(let me know if I missed anyone) joined us and reported their views. KD3RW announced a really bright ISS pass and a bunch of us saw it.
KB3NDS sent me a photo he took tonight of the ISS pass through a 400mm camera lens with a doubler. I'll try to post a link to it.
73, Rick - KK4GV
Thanks Rick, It was an
Thanks Rick,
It was an enjoyable 40 minutes. Even got my wife outside to view the ISS pass....
Keep us posted on the next event.