Hazy sky but good turnout

Saturday, March 27: During the Public Open Night we had 48 visitors come to the Observatory. Despite high, thin clouds, we were able to enjoy acceptable views of the Moon at about 30-power and 133-power magnifications. We got the season's last look at the Orion Nebula but the view was poor due to those thin clouds above our heads -- looking at clouds (the nebula) through clouds (Earth's weather) is not very good. When Saturn rose high enough to clear neighboring trees and thickening clouds near the horizon the big telescope was turned in that direction. Though not as crisp a view as a good night would afford, we were able to see the planet's ring system nearly on edge to us and, during times of somewhat better seeing, make out the shadow of those rings falling on the planetary disk. We could also see several of Saturn's moons including Titan. (Note: Saturn was at opposition on March 22.) Sky conditions continued to deteriorate so that, by closing time, about the only object visible in the sky was a bright but very hazy Moon. Still it was a good night enjoying views of our universe from Stephens Memorial Observatory. Temperatures in the upper-40s, light wind, Moon was waxing gibbous.