First Sighting of Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina

Comet this morning at 5:30AM.





Long term

Holiday Card to Tucson Concert

Holiday Card Program

Concert Program

A wonderful program as always!  Magnificat with soprano Naomi Simpson was angelic!

Moon Occults Venus 9:25:15 AM in Daylight

Luckily the clouds parted for this rare occurrence.  Could see it with naked eye, binoculars and 80ED scope!!!  Caught it Just In Time!!!!!

And at 11:15:45AM Venus reappeared on the dark side just as clouds came over.

Got Lucky!

Clouds turn pink

I noticed that clouds turn pink as they pass through the sun's diffraction ring(s).

Owls next door in tree

Looking at me, mom on left, look at the fledgling's claws.

Owl family next door

Owl family in palm tree

Close up of mother and baby

Close up of second baby

April 4 2015 Lunar Eclipse - Total Partiality - Totally Partial - Partially Total - Partial Totality

April 4 2015

5 AM - Total not total!

Was not total!

Was like the diamond ring effect on solar ones!

First photo at 5:21 am second at 5:23 am.  Mid eclipse scheduled at 5 sharp.

The stars of Scorpius were shining brightly.

The Nova Sagittarii 2015 No 2 has brightened such that it is brighter than any of the nearby stars!


http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/april-4th-lunar-eclipse-not-total-040320156/

http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/496434-lunar-eclipse-4415/

http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/496218-lunar-eclipse-duration/

Watson has an idiopathic epileptic seizure

Started about a month ago.

Our dog has an  idiopathic epileptic seizure.
This one is not so severe.

He is a good dog!

New Nova in Sagittarius - Naked Eye

Nova Sagittarii 2015 No. 2 ( PNV J18365700-2855420 )


March 21 04:30am (11:30UT)


Saw new nova naked eye barely direct vision!


Again on 3/23, 3/24, 3/25 faded to only binocular vision.


Checked magnitude on 3/25 using below chart and finder diagram,

note mini-Sagittarius asterism below Nova!

Nova is circle in middle of diagram.  Star HIP 90485 magnitude 5.9

seemed to be comparable in brightness.


Note in evening can still see Comet C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy in Cassiopeia in evening.

Also 3/21 day old new moon was next to Mars.
3/22 2day old moon next to Venus.
Good skys mostly.
Owls hooting one landed in our tree in early evening.
Roses blooming.
Temp was 54 degree early in morning!

Owl next door

Who Who Hoo Hoo

January 2015 New Years Day SNOW

Look at the weather on New Years Day!

November Dana Point

Nice trip November first week 2014 at Dana Point