MARS OPPOSITION 2022

Location:  Lower west-side Saint John, NB, Canada

Date Time:  Nov 26, 2022 2040-2130

Weather:  Cool, windy, mostly clear, 0.8C, 68% humidity.

Attendance:  Benson, Jarrod and David.

Equipment:  Meade LX 200 with 32mm eyepiece, cellphone camera attached to eyepiece.

Objective:  To view and image Mars as it approaches its Dec 8 opposition.

Report:  

• Mars is very big and bright in the south eastern sky.  Through telescope disc is much bigger than normal and dark features can be seen across its bright reddish face.  A bright white cap can be seen on top edge.

 

• Jupiter was much bigger and brighter, high in the south western sky, which tells how big this planet is compared to Mars.  Even though Mars is much, much closer, it still is half as big as Jupiter is in the sky.  Four of its moons were nicely spaced on either side of the massive gas giant.  Through telescope two bright bands could be seen across Jupiter's face, in line with the moons.

 

•  The big dipper was impressive, low in the north eastern sky.  No shooting stars or satellites were seen.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE NOV 2022

 Location:  Lower West-side Saint John, NB, Canada

Date Time:  November 8, 2022  0530-0630

Weather:  Mostly clear, very windy 25mph gusting winds, making it very cold and difficult to image.  Temps were 7.1C with humidity at 52%.

Equipment:  Meade LX200 telescope with a 32mm eyepiece.  Cellphone attached for imaging.

Attendance:  Myself and many others locally from different locations around Saint John.

Objective:  To view and image the total lunar eclipse that was supposed to start shortly after 5am and continue until after daylight.  Totality was supposed to begin around 620am.

Report:  

• Weather allowed for a major celestial event to be viewed from Saint John.  A first in a long time.
• As reported the first bite out of the Moon happened shortly after 5am.  Spectacular to witness!  The very strong winds didn't let up the whole time.  This made imaging exceedingly difficult.

 

Single shot @ 0546hrs

0556hrs

0603hrs

0617hrs

•  I was surprised in how fast the event took place.  It only took a little over an hour from when the Moon started into Earth's shadow to when it was completely within it.
• No shooting stars or satellites were observed.