Monthly Archives: August 2015

Aug 18 2015

New Visual Telescope for the Observatory

The observatory took delivery of a new 16″ f/8 ACF Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope this summer. It has been installed, collimated and tested out on a recent clear night. This telescope joins the list of instruments available for swap in the Kurtz Dome. With a 16″ aperture, it has the largest light gathering power of all the instruments at the observatory and also the highest resolving power. We cannot wait until Saturn and Jupiter are in our skies! Stay tuned for information about open houses and other observing opportunities. http://www.twitter.com/PEA_Obs

16" telescope newly installed

The new 16″ telescope just after installation with Dr. Ward and Dr. Adams.

16" First light

On the evening of the 16″ first light. We were able to enjoy nice views of M-16, M-13, M-57 and more.

 

 

Aug 9 2015

Time for Meteors!

The Earth is headed through two meteor streams at this time, both pretty abundant in meteor activity, or just sheer quantities of meteoric dust. Peaking on August 12-13, the Perseid shower is one of the best known. The shower comes from the debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. It has many bright meteors and plenty of fireballs. It has often reached numbers over 100+ per hour and is well worth staying up for. Like most meteor showers, we see more meteors when the observer is on the side of the planet that is facing into the stream. This is when we are facing the morning side of night…. i.e. after midnight. So, bug spray, warm drinks, and a sleeping bag are the tools of choice. No need for an observatory. No need for binoculars. No need for lighting. Get away from the town and city scene. Get into the dark country skies, lie down, look up!

If that were not enough, the second shower (remember there are two) is the Southern Delta Aquarid which \gives us some 10-20 meteors per hour. It is a good season for meteors!