1996 TEXAS STAR PARTY OBSERVING REPORT

I left Friday morning the 10th of May from here in Fenton, Mich. It was raining. Thoughts of clear dark sky were dancing in my head. Heading down US-23 I thought to myself, I hope the weather in Texas is better than here. It continued raining, through Indianapolis where there were reports of hail and tornadoes, and St.Louis, through Missouri where the rain was a blinding storm, and finally into Tulsa Oklahoma. I continued to drive until 1:30 am Saturday just about 40 minutes south of Oklahoma City. There I took a 3 hour nap across the front seat of the van. About 4:30 I woke up, went inside the rest stop station and got a cup of coffee. Then on the road again. About dawn I crossed into Texas. Almost there I thought. And it is still cloudy. HA. I drove for another 8 hours before I reached the mountains and guess what. It cleared up. While sitting on the road to the ranch, waiting for a construction zone to open back up, I, along with the other 20 cars, got out to walk around. As we started conversing, they were all here for the TSP also. I figured, I finally made it. Another 20 minutes and I pulled into the ranch. This was Saturday afternoon at 1:30 CDT. I registered, found the RV site we were assigned, and then setup the camper. Maybe I could get a few hours of shut-eye before dinner. Not so, I had to setup on the observing field, while there was still room somewhere near the camper. Once that was done, it was dinner time. Well I was hungry, so off I went. After dinner, I could get some sleep before sunset. NOT. The sky was dark blue, and the sun was going down, and a few hundred people were now starting to unpack and prepare for a night of observing. This was going to be great, if only I could stay awake. Around 8:00 Roger Tanner rolled in from Tuscon, Arizona. We got his trailer setup on the observing field, and he started unloading his 17" and all the electronic gear he brought with him. It was getting dark by now, so he decided he wasn't going to be able to get it all setup before midnight. Instead he came over to where I was, and we observed through the 20". Here we go.
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MAY 12, 1996 1hrs UT

Still twilight and I can see the core of M51 already. Hot dog. I did my leveling and the 2 star alignment on the NGC-max and we were ready to go.

It is now, DARK. M51 is fantastic, great contrast and detail in the arms.

Here goes the list for tonight.

M104 - Sombrero Galaxy NGC 4594 Edge on galaxy dusty. Constellation Vir Magnitude: 8.3 RA:12h 39m 49.8s Dec:-11d 35' 55" Very easy and sharp
Omega Centauri - NGC 5139 Globular cluster highly resolved. Constellation Cen Magnitude: 3.7 RA:13h 26m 37.2s Dec:-47d 28' 04"
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy NGC 5194 Spiral galaxy structure attached companion. Constellation CVn Magnitude: 8.4 RA:13h 29m 45.8s Dec:+47d 13' 18"
NGC5128 Round galaxy dusty. Magnitude: 7.2 RA:13h 25m 18.3s Dec:-43d 00' 04"
NGC 4361 Planetary nebula irregular. Constellation Crv Magnitude:10.0 RA:12h 24m 19.8s Dec:-18d 46' 57"
M100 NGC 4321 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude: 9.4 RA:12h 22m 43.7s Dec:+15d 50' 14"
NGC4328 Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:14.3 RA:12h 23m 9.7s Dec:+15d 50' 25"
NGC4322 Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:14.9 RA:12h 22m 51.3s Dec:+15d 55' 35" Size (mins) 1.1 x 0.8
NGC4312 Very elongated galaxy. Magnitude:12.8 RA:12h 22m 21.1s Dec:+15d 33' 33" Size (mins) 4.5 x 1.1
NGC4396 Edge on galaxy. Magnitude:13.2 RA:12h 25m 48.9s Dec:+15d 41' 32" Size (mins) 3.3 x 1.0
IC783 Galaxy Magnitude:14.6 RA:12h 21m 28.5s Dec:+15d 46' 00" Size (mins) 1.3 x 1.1
NGC 4379 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude:11.7 RA:12h 25m 1.7s Dec:+15d 37' 13" Size (mins) 2.0 x 1.7
NGC4421 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.6 RA:12h 26m 52.2s Dec:+15d 28' 56" Size (mins) 2.7 x 2.0
NGC4419 Very elongated galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.2 RA:12h 26m 46.5s Dec:+15d 04' 05" Size (mins) 3.3 x 1.1
NGC4377 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.9 RA:12h 25m 2.2s Dec:+14d 47' 04" Size (mins) 1.7 x 1.4
NGC4298 Elongated galaxy. Magnitude:12.1 RA:12h 21m 22.3s Dec:+14d 37' 38" Size (mins) 3.2 x 1.8
NGC4302 Double star equal magnitude. Magnitude:12.7 RA:12h 21m 32.1s Dec:+14d 37' 18" Size (mins) 5.5 x 1.0
M99 Pin-wheel Nebula NGC4254 Spiral galaxy structure. Magnitude:10.1 RA:12h 18m 38.9s Dec:+14d 26' 20" Size (mins) 5.4 x 4.8
NGC4262 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.4 RA:12h 19m 20.3s Dec:+14d 53' 57" Size (mins) 1.8 x 1.7
NGC4186 Round galaxy. Magnitude:14.7 RA:12h 13m 56.0s Dec:+14d 44' 51" Size (mins) 1.1 x 0.8 Position Angle 60.0
M98 NGC4192 Very elongated galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:10.8 RA:12h 13m 37.8s Dec:+14d 54' 56" Size (mins) 9.7 x 2.7 Position Angle 154.0
NGC4237 Elongated galaxy. Magnitude:12.6 RA:12h 17m 0.3s Dec:+15d 20' 41" Size (mins) 2.1 x 1.3 Position Angle 108.0
NGC4405 Round galaxy. Magnitude:13.0 RA:12h 25m 57.2s Dec:+16d 12' 04" Size (mins) 1.8 x 1.1 Position Angle 20.0
NGC4383 Elongated galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.9 RA:12h 25m 15.3s Dec:+16d 29' 25" Size (mins) 2.0 x 1.0 Position Angle 28.0
NGC4350 Edge on galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:11.9 RA:12h 23m 47.9s Dec:+16d 42' 48" Size (mins) 3.0 x 1.5 Position Angle 28.0
NGC4340 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.1 RA:12h 23m 25.2s Dec:+16d 44' 43" Size (mins) 3.5 x 2.8 Position Angle 102.0
NGC4344 Round galaxy. Magnitude:13.3 RA:12h 23m 27.5s Dec:+17d 33' 42" Size (mins) 1.6 x 1.6
NGC4239 Round galaxy. Magnitude:13.3 RA:12h 17m 4.3s Dec:+16d 33' 09" Size (mins) 1.8 x 1.2 Position Angle 120.0

Time to sleep....

May 13, 1996, 0UT

I picked up a upgrade kit for the focuser on the 20" from Astro Systems. Now the focuser does not slip.

M104 Sombrero Galaxy NGC 4594 Edge on galaxy dusty. Constellation Vir Magnitude: 8.3 RA:12h 39m 49.8s Dec:-11d 35' 55" Size (mins) 8.0 x 5.0
M105 NGC 3379 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Leo Magnitude: 9.3 RA:10h 47m 36.7s Dec:+12d 36' 06"
NGC3384 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:10.7 RA:10h 48m 17.2s Dec:+12d 37' 49" Epoch 2000 Size (mins) 5.5 x 2.5 Position Angle 52.0
NGC3389 Very elongated galaxy in group. Magnitude:12.4 RA:10h 48m 16.5s Dec:+12d 33' 07" Size (mins) 2.7 x 1.3 Position Angle 112.0
M95 NGC3351 Barred spiral galaxy structure. Magnitude:10.7 RA:10h 43m 46.6s Dec:+11d 43' 20" Size (mins) 7.4 x 5.0 Position Angle 12.0
M96 NGC3368 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude: 9.9 RA:10h 46m 33.9s Dec:+11d 50' 21" Size (mins) 7.5 x 5.2 Position Angle 4.0
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy NGC 5194 Spiral galaxy structure attached companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude: 8.4 RA:13h 29m 45.8s Dec:+47d 13' 18" It looks Spectacular************************
These are 4 of the Seyfert's Sextet that I saw:
NGC 6027 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Ser Magnitude:12.4 RA:15h 59m 3.9s Dec:+20d 45' 43" Size (mins) 0.6 x 0.3
NGC6027B Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:15.3 RA:15h 59m 6.8s Dec:+20d 46' 43" Size (mins) 0.4 x 0.3
NGC6027D Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:15.6 RA:15h 59m 5.2s Dec:+20d 46' 16" Size (mins) 0.1
NGC6027A Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:14.9 RA:15h 59m 3.5s Dec:+20d 45' 58" Size (mins) 0.7 x 0.5
M13 Great Cluster in Hercules NGC 6205 Globular cluster highly resolved. Constellation Her Magnitude: 5.9 RA:16h 41m 36.0s Dec:+36d 28' 31" Magnificent in the 13 Nagler, and the 7 nagler.
NGC6207 Very elongated galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.2 RA:16h 42m 58.4s Dec:+36d 50' 30" Size (mins) 3.0 x 1.3 Position Angle 14.0
M27 Dumbbell Nebula NGC 6853 Planetary nebula irregular. Constellation Vul Magnitude: 8.1 RA:19h 59m 28.0s Dec:+22d 42' 25"
M57 Ring Nebula in Lyra NGC 6720 Planetary nebula ring with central star. Constellation Lyr Magnitude: 9.0 RA:18h 53m 29.6s Dec:+33d 01' 45" Central star is visible.
NGC 7331 Very elongated galaxy, dusty, bright core. Constellation Peg Magnitude: 9.5 RA:22h 36m 56.8s Dec:+34d 23' 43"
NGC7340 Round galaxy in group. Magnitude:14.7 RA:22h 37m 35.2s Dec:+34d 23' 21" Size (mins) 0.9 x 0.6
NGC7315 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:13.5 RA:22h 35m 22.5s Dec:+34d 46' 56" Size (mins) 1.6
NGC7343 Round galaxy. Magnitude:14.2 RA:22h 38m 28.3s Dec:+34d 03' 07" Size (mins) 1.1 x 0.9 Position Angle 160.0
NGC7319 Elongated galaxy in group. Magnitude:14.4 RA:22h 35m 54.4s Dec:+33d 57' 19" Size (mins) 1.7 x 1.3
NGC7320 Elongated galaxy brightest in group. Magnitude:13.6 RA:22h 35m 54.9s Dec:+33d 55' 37"
NGC7335 Very elongated galaxy in group. Magnitude:14.5 RA:22h 37m 10.2s Dec:+34d 25' 36" Size (mins) 1.3 x 0.6 Position Angle 150.0
Stephan's Quintet
NGC7317 Round galaxy in group. Magnitude:14.8 RA:22h 35m 42.9s Dec:+33d 55' 27" Size (mins) 1.1 x 1.1
NGC7318B Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:14.0 RA:22h 35m 49.3s Dec:+33d 56' 43" Size (mins) 1.9 x 1.2
NGC7318A Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:14.6 RA:22h 35m 47.6s Dec:+33d 56' 44" Size (mins) 0.8
NGC7319 Elongated galaxy in group. Magnitude:14.4 RA:22h 35m 54.4s Dec:+33d 57' 19" Size (mins) 1.7 x 1.3
NGC7320 Elongated galaxy brightest in group. Magnitude:13.6 RA:22h 35m 54.9s Dec:+33d 55' 37" Size (mins) 2.2 x 1.1 Position Angle 132.0
M97 Owl Nebula NGC 3587 Planetary nebula irregular. Constellation Uma Magnitude:11.2 RA:11h 14m 35.2s Dec:+55d 02' 22" Size (mins) 3.2
M108 NGC 3556 Very elongated galaxy,dust & bright knots. Constellation Uma Magnitude:10.1 Size (mins) 8.0 x 2.0 Position Angle 80.0
Filamentary Nebula, Lace-work Nebula, Veil Nebula, NGC 6960 Nebula. Constellation Cyg RA:20h 45m 34.3s Dec:+30d 42' 10" Size (mins) 70.0

MORE Sleep................

May 14, 1996 UT -

Cloudy and rainy on the night of the 13th and the Morning of the 14th .

May 15, 1996 UT.

M13 Great Cluster in Hercules NGC 6205 Globular cluster highly resolved. Constellation Her Magnitude: 5.9 RA:16h 41m 36.0s Dec:+36d 28' 31"
M101 NGC 5457 Spiral galaxy structure with bright knots. Constellation Uma Magnitude: 7.7 RA:14h 03m 5.4s Dec:+54d 22' 15"
NGC5474 Round galaxy. Magnitude:11.4 RA:14h 04m 55.5s Dec:+53d 41' 02" Size (mins) 4.8 x 4.3
NGC5443 Edge on galaxy. Magnitude:13.1 RA:14h 02m 5.6s Dec:+55d 50' 12" Size (mins) 2.6 x 1.0 Position Angle 34.0
NGC5485 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.4 RA:14h 07m 5.2s Dec:+55d 01' 22" Size (mins) 2.4 x 2.0 Position Angle 170.0
NGC5486 Very elongated galaxy close companion. Magnitude:13.8 RA:14h 07m 19.4s Dec:+55d 07' 27" Size (mins) 1.8 x 1.1 Position Angle 80.0
NGC5477 Round galaxy. Magnitude:13.8 RA:14h 05m 29.6s Dec:+54d 29' 14" Size (mins) 1.6 x 1.3 Position Angle 94.0
NGC5473 Round galaxy with bright core. Magnitude:12.5 RA:14h 04m 37.2s Dec:+54d 54' 48" Size (mins) 2.4 x 1.7 Position Angle 160.0
NGC5368 Round galaxy. Magnitude:13.9 RA:13h 54m 22.7s Dec:+54d 21' 09" Size (mins) 0.9 x 0.8 Position Angle 10.0
M65 NGC 3623 Very elongated galaxy with bright core. Constellation Leo Magnitude: 9.3 RA:11h 18m 43.0s Dec:+13d 06' 10" Size (mins) 9.0 x 2.0 Position Angle 174.0
M66 NGC3627 Spiral galaxy structure. Magnitude: 9.6 RA:11h 20m 3.4s Dec:+13d 00' 52" Size (mins) 9.2 x 4.2 Position Angle 172.0
NGC3628 Very elongated galaxy dusty. Magnitude:10.5 RA:11h 20m 5.2s Dec:+13d 36' 32" Size (mins) 14.7 x 2.9 Position Angle 104.0
NGC3593 Elongated galaxy. Magnitude:11.8 RA:11h 14m 25.1s Dec:+12d 50' 16" Size (mins) 5.2 x 1.9 Position Angle 92.0

Short night, getting tired earlier.

May 16, 1996, 0UT.

M51 Whirlpool Galaxy NGC 5194 Spiral galaxy structure attached companion. Constellation CVn Magnitude: 8.4 RA:13h 29m 45.8s Dec:+47d 13' 18"
NGC 5195 Round galaxy close companion Magnitude:10.6 RA:13h 29m 50.4s Dec:+47d 17' 40" Separation from M51: 00d 04' 39"
NGC 5139 Globular cluster highly resolved. Constellation Cen Magnitude: 3.7 RA:13h 26m 37.2s Dec:-47d 28' 04"
NGC 5064 Elongated galaxy. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.0 RA:13h 18m 49.3s Dec:-47d 54' 04"
NGC 5156 Round galaxy. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.0 RA:13h 28m 31.1s Dec:-48d 54' 05"
NGC 5206 Round galaxy. Constellation Cen RA:13h 33m 31.1s Dec:-48d 08' 05"
NGC 5266 Elongated galaxy with bright core. Constellation Cen Magnitude:12.0 RA:13h 42m 48.9s Dec:-48d 10' 05"
NGC 5244 Galaxy. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.3 RA:13h 38m 30.9s Dec:-45d 50' 25"
NGC5090 Round galaxy brightest in group. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.0 RA:13h 20m 55.3s Dec:-43d 43' 04"
NGC5082 Round galaxy in group. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.8 RA:13h 20m 29.6s Dec:-43d 41' 11"
NGC5026 Elongated galaxy in group. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.0 RA:13h 14m 1.4s Dec:-42d 57' 03"
NGC5011 Round galaxy. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.0 RA:13h 12m 43.5s Dec:-43d 05' 03"
NGC4988 Elongated galaxy. Constellation Cen Magnitude:13.9 RA:13h 09m 37.5s Dec:-43d 05' 03"
NGC5898 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Lib Magnitude:11.5 RA:15h 18m 1.1s Dec:-24d 05' 13"
NGC5903 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Lib Magnitude:11.5 RA:15h 18m 25.1s Dec:-24d 03' 13"
M87 NGC 4486 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Vir Magnitude: 8.6 RA:12h 30m 37.8s Dec:+12d 25' 12"

MAY 17, 1996 0UT

M63 Sunflower Galaxy NGC 5055 Elongated galaxy with bright core. Constellation Cvn Magnitude: 8.6 RA:13h 15m 39.1s Dec:+42d 03' 19"
M94 NGC4736 Elongated galaxy with bright core. Constellation Cvn Magnitude: 8.7 RA:12h 50m 44.0s Dec:+41d 08' 30"
M106 NGC 4258 Spiral galaxy structure with bright knots. Constellation Cvn Magnitude: 8.3 RA:12h 18m 49.7s Dec:+47d 19' 23"
NGC4248 Very elongated galaxy. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:12.6 RA:12h 17m 37.6s Dec:+47d 26' 23"
NGC4232 Galaxy very large low brightness. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:11.0 RA:12h 17m 19.6s Dec:+45d 38' 23"
NGC4231 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 16m 37.6s Dec:+47d 28' 23"
NGC4220 Edge on galaxy with bright core. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:12.0 RA:12h 16m 1.5s Dec:+47d 54' 23" Quite nice.
NGC4218 Round galaxy. Constellation Cvn Dreyer Descr. VF,VS Magnitude:13.0 RA:12h 15m 37.6s Dec:+48d 09' 23"
NGC4217 Edge on galaxy. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:12.0 RA:12h 15m 37.6s Dec:+47d 07' 23"
NGC4226 Elongated galaxy close companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 16m 13.6s Dec:+47d 03' 23"
NGC4288 Elongated galaxy close companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:13.0 RA:12h 20m 25.7s Dec:+46d 18' 23"
NGC4244 NICE Edge on galaxy. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:10.2 RA:12h 17m 19.6s Dec:+37d 50' 20"
NGC4395 Galaxy low brightness bright knots. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:10.2 RA:12h 25m 37.8s Dec:+33d 34' 18"
NGC4631 Very elongated galaxy,dust & bright knots. Constellation Cvn Magnitude: 9.3 RA:12h 41m 56.1s Dec:+32d 33' 18"
NGC4627 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:12.3 RA:12h 41m 50.1s Dec:+32d 35' 18"
NGC4656 Very elongated galaxy close companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:10.4 RA:12h 43m 50.1s Dec:+32d 11' 17" NICE EDGE ON WITH NGC4657 CURLING OFF THE END OF 56
NGC4657 Elongated galaxy close companion. Constellation Cvn Magnitude:10.6 RA:12h 44m 2.0s Dec:+32d 13' 18"
NGC4559 ANOTHER ELONGATED BRIGHT GALAXY Constellation Com Magnitude: 9.9 RA:12h 35m 49.9s Dec:+27d 59' 17"
IC3592 Spiral Galaxy Magnitude:15.1 RA:12h 36m 43.4s Dec:+27d 53' 00"
IC3593 Galaxy Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 36m 49.9s Dec:+27d 47' 17"
NGC4670 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Com Magnitude:12.7 RA:12h 45m 8.1s Dec:+27d 09' 17"
NGC4673 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 45m 26.1s Dec:+27d 05' 17"
NGC4565 Edge on galaxy dusty. Constellation Com Magnitude: 9.6 RA:12h 36m 7.9s Dec:+26d 00' 17"
NGC4562 Elongated galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 35m 25.9s Dec:+25d 52' 17"
NGC5555 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 35m 31.9s Dec:+26d 32' 17"
NGC4614 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 41m 14.0s Dec:+26d 03' 17"
NGC4615 Elongated galaxy brightest in group. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 41m 20.0s Dec:+26d 05' 17"
NGC4725 Elongated galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude: 9.2 RA:12h 50m 14.1s Dec:+25d 31' 16"
NGC4712 Very elongated galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:13.0 RA:12h 49m 26.1s Dec:+25d 29' 16"
NGC4747 Very elongated galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:12.4 RA:12h 51m 38.1s Dec:+25d 48' 16"
NGC4692 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 47m 44.1s Dec:+27d 14' 17"
NGC4702 Faint galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 48m 50.1s Dec:+27d 12' 17"
NGC4728 Faint galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.5 RA:12h 50m 20.2s Dec:+27d 27' 17"
NGC4715 Round galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 49m 38.1s Dec:+27d 50' 17"
NGC4789 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Com Magnitude:12.0 RA:12h 54m 8.2s Dec:+27d 05' 16"
NGC4789A Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:13.5 RA:12h 53m 55.5s Dec:+27d 10' 29"
NGC4798 Round galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:13.1 RA:12h 54m 50.2s Dec:+27d 26' 16"
NGC4807 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 55m 20.2s Dec:+27d 32' 16"
NGC4738 Very elongated galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 50m 56.2s Dec:+28d 49' 17"
NGC4816 Round galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 56m 2.3s Dec:+27d 46' 16"
NGC4819 Round galaxy close companion. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 56m 20.2s Dec:+27d 00' 16"
NGC4827 Round galaxy with bright core. Constellation Com Magnitude:13.0 RA:12h 56m 32.2s Dec:+27d 12' 16"
NGC4839 Elongated galaxy close companion. Constellation Com Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 57m 14.3s Dec:+27d 31' 16"
NGC4842A Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:14.0 RA:12h 57m 25.4s Dec:+27d 31' 00"
NGC4842B Round galaxy close companion. Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 57m 25.7s Dec:+27d 30' 29"
NGC4849 Round galaxy. Constellation Com Magnitude:15.0 RA:12h 58m 2.3s Dec:+26d 25' 16"

May 18th, 1996 the last night.

The great give away was a 7" Maksutov from Meade.

This last night was the farewell to TSP, We had to turn in at a decent hour, in order to get enough sleep for the 30 hour journey home. But we did view some favorites and said our goodbyes in the dark.

M13, NGC6207 and M51. Observed meteors for the rest of the evening. Good night.

May 19, 1996 - The trip home.

The next morning we packed up. It was still clear when we left. Dave Lee and I headed for St. Louis where I dropped him off at the airport. That trip took about 18 hours to get to St. Louis. I drove on the next 9 hours and returned home on Monday the 20th about 4:30 in the afternoon.

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