JP suggested the astro club get together for a night of big scopes and enjoying the wilds of inland Central California over Memorial Day weekend. The moon would be a skinny evening crescent and the night would be dark and perfect for astrophotography. Sounded great! Of course I wanted to also run the trails out to Laguna Falls once again, and test my hip progression. Anne was game as well, and both Anne and I looked forward to cooking a tasty breakfast for all. I was decided Friday night would be our big night. I brought the Losmandy GM8 for guided imaging using the Nikon D7000 at the focus, and trusted stacking to bring out the faint details. The moon would be a razor thin cresent setting in twilight. And, Anne and I both felt the need to get back home late Saturday. Chris K, JP, and Kirk would stay a second night. Once we were out there and the city left behind, it was tempting to stay a second night, but then, I looked forward too to a swim 'round the wharf with my swim friends, and to getting needed work done as well. Anne had to get back to babysit her dogs and cat, who had no caretaker this time.

Weather was iffy at first, as a low pressure area swept down over us that day. But skies promised to clear at 11pm and that was good enough as my main plans were to photo the summer Milky Way which would not be well placed till then anyway. Got some nice images of Comet Johnson too - a treat, as I wasn't sure it would be bright enough to make a good final image. The green carbon2 emission was nice.

Sunset...

The moon and clouds were perfect

Comet Johnson in the evening sky. A Registax stack of a number of images. I'll try it again using ImageStacker, which I'm just learning.

The Lagoon Nebula, rising in the east.

The M4 region of Scropii - dust reflects the red giant light of Antares, while hot Tau Scorpii gives blue light to reflect off local dust. The great globular cluster M4 is between Tau Scorpii and Antares

 more to come when I get time... patience!    

We had FUN! This is such a special place in the spring. Dark skies, flowers, swimming holes after a long hike, waterfall beauty. I've made this place my new GoTo for Astro 27 "Field Astronomy at Pinnacles National Park, with Pinnacles itself just visited on Sunday on the way home. There's too much to offer in all ways at this place right here.

The summer Milky Way rising in the east mid-evening

Yummy salad thanks to Ann

Beautiful views day or night from our spot.

Next morning, Chris K with his big scope gear

I cooked some veges for breakfast for people.

Ann enjoyed her new tent. Earlier, a falling tree branch at Pinnacles National Park had ruined her long time tend (and almost her, too).

After breakfast, we trekked off to Laguna Falls, which is below Laguna Mtn in the distance here.

I got in some jogging miles.

jogging, between photo op's

Laguna Falls is special when we've had winter rains.

A tadpole! A rare sight these days.

JP launches

Chris, in between studying the snail population in the swimming hole, dove in too.