The first Stephens Observatory Open night of the year was a rousing success despite seeing conditions that were less than good. The delayed start of the season's events was due to medical leave. Primary object of the night was Saturn and the planet put in an appearance shortly after 9:30 PM through thin cirrus and late twilight. There was already a good group of visitors on-hand so as soon as Saturn was visible through the eyepiece, we got underway. Gradually, as the sky darkened and the atmosphere stabilized, we saw the ringed world better. Opposition took place only a few weeks previous to the night and Saturn's rings were tipped nicely for good viewing. During moments of good seeing we could make out some hints of cloud bands on the planetary body, separation of the rings where they passed in front of the planet, occasional glimpses of the Cassini Division, and between three and five of Saturn's moons. Over the course of the evening about 50 visitors had seen Saturn, rather well at times and at least once. Two guests stayed beyond the official end of the program, primarily to photograph the Cooley Telescope. Despite increasing sky glow from the rising Full Moon, I decided to fish about and see if I could find the Ring Nebula (M57). After a bit of searching it appeared in the eyepiece and the three of us enjoyed a look before the guests left and I closed up at about Midnight. A brilliant Full Moon wearing a cloudy halo floated above the trees offering a cheerful sendoff.
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