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Latest Going On

Latest things going on

2024-10-24 Update
Working on putting together a family get-together for May of next year in Durango, CO.
2024-10-17 Update
Just finished updating the Astrophotography Targets page. Now in addition to the monthly list of targets for imaging, I have added information on how to get the most out of your system for imaging including topics such as Back Focus, Image Scale, and Dither & Drizzle.
2024-10-12 Update
Well comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshaw-ATLAS) was a bit of a disappointment. Headed out to PicketPost Trailhead with about 25 other astronomers and were treated to a great sunset. The comet was less impressive, although we were able to spot it and get some photos. Click on thumbnail to see full image.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshaw-ATLAS)

Sunset at Picketpost Trailhead

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshaw-ATLAS)

2024-10-06: We just completed migrating the website to the new Platform utilizing WordPress to create the new website. There are many sections that still need to be flushed out, but most of the Astronomy , Gardening(Laura) and Recipes(Laura) have been worked out. Current focus will now be re-directed to the 2025 calendar and starting to build the Hiking section with a new structure (Based on location rather than date. Tons of work to still do!

What's coming Up?
October 12: Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshaw-ATLAS) should have best visibility on the evening of October 12 when it is closest to earth at a distance of 0.47 AU (This is about 1/2 the distance from us to the sun). Current predictions are that it may be quite bright. Find out more details on this comet here. Optimum viewing time looks to be about 6:30pm where it should be about 10 degrees above the horizon (See image below) Current guess on brightness is in the neighborhood of 1 - 3 magnitude, that would put it about as bright as Jupiter and should be pretty easy to locate about midway between the bright objects of Venus(on the left) and Arcturus the star (On the right). Most recent data along with estimated brightness info can be found on the Comet Weekly Website.

Current plans are to head out to PicketPost Trailhead that evening (weather permitting) to view it and do some astronomy after it sets. I plan on arriving by 5:30pm. Sunset is about 6pm that evening. Other astronomers have been invited to attend. Lastest information on the Whitlow fire can be found here.

BE WARNED: Comets are among the most unpredictable objects there are so many times estimates of size and brightness are wildly off.