Constellation: Scorpius, Ursa Major
Asterism: Teapot
Planets: Jupiter with 4 moons
Messier: M44 (Beehive Cluster)
Location: Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, Utah
Date: 2017-05-27
Time: 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Instrument: Telescope (type and eyepieces used unknown)
Transparency: Excellent!
Seeing: Excellent!
Temperature: 14° C - 12° C
Elevation: 5,900 ft / 1,800 m
No clouds, just a light breeze.
I had made arrangements with Red Rock Astronomy to have a sky tour while in Moab. Alex, the proprietor, set up in a small, elevated, open field. Absolutely incredible 360° view of the land around us from our location. It was such an "oh wow" moment to see astronomical objects almost at eye level and to see them so far above the horizon, especially Scorpius! And the stars were so pinpoint!
Alex was showing the group several objects in the night sky through his telescope, proving information about and at times the associated star lore. Because of the number in attendance and the time he allotted for the session, participants only had 15 seconds at the eyepiece. I had this brief view of M44 (Beehive Cluster).
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Jupiter Time: 10:12 PM Instrument: Telescope The planet and its 4 Moons were so so clear! Could even see the Red Spot! |
| Scorpius Time: 10:20 PM Instrument: Visual + Telescope S&T Chart Ref: 56, 58, J I was paying attention to the Big Dipper and watching the stars come out as the sky darkened to identify Polaris. I literally turned around on the spot I was standing and there was Scorpius in all its glory completely above the horizon! Every star in the constellation was found and were very bight and non-twinkling against the night sky. Theta (θ) and Eta (η) were above the horizon at approximately 20° declination. It was so exciting to see!! No words could describe how amazing it was to see this constellation so high in the sky compared to what we see in Nova Scotia. |
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Teapot in Sagittarius
Time: 10:10 PM
Instrument: Visual
S&T Chart Ref: 66, 67, 68, 69, I
I was excited, thrilled, in a state of disbelief to see the Teapot with Ascella and Kaus Australis almost horizontal and at 20° declination. I have never seen it so high nor so clear and bright against the dark sky. Incredible! Couldn't help but stare at it for several minutes while Alex set up his telescope.