Turnout was relatively low for our first public star gaze of 2022 with only 15 guest observers. As usual for Henderson Beach, we started early with solar telescopes. With the Sun finally coming out of minimal activity, there were actual solar phenomena to view. The next object was a 2-day old Moon. It was, of course, visible while the Sun was up but was much easier to view once the sky started to darken.
 John taking a look at the 6% sliver of Moon. |
 Dennis & Frank trying to see the Trapezium as the sky darkens. |
 Dennis selecting the next target. |
 Tom admiring the clouds (NOT). |
Luckily, there were some deep sky objects to see since the only planets visible in the nighttime sky were Uranus and Neptune. Both were very low in the western sky with Neptune setting less than a half an hour after the Sun. The Pleiades (M 45) and the Orion Nebula (M 42) were visible however, humidity induced haze dulled any extended object.
The club mustered a sizable cadre for the first star gaze of the season:
- Frank Atchison
- Clyde Bennett
- Bill Coffeen
- Dave Halupowski & Kennedy Odom
- Tom Haugh
- Marietta and Dennis Hausch
- John Walker
We would like to thank new member Bill Coffeen for the star gaze photos.