Gillian is 280 km NE of us as of 11pm tonight (Tuesday), and is

heading SW at 10 to 15 kmh. Up until today, it's been either

minimum 70% cloud, or overcast, or raining, for the past three

weeks. Tonight, however, it was so clear that I actually trotted

out the telescope for the first time in a month, to get a second

look at the Fornax cluster - six fuzzy little galaxies in one field

of view, from the suburban backyard with a 3 day old moon visible

and with very mediocre dark adaptation. Tonight, in an area about 5

degrees across, I've seen *thirteen* galaxies. Although I'm not

even vaguely religious, I think I can begin to see what is meant by

"the hand of God".



I lust for Virgo - she has a bunch of fuzzies, too, as well as the

closest (and quite findable, at mag 12) quasar. Haven't had the

opportunity to perve on her with the big scope yet.



I could get to like cyclones like this. Assuming, of course, that I

still have a house 48 hours from now.



Cheers



--- PPoint 1.88