I apologize for cancelling the public viewing of the total lunar eclipse.  Several forecasts were predicting poor sky conditions for the event.  I could have just had the viewing regardless, but a few years back when we had a very close conjuntion of three planets within the same field of view in a telescope, I had about 80 people who came to the observatory and the clouds came in just in time to ruin things.  With the predicted conditions being very dubious, I decided not to go to the observatory, but I have a very portable "smart telescope" at home - a SeeStar S50.  I was surprised the sky looked much cleaner then expected.  Yes, the "seeing" (atmospheric distortion) was pretty bad, but the predicted high clouds turned out to be largely transparent.  The wind also calmed down - especially in the sheltered surroundings of my house.

I set up the SeeStar to do a timelapse and let it do its thing.  It takes care of varying the exposure durations pretty well.  I set it to take photos every 2 seconds.  Since the video plays 30 frames per second - each second of video represents 1 minute of real time.  The shadow the earth casts into space has 2 parts - a lighter outer portion called the penumbra.  This is barely noticable.  The inner dark portion - the umbra - is the portion that really darkens the moon.  Once the moon is fully covered by the umbra, the moon will turn color anywhere from dark yellow to brown.  This depends mostly on the moon's distance from the earth at the time of the eclipse.  Most total lunar eclipses are red. This one was a red-brown.  The video makes it look more red than it did to the naked eye.

I started the timelapse at the start of the umbral portion - through the total phase - and then to about 1/2 of the umbra moving off the moon.  You will see the image of the moon shimmer due to the seeing.  You will also see the thin clouds move over it. The image jitters due to the telescope resetting the position of the moon on the sensor between exposures.  The video is about 3 1/2 minutes.

March brings Daylight Savings Time on the 9th which means we will have to start viewings later in the evening.  We do have a total lunar eclipse in March on the night of the 13th/14th, but mid eclipse is at about 2 am local time on the 14th!  Check here for details.  I am on the (O'Neill) Friends of the Library and we are having our yearly St. Patrick's Day event at the community center on March 13th.  If it's clear, I will go up to the observatory afterwards - starting at 11:00 PM CDT.  It might help that O'Neill Public Schools don't have school on Friday :)

We'll try for another viewing session on March 21st at 9:00 PM CDT.  A description of what we will look for is below.

In case of viewing session cancellation, I put out messages on the observatory email listserv and text lists. If no one reserves for a viewing session, I may opt for another activity at home. Please call or email instead of just showing up.  If you wish to be added to the e-mail and/or text list, e-mail me at mark.urwiller@gmail.com.  If you want to be on the text list I need your phone number and cell provider.  These services are free and free of ads/spam!

Please note these sessions are cancelled if the sky conditions/weather are not good.  What does that mean?  Well, (optical) telescopes can't see through clouds!  It will need to be almost perfectly clear.  The next potential problem is wind.  If the wind velocity is much more than about 10 mi/hr - that's too much!  A telescope magnifies the size of the objects we view - and the effects of the wind!  Lastly, is the issue of mud or snow (winter).  The last stretch of road to the observatory is not maintained. Please check the ClearSkyClock and weather links on the home page of this site!  What if you're in doubt the observing session will take place?  If it's not perfectly clear and calm, you can call (308) 293-5776 before leaving for the session!

The observatory now has a cell phone adapter for scopes and binoculars.  Before you get too excited, please note that cell phones are somewhat limited as to their astronomical capabilities.  You won't be able to photograph the "faint fuzzies" we put in the scope.  However, you will be able to leave with a photo of the moon or a planet :)  This unit features a bluetooth remote shutter so there is no shake to activate the shutter.  Come out and give it a try!

Here's a link for directions to the observatory starting from O'Neill:

Google Maps  or simply put Honey Creek Observatory into Google Maps and it will get you here!

From O'Neill Nebraska take US HWY 281 north to Road 883.  Turn left (west) 2 miles to 490 Avenue.  Turn right (north) 0.6 mile to the red gate. Proceed north of the gate another few hundred feet.  You will see the entrance on the right.  We will have you park along the fence near the entrance.  Be advised there is a barb wire fence around the building location.  If young children are present, they need to be watched.  Please call or e-mail to register so I know how many people to plan for! 

Click here for a Google Maps link!

Scheduled public viewing session and activities for March: 

Please email or call 308-293-5776 to register before 9:00 PM daily so we know how many guests to expect.  Sessions will be cancelled if no one contacts me to express interest.  There is no charge for these events!  Also, please call before leaving town if the weather is questionable.  Those on the text listserv will receive messages keeping you informed. & There is also the issue of whether the road is passable due to mud/snow depending on the time of year.

March 13/14th -  11:00 PM  Lunar eclipse viewing at the observatory.  We will probably observe until after totality ends at 2:30 am.

March 21st -  9:00 PM  Dark sky viewing at the observatory. Jupiter, Mars, and Uranus will be visible as well as numerous open/galactic star clusters of the winter night sky as well as the Great Orion Nebula!  Spring galaxies are rising in the east!

If you want to know about all Tri-City and O'Neill Area astronomical opportunities available free to the public this month, check here!