Friday, Dec 9, 2011
CoE Star Party
Darin & Dana Koch
7:30p-10:00p
Guests: 15
Phone, scopes working.
Internet not working.
We decided to call it a "go" last night even though the forecast called for 60% cloud cover, arrived at the gate around 7:16p. I called the front desk to let them know we were there and guests began arriving. I used the phone inside the observatory to call the front desk. We left around 10:00p when the north winds began to pick up, perfect timing. I brought a small space heater and the guests enjoyed the warmth. I turned it on only when I needed some relief, but really it wasn't too cold. I layered up.
We viewed only the full Moon and Jupiter. Seeing was quite good on Jupiter. Thin layer of clouds the whole time made a halo ring around the Moon. Neat. Not a moondog as I actually told people. Moondogs are small crescents on either side of the moon.
The guests we had were on a couples' retreat and mostly military/Army from Fort Hood. Whoever opened the observatory last, left the north wall ropes untied and draped over one of the desk chairs. Good grief.
Dana
