January 5, 2024 Astronomy Observing Session

CHANGED: If we get clear skies Friday, we should be able to observe several prominent winter-sky nebulae as well as Jupiter and Saturn. I will also attempt to land the 14” telescope on Comet 144P/Kushida. I admit in advance that I haven’t previewed it so I’m not at all sure if it can be captured!

Jupiter is high in the southern sky as darkness sets in and Saturn is advancing closer to the western horizon. Orion, Gemini and Taurus are now high in the southeastern sky. The Big Dipper remains below Polaris, obscured by the tree line.

We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory. Inside the observatory, you can watch deep sky objects grow in detail and full color on a wall-mounted monitor. Public sessions are co-facilitated by one or more of our talented cohort enthusiasts:

• Mark Borton
• Roger Charbonneau, Jr
• Jon Dean
• Jay Drew
• Scott Mallory
• John Natale
• Parag Sahasrabudhe
• Alan Sheiness

Young or old, experienced or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines. For questions or comments, please contact us at astronomy@lymelandtrust.org.

Clear skies!

PS

If you like these programs and you are not currently a Lyme Land Trust Member, please consider joining us using the green Become A Member link at the top of the LLT page.