Bright objects in the night sky — Part IV

A few nights ago I had an opportunity to take a tour of the telescopes operated by Lowell Observatory at the Anderson Mesa Station. I’ve driven and biked onto the mesa top many times over the years and often wished that I would have an opportunity to tour the telescope domes. Finally!

The 72-inch Perkins Telescope at the Lowell Obervatory Anderson Mesa Station.
The 72-inch Perkins Telescope at the Lowell Obervatory Anderson Mesa Station.

We were taken into the 72-inch Perkins Telescope for a brief visit. There were ongoing experiments and data collection so we were limited in what we could visit. Still, this was a nice, large telescope and worth seeing. This was followed by a longer visit to the smaller 42-inch John Hall Telescope where we were treated to observing the research staff collect photographic images of Comet 49P/Arend-Rigaux.

The 42-inch John Hall Telescope.
The 42-inch John Hall Telescope.

Afterwards, I set up my tripod and camera for yet another image of the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The closest approach of the two planets occurred a few days ago and they are now moving apart.

Venus and Jupiter shine brightly above the telescope dome at the Lowell Observatory Anderson Mesa Station.
Venus and Jupiter shine brightly above the telescope dome at the Lowell Observatory Anderson Mesa Station.

In a little over a week the new crescent moon will once again move near the two planets providing another interesting photo opportunity.