This message confirms that there will indeed be a star party tonight, Friday, February 13th, starting at 6:00pm, at Galaxy Quest Observatory in Lincolnville. At least a few members are committed to being there. Everyone is welcome to attend, but please be aware of tonight’s special conditions.
Frigid weather brings excellent transparency, allowing fine views of deep space objects. Galaxies, clusters, nebulae, and Comet Lovejoy should nearly pop out of the eyepiece, but consider the extreme cold if you wish to see them. Real temperatures will be near or below zero degrees Fahrenheit. With the wind chill, effective temperatures may range from the negative single digits through the negative teens; or, if we last longer into the night, possibly into the negative twenties. CMAS is meeting, yet we are not endorsing these conditions as comfortable or appropriate for everyone. Please consider your tolerance for cold in deciding whether to join us, and dress ultra warmly if you attend.
The observatory opens at 6:00pm, but will likely close early due to the cold, perhaps by 7:00pm. Please do not arrive later. Earlier arrival for setup is okay, but be realistic. This is not a night for setting up complex telescopes. It may be enough to leave one’s scope at home and share in the views through the big Dob. Other scopes are welcome, but for tonight, we recommend that anything brought should set up and pack away quickly and easily.
If the weather and timing suit you, among plans for the night are observing Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) in the big Dob. It was at its closest to the Earth during last month’s party at DRA, but despite being dimmer now, it is still spectacular through so large a telescope as we have at Galaxy Quest. The comet has a neon green core inside a soft green body. The colors were easily visible in Wayne’s C8 at DRA, and so should be at least as clear in the big Dob tonight.
As a bonus, the International Space Station will rise from the West at 6:38pm, to fly through the Northern skies. Even if you can’t attend, look for it through your windows, with your naked eyes. If you live further East from Galaxy Quest, it will rise a few minutes later. It will vanish as it approaches the Big Dipper at 6:44pm, when its solar panels are no longer oriented to bounce light toward Earth.
The Astronomer’s Dilemma: Excellent skies and extreme cold, a true Down East pairing.
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