Photos from Ernie's Star Party - May 10-11, 2002

Friday night... arriving and setting up. (Click on the thumbnails to bring up the full-resolution images. All are 1024x768 and range from 125K to 200K in size.)


Views from the bottom of Ernie's driveway.

Michael Linder's 13.1". Many great views through Mike's scope all night long. Spent a lot of time on M81/M82/NGC3077, which were just spectacular. Mike did a bunch of galaxies in Leo while I was hanging out there, including M65/M66 and many many others. Saw M57 at high magnifications. Mike's scope is a perfect match to that Nagler 31mm. A beautiful pair for ultra-wide angle views. Field of view was something like a degree and a half! Who needs a Telrad??


The view from Ernie's deck.


Ernie's getting the 25" all set up. Had first choice of all spots... graciously chose the muddiest. We all figured there was a spring under Ernie's telescope. Squish, squish, squish all night long. Ernie's pant legs were soaked. Worth getting wet, though, for those views! M81, M82 best ever, and Ernie's view of M51 was THE BEST I've ever seen through a telescope. Had to be seen to be believed!

Dan's 18". Beautiful views of the comet, and the second-best look at M51 I've ever seen. Bettered only by the view through Ernie's scope later in the evening.
Don's scope. Superb views all night long. Detail in everything.
Tony's 16". Very fine views of M81 and M82. Excellent contrast, with plenty of detail.
Greg's 10". Didn't get a look, but Greg was ooh'ing and aah'ing all night long!
Steve's 16". Really performed well tonight. The Meade 16" came through big time. Excellent views on M13, especially. Also numerous galaxies.

All night long I saw beautiful views in everybody's scopes. The night was too windy for CCD photography, but I went to Ernie's anyway, as you have to have a "scope mooch" in residence. Thanks to everybody for your kindness and those views! Easily the best visual observing session I've ever had!

Day #2 - After breakfast at Mar J's, Dan, Don, Ernie and I took a drive over to the property I'm looking at north of Walton. Future observatory site??


The four of us standing around and taking in the view.


Don and I check out the problems under the house.

Some photos I took a few weeks ago, showing the view from the site.


Views to the north and east.

Little house, viewed from the east, looking west.


View to the south. Trees go up about 8 or 10 degrees from horizon. Not bad!


View of house from the road in front of the property. House sits up on top of the hill.