I would change on OWc the prediction ephemeris as the May 13 version, which is not the default. This bright event of a good binary asteroid, is in bright twilight, and the target star is in the west (Gemini) so that makes the sky in that direction brighter still. But Sun=-7 isn't fatal. I once got a star as faint as 9.0 in Sun=-5 deg twilight as a lunar graze in a 6" scope. Turn the gain down and use 1x setting. The harder part will be getting two alignment stars in brighter twilight. I'd go for Sirius, and for Arcturus in the east. These are the two brightest stars in the sky at this time. Get Sirius first, and then go for Arcturus. It should work OK.
Alt=32, Az=272 in Gemini, just 2 degrees lower left of Jupiter
I'm nominally going to plan on getting it from Pine Ridge cul-de-sac. However, if the skies are fog-free, I can get it from much closer to my Party location, and have to rendezvous with Danika to do that. If off-shore winds and no fog, then my nominal site will be at the La Selva Drive cul-de-sac from Mar Monte exit off Hwy 1. If I drive instead to Bonny Doon, I will plan to pick up Danika on the way. Otherwise, Danika can rendezvous with me in the Aptos/La Selva area.
|
|
Predicted cloud coverage as of Sunday afternoon for this event
Skies looked good during the BBQ at Diane's, not as good when I got home, or picked up Danika, and got worse as we drove into Bonny Doon. Finally ended up at Mary's at the top of the mountain. Cold, dark, thick clouds from an advancing cold front arrived just beore the event. Everyone was clouded out. No data, didn't take any pictures as we never set up. Did chat with Mary for a few minutes, so that was nice.