Wednesday, July 21, 2004

...and a friend Seems I let a bat into the house while moving the scope in and out tonight. Turn on all the lights and open the front door...they usually find their way out. (Yup, I've done this before.) Don't seem to see it around...hope it didn't decide to hide somewhere...or the local stray can't didn't sneak in as well... 11:46:15 PM

ISS John's continuing (mis)adventures in astronomy. Taken aback by the possibility of seeing actual parts of the International Space Station though my telescope, I gave it a try tonight.  Grabbing the latest from Heavens-Above, I set up on the front deck and waited. The thing moves fast, so I practiced hand tracking a plane as it flew by and had some success. Right on time the ISS shows up.  I guesstimate it's path about 8 degrees in front of it and take a peek.  Looks like a white dot moving through a path of stars. I try it again, miss the thing as it flies by.  Lead it again, and see just a white dot... 2 more misses and another white dot and the ISS is in the trees. Oh well. Did check out the Ring Nebula and Albiero again, then put it away.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a pretty good night, and I have a list of things to see... 11:33:51 PM