BS: Stargazin'

Subject: BS: Stargazin'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Jul 20 - 08:07 PM

We turned all the outside lights off, donned binoculars and stepped into the (somewhat chilly) July night. No moon, just stars. And the ISS, burning surprisingly bright. And Jupiter and Mars. And five shooting stars in quick succession, then no more at all. And the Milky Way. Light pollution is almost non-existent where we live. The icing on the cake was Comet Neowise, just below the outer edge of the pan handle of the Plough. A lovely sight, just slightly marred by a band of high cirrostratus. We talked about how Betelgeuse might one day light up even our daytime skies.

What joy. The diversity and the beauty of the galaxy we live in. The magic of Godless reality.

Subject: RE: BS: Stargazin'
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Jul 20 - 11:37 PM

How fortunate you are. I have to drive to get out of most of the city glow. I've had to lie to people to agree with 'em they were seing the Northern Lights when I highly doubted those cloud reflections had any true aura in 'em. Goon on ye for taking advantage of the blessings of nature and her holy light as Milton would call it even after he went blind.

Subject: RE: BS: Stargazin'
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Jul 20 - 12:22 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Stargazin'
From: Mrrzy
Date: 22 Jul 20 - 12:23 AM

Um, that was a weird ghost posting. Anyway, OP, yeah, on a long, contented sigh.

Subject: RE: BS: Stargazin'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jul 20 - 04:45 AM

The word "handle" didn't belong in my post! Last night the comet was vertically below the outer edge of the pan.

Subject: RE: BS: Stargazin'
From: Jos
Date: 22 Jul 20 - 04:51 AM

I've tried several times recently on clear nights, got a clear view of the northern sky and the plough, but can I see the comet? No. Nothing. So, so disappointing.

Subject: RE: BS: Stargazin'
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Jul 20 - 05:36 AM

In metro DC the milky way was only crisp and bright about one in 10 years despite light pollution. But I have seen; Mars at its closest possible orbit looking gold with features visible, an impact on the moon, a comet with 2 tails of red and blue , an immense slow fireball traveling north and the ring of Saturn.