These past few months I've been looking forward to attending more of the public and private observing events that the RASC Winnipeg Centre puts on.  Unfortunately, I really don't want to bring my old EQ3 mount, and would much prefer to bring my new Atlas EQ-G mount, which I purchased in February 2009.  However this type of mount of this nature, if fully robotic, and unfortunately needs access to power.  A problem which is not easily solved unless there is an A/C outlet nearby, or at the very least a 12V supply.

Last Thursday, based on the feedback of some of the other members of the RASC Winnipeg Centre, I went down to The Battery Man, and picked up a 55 amp-hour AGM deep cycle battery.  When I got home (very late) that evening, I hooked up the battery to the Battery Tender that I also purchased.  Friday morning the battery was still charging, and by Friday Afternoon the battery was fully charged.

I spent some time shopping on the weekend for parts to 'store' and 'wire' the battery, so that I can effectively have an all-purpose Power Box, but ended up just dealing with the wiring, which to date, has resulted in permanently wiring up the 'charging adapter' (which is quick-releasable from the battery tender), and permanently wiring a 12V auto-style adapter.

Last night, in the ever-present twilight, I decided to get the scope out and test it using the 12V supply, even though I have a 120V supply hooked up right beside my normal observing spot.  Between the mosquitos, the need to polar align, and the twilight and my being very tired, I was only out for about 40 minutes, but I must say that the 12V supply worked spot on.

Next on the list, adapt the battery (and an optional twin) into a Power Box, with an AC inverter, multiple 12V adapters, and maybe even some 9V hookups for items like my focusers.

Tonight, after returning from watching a movie in the city, I decided to brave the mosquitoes and spend some time outside under the stars.  Completely naked eye, without telescope or binoculars, I got my lawn chair from my car, and plunked myself down on my obseving deck and looked up.   I spent roughly 11:45pm thru 1:00am under the stars.

The Milky Way was completely visible, but what really caught my eye was jupiter, rising in the south-east.  I probalby should have brought my binoculars, but I enjoyed what I could. 

I took in the views of the 'Teapot' in Sagittarius, Aquila, Lyra and Cygnus.  Pegasus was rising in the east, and I could just make out the Andromeda Galaxy as a faint fuzzy.  I also short while looking at the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper and tracing out Draco.  Bootes was visible in the west and by the end of my session, was starting to sink below the treeline, as was the 'Teapot'.

I also saw 4 or 5 meteors streaking though the sky (at various locations), and saw about the same number of satellites, all following a north-to-south pattern, between Lyra and Cygnus.  I believe one of them might have been an Iridium, since it 'brightened' dramatically 3 or 4 times as it travelled southward.  In cases, I lost the satellite as it entered the Milky Way. 

I've been told by numerous people that I'm a tough person to shop for. So with that in mind, I'm starting to put together this list of items that would be useful as gift giving ideas.

PC Games

Wii Games

Movies on Blu-Ray

Movies on DVD

Camera & Accessories

Music

Last night wasn't much of an observing night per se. I was outside under the stars, but not because of the stars. My wife and I had invited a number of friends (mostly from our workplaces) and family over for a barbecue and bonfire.

The barbecue was fantastic, as was the company. We started our bonfire about 8pm, using mostly wet deadfall, in the hopes of smoking out the mosquitoes, and for the most part the smudge did the trick.

By about 9pm, most of our guests had left, with the exception of a stolid few, who neither minded the mosquitoes, nor the smoke that kept them at bay.

In any case, as the evening progressed, and the sunset proceeded through to the perpetual twilight that commands our Manitoba summers, the stars started to twinkle into view.

First to appear was the Summer Triangle (Altair, Vega & Deneb). I then realized that the 'handle' of the Big Dipper was visible, and determined that Acturus and Spica were also visible. As the night proceeded, and the brightest stars started coming to life, we say all of Cygnus, most of Lyra, a good chunk of Aquila, most of the Big Dipper, Bootes, and a tiny smidgen of Ursa Minor.

Unfortunately, the early morning wake up got the better of me and by about midnight, I was not only getting roasted by the fire, but I was getting dreadfully tired. My remaining guests, who all turned out to be relatives) ended up staying the night, and I went and crashed into bed.

All in all, an enjoyable evening under the stars, even though I didn't fire up the telescope. even though most of the company had left before 9pm.