We've been surprised to find that, with a big dob, our best viewing has come at the top of high long cliffs and canyons. It is usually windy, but the wind seems to mix the air for a large height above the cliff edge, giving what is essentially a stable mono-thermal air mass. Our best planetary views have been near the cliffs of Bryce, Wolf Creek, and Cedar Mountain. It's a bit frustrating, because we have to work hard to keep the scope from blowing around, but the views are spectacular so it's worth the effort. Jo Grahn At 07:12 PM 3/15/2003 EST, you wrote:
I met an amatuer astronomer who insisted large flat spaces are the best for viewing (he recommended west Texas, and Key West) due to atmospheric stability. Made since to me then, but now that I think of it, those areas generate huge thunderstorms, so their not always stable. Mountainous areas can be turbulent. Tradeoffs anywhere you view.