The first solar session of September was cancelled due to lack of interest.  Too bad... I'm learning how to photograph through the new Ha solar scope and here is my first capture -

There's a lot to explain here.  These are the same image, but the one on the left is an inverted (negative) image.  You should come and see the sun for yourself!  I can't guarantee the sun will always be this active, but we are at Solar Sunspot Maxima now.  By the way, there are no sunspots in this image!  This is a photo of the chromosphere of the sun which is above the photosphere where sunspots are found.  When the sun has lots of sunspots, the chromosphere is active too!

I only had one visitor at the first night viewing session of September. He got to see several objects in the new Seestar S50.  I was trying to do some astrophotography that night too.  I had some problems with the mount I was using, but those have now been resolved.  The second viewing session of September 27th was better attended.  While we didn't have a solar session, I had 3 ladies from Alma and a couple of guys from the O'Neill area.  We used the Seestar and some of the other smaller scopes.  Jupiter and Saturn were big hits!  The big scope is still not useable since I need to learn how to use the new digital setting circles.  I have lots of outreach events keeping me from getting to that right now. Speaking of outreach - check out the list of upcoming events here. 

This month there will be at least 2 viewing sessions.  I say that because I may try to schedule another one, but it will likely occur in the early part of the 3rd week of October.  We have (hopefully) a bright comet headed our way from its closest approach to the sun on September 27th.  Its closest approach to earth will occur on the 12th, but it will be so close to the sun in the sky so as to be very hard to observe until the 14th - and we may have to meet somewhere else than the observatory since we will need a clear view all the way to the horizon!  There are trees near the observatory that will obstruct the sun.  The comet will reach higher in the sky after the 12th, but will get dimmer too!  The 2 regular viewing sessions are listed below. 

 Please email or call if you will be coming for the solar portion of the viewing sessions.  If no one expresses interest, I can view and photograph the sun from town.  Solar viewing will be finished in roughly an hour after the star time.  You will only need 15 or 20 minutes to see what you need to see and ask questions.  If you're really interested and want to ask lots of questions; I won't kick you out:) 

In case of viewing session cancellation, I put out messages on the observatory email listserv and text lists. If no one reserves for a viewing session, I may opt for another activity at home. Please call or email instead of just showing up.  If you wish to be added to the e-mail and/or text list, e-mail me at mark.urwiller@gmail.com.  If you want to be on the text list I need your phone number and cell provider.   These services are free and free of ads/spam!

Please note these sessions are cancelled if the sky conditions/weather are not good.  What does that mean?  Well, (optical) telescopes can't see through clouds!  It will need to be almost perfectly clear.  The next potential problem is wind.  If the wind velocity is much more than about 10 mi/hr - that's too much!  A telescope magnifies the size of the objects we view - and the effects of the wind!  Lastly, is the issue of mud or snow (winter).  The last stretch of road to the observatory is not maintained. Please check the ClearSkyClock and weather links on the home page of this site!  What if you're in doubt the observing session will take place?  If it's not perfectly clear and calm, you can call (308) 293-5776 before leaving for the session!

The observatory now has a cell phone adapter for scopes and binoculars.  Before you get too excited, please note that cell phones are somewhat limited as to their astronomical capabilities.  You won't be able to photograph the "faint fuzzies" we put in the scope.  However, you will be able to leave with a photo of the moon or a planet :)  This unit features a bluetooth remote shutter so there is no shake to activate the shutter.  Come out and give it a try!