C.E.K Mees

3 July 2010: CEK Mees Observatory, Rochester, NY (42°42’01.0″N 77°24’31.56″W)

During the July 4th weekend of 2010 I had the opportunity to spend the night at the University of Rochester’s C.E.K. Mees observatory. Once again my nephew, who was attending the U of R, was my observing companion and host. He spent the summer of 2010 giving tours at the observatory and as such he had 24 hour access to the facility.

The observatory is home to a 24″ reflecting telescope with astrophotography capability. It was a great night for observing as there was not a cloud in the sky. We had exceptionally dark skies and a fantastic view of the half moon with Jupiter prominently displayed nearby.

We stayed up all night trading stories and viewing one celestial wonder after the other until the solace of our dark sky was intruded upon by  the morning’s sunrise. I had a great time, observing the stars and communing with the universe, as well as remembering what it was like to have the youthful exuberance to stay up all night.  Another fond memory added to the ever growing list of events that have shaped my astronomical history.