Titan Shadow Transit 3/28/09

My 2009 RASC Observer's Handbook indicates that there is a Titan shadow
transit beginning at 8:25 UTC (4:25 EDT) 3/28/09. Even though Saturn will be
low in the west, I figure that I have a shot at observing at least the start
of the transit. If my son and I see it, it will be a first for us. Anybody
else think that they will try and observe it?

Dennis

My 2009 RASC Observer's Handbook indicates that there is a Titan shadow
transit beginning at 8:25 UTC (4:25 EDT) 3/28/09. Even though Saturn will
be low in the west, I figure that I have a shot at observing at least the
start of the transit. If my son and I see it, it will be a first for us.
Anybody else think that they will try and observe it?

Well, I can't say that I saw Titan's shadow. Saturn was very low in the
west, and the seeing was poor down in the muck. However, I did get a chance
to swing our 10" f/6 dob over to the Double-Double and delta Cygni, all of
which split nicely/easily at 250x and demonstrated that the seeing wasn't
bad. So, after a brief detour to M13 (more power than I normally use, and
very interesting) I went to Antares which was as high as it gets in the
south. I have occasionally tried to see the faint companion star, always
without success. However, I think I observed it this morning. I didn't
remember the position angle, and so spent some time scouting around the
edges of the blazing primary. Eventually, I noticed a persistent stellar
presence leading the way as Antares travelled across the fov from east to
west, giving a position angle of 270degrees, which web research reveals to
be about right. The separation of 2.7" also seems to match my observation.
So, even though I didn't see Titan's shadow I did finally split Antares, so
it was a special morning. At least here in Vermont, I have frequently found
that the seeing right at sunrise to be very good, and I enjoy hearing the
birds wake up and start singing while I am getting in some last views!

Dennis