Colorado delivered... It was super windy tonight and COLD (50° and probably like 35 with wind chill) my hands are FROZEN.
Worth it though.
Transparency is spectacular. I would have stayed out longer but would have died of hypothermia.
What I saw:
36 UMa
10h 30m 37.58s +55° 58' 49.9" P.A. 303.00 sep 122.8 mag 4.88,8.86 Sp F6V dist. 12.78 pc (41.69 l.y.)
Really excellent target for the 20x65ED. It's fairly easy to see but a pain to find since there's no really good landmarks to follow. However, if you're in the area, look for the "Seven Arrows". A lopsided asterism that's actually really cool to look at! (https://articles.ads...000241.000.html)
STF 1368
09h 36m 04.95s +53° 17' 53.9" P.A. 220.00 sep 21.9 mag 8.79,10.45 Sp F5 dist. 109.89 pc (358.46 l.y.)
and
STF 1366
09h 35m 42.47s +53° 17' 40.4" P.A. 321.00 sep 7.8 mag 8.44,10.09 Sp F2 dist. 95.51 pc (311.55 l.y.)
Could not split 1366. Had to get the telescope out. But 1368 is an excellent target. Pretty much at the limit of what I could do tonight. It's a very cool sight and not hard to find at all.
65 UMa / STF 1579 AB,D
11h 55m 05.74s +46° 28' 36.6" P.A. 114.00 sep 62.5 mag 6.68,6.97 Sp A3Vn dist. 211.86 pc (691.09 l.y.)
What a cool sight! Pretty and bright. There are a ton of doubles in that view but you really need a telescope to split them all.
Lastly I went after
STT 575AB (62 UMa)
11h 41m 34.26s +31° 44' 45.8" P.A. 311.00 sep 44.0 mag 5.79,9.75 Sp F4V dist. 41.15 pc (134.23 l.y.)
Which, again, is a pain to find. I'm honestly not sure I got the right one but I did see a strong primary with a grayish dimmer secondary.
I think the cold had gotten to my brain by that time cause I don't understand my notes.
Fun night! 10/10 would do again with a space heater and more blankets!
BTW, do any of you observe with music? When I go to the remote sites I appreciate the silence but my back yard is LOUD (especially at night). I find that music helps me focus and isolates me from the world around.
Edited by jrazz, 13 May 2022 - 12:23 AM.