Members Viewing Night

Members only viewing

🌌 Greetings Bluewater Astronomers,

This week’s best observing night looks to be Friday, April 17. A number of us will be at the observatory—club equipment will be available, so feel free  to  make use of what’s on site, or to bring your own gear. Even if you have challenges with your gear, chances are someone will be available to help out.

There’s a great lineup of targets to enjoy:

🪐 Planets

• Venus – Brilliant and unmistakable in the western twilight
• Jupiter – Also shining in the western sky
• Uranus – Best viewed shortly after sunset (binoculars or small telescope recommended)

⭐ Constellations Well-Placed

• Leo
• Virgo
• Coma Berenices
• Ursa Major
• Boötes

These constellations bring us right into galaxy season, with many deep-sky treasures within reach.

☄️ Comet Watch

• Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) – A faint green-glowing comet (~magnitude 8)
  • Best observed very early Saturday morning (pre-dawn)
  • Located in Pegasus
  • You’ll need to be an all nighter or an early-rising fox to catch this one!

🔭 Deep Sky Highlights

• M81 & M82 – A stunning galaxy pair in Ursa Major
• Leo Triplet (M65, M66, NGC 3628) – A classic galaxy grouping in Leo
• M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy) – A face-on spiral, challenging but rewarding
• And so many more galaxies!

🌄 Early Morning / Seasonal Objects

(For the dedicated early risers!)

• M22 – One of the finest globular clusters in the sky
• M23, M24, M25 – Rich star clusters and Milky Way fields in Sagittarius
• NGC 6633 – A bright open cluster rising in the pre-dawn sky

If skies cooperate, it should be a fantastic night with something for everyone—from bright planets to faint galaxies and even a comet for those willing to be there  early Saturday morning

Please Dress warm, and be careful ,  although you can drive down hill, be aware of flooding and stay on the path the ground is very soft and we don’t want anyone stuck in mud!

Clear skies, and hope to see you Friday night