23 December 2024 and 7 January 2025
On 23 December, the sky was mostly clear for a change so at about 21:30MST decided to try for Mars. I waited until then because that would put it about 10 degrees above the mountains to our east. The temperature was 33deg F, RH 82%, and some frost was starting to form. Got aligned using the 24mm reticle eyepiece, then moved to the 17mm Plossl, then the 17mm with the 2x Barlow. A high thin layer of clouds moved in before I could get focused. it obscured most of the stars. It obscured most stars, and Mars wasn't discernible. Jupiter could be located by eye, but was just a fuzzy ball. I packed up at 22:30. 7 January was a little different. We had our first clear night in several days, so I thought I'd try for Mars again. Set up at 20:30MST, temp was 27deg F. Moon was waxing gibbous, about 63% illuminated. There was a few inches of snow on the ground. Mars, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter were all visible and bright.. Transparency was fair. There was a lot of moisture in the a...