On 30 Mar 2011, at 18:51, Chuck Hards wrote:
I think about great observers of my grandfather's day, like Humason and Hubble, who spent entire nights peering at a guidestar through cross-hairs, sometimes for many consecutive nights. An old tube-type AM radio was probably playing softly somewhere near the night assistant's control console as the astronomer kept his concentration, hour after hour, fingers on buttons to control the slow-motion motors...sometimes hands on feedwheels of gear trains.
I am so spoiled.
You are not alone in feeling that way Chuck. My total exposure to the cold on a typical run is at the beginning when I go out to open the roof and at the end when I go out to close it. Guiding consists of centering the object I'm working in the scope, clicking on a star in the guider and clicking on "Autoguide". Then it's off to the hot tub or to see what's on the DVR. Spoiled. Spoiled rotten. Do I feel guilty? No. But I certainly do have a great deal of admiration for the old timers. Talk about dedication. 'Course we do have at least one list member who approximates my idea of the old ways. Joe seems to delight in packing everything off to some lonely, cold mountain peak and working all night under the stars. And judging from all of the challenges he's faced (and overcome) he certainly has more patience than me. patrick (the spoiled)