Hey, it's finally warm enough to spend some time outside after dark without getting a serious chill. Take advantage of the season, find a dark-sky site and feast on the heavens.
The Southwest is blessed with numerous wonderful, remote parks that provide some of the nation's best camping - and viewing - sites. Among my favorites are Chaco Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands.
At remote sites like these, thousands of stars and multitudes of deep-space objects will pop into view. With a good pair of binoculars or a telescope, you can hop from one to another all night long.
This time of year, the first object I look for is M13, the Great Hercules Cluster. By the time dusk ends in late April, it's about 20 degrees above the northeastern horizon. A month later it will be more than twice that altitude.
An intriguing planetary nebula, NGC3242, the Ghost of Jupiter, is practically opposite M13. In the constellation Hydra, it can be found in the southwestern sky after dark. A small to moderate telescope is needed to bring out the fine details of this fuzzy object, named because its apparent diameter is about that of Jupiter. It's a bit brighter than the better known Ring Nebula in Lyra. With patience and averted vision, you should be able to make out its central star.

Lewis McCool writes from his home near Dolores, Colo., where he can take advantage of clear nights and dark skies.