Posts: 373
From: Cranston, R.I.
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-23-2003 08:13 PM               

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Several nights ago Skyscrapers members were very lucky to have a night of observing on the 20" Alvan Clark refractor at Van Vleck Observatory at Wesleyan University in Connecticut (one of the largest refractors in the world!!!). Seeing was just so-so, but we focused on observing the two moons of Mars (utilizing an occulting bar) -- Phobos and Deimos. These are both very elusive with most instruments ... many of us, including myself, were confident that we were able to see both moons! The southern polar cap has shrunk considerably but is still quite apparent under favorable seeing conditions. I was able to use my two new eyepieces that I just received in the mail the day before from Al Nagler/Televue .... a 24mm Panoptic and a 9mm Nagler (wonderful eyepieces ... even though they are expensive, I would strongly reccommend them). Please check out our web site if you'd like to see photos of the Van Vleck Observatory (www.theskyscrapers.com) and share your observations of Mars here on the CollectSpace website ... if you haven't seen it yet, viewing will be favorable through the fall.
If you're ever in the RI area be sure to contact me .... I would be happy to let you view through our 125 year old Alvan Clark refractor, or our computer controlled 16" Meade Cassegrain scope.

Best, Dan

[This message has been edited by Dan Lorraine (edited September 24, 2003).]