June 14, 2013: It is Alumni Weekend at Hiram College. A modern featured program for the annual event is Alumni Night at the Observatory. In all more than 60 visitors came to Stephens, many of them arriving during twilight and before anything could be viewed through the telescope. When the sky did darken enough for viewing, moving people around in the dome was difficult. At first seeing was mediocre but as the sky darkened and the atmosphere settled, seeing become very good. At its best, observers were able to see the Cassini Division within Saturn's rings along with several of the planet's larger moons. Visitors were happy and enthusiastic the whole evening. As the crowd thinned out, I was able to move the telescope to other objects and we had excellent views of M57 - The Ring Nebula, and M4 - the globular cluster in Scorpius. M4 was actually quite stunning with a swarm of stars and a central, vertical bar showing in the field of view. Scorpius was well-placed and beautiful to behold.
As I was leaving I looked back at the Observatory wishing I could stay and photograph the scene: the "scorpion" floating above the observatory dome. One more treat awaited as I crested a hill at the start of my drive home: a glowing orange sliver of Moon floated above the western horizon; a fine ending to the night's activities. A public night is planned for tonight (June 15) but clouds are expected to move in with rain chances beginning around our 9:30 starting time.
Saturn and Moons Image via "Gas Giants" app simulation for June 14, 2013 @ 10:30 PM EDT.
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