The sky miraculously cleared up Friday night, so I set-up the 6" and watched Mars until 2 am. I am posting this before bed, while still clear in my mind. I've been up since 5 am! I first had to replace the batteries for my mirror fan- eight AAA, four of which had leaked since I last checked them in July. Of course I didn't discover this until I was already outside in the dark. Anyway, there was no damage (plastic battery compartment), to the scope anyway; my middle-aged knees took a bit of abuse, the insulated coveralls helped. Once the fan was running, the image snapped into crisp focus- the seeing was exellent right after the front passed. The air was clear and clean, and only a bit of high-altitude turbulence but there were frequent satisfying moments of absolute stillness. I didn't check a Website to make sure, but it appeared that Meridiani Sinus was just about dead-center and very obvious, with Syrtis Major on the limb- that feature should be well-placed before dawn. During moments of extremely good seeing, I could just detect a brightening over Chryse- the location of the current dust storm outbreak. Not obvious, fleeting, but just convincing enough to make me believe it. This is an exellent opposition so-far. Lots of visual detail in a small telescope, but I wouldn't advise much less than about 4" aperture. I did most of my observing at 293X, near the theoretical limit for a 6", and I found myself wishing that I had the energy to set-up the 10", the seeing would have accommodated the larger aperture tonight easily- and then some. Best views were with the 12.5mm Konig-2 and good old UO 9mm ortho, both used with the Klee 2.8X Barlow working at closer to 3X or slightly more. Best filtration was with a #80A and #82A stacked, also a #56 gave good contrast, surprisingly the #11 also increased contrast noticeably. But the two blue filters together gave the most natural view while still yielding the most detail and cutting the glare. You may be able to use darker filters if you have a much larger aperture to offset the dimming. It's amazing how fast 2-1/2 hours can go by, with one's eye to an eyepiece and butt on a stool. I'm sure I'll be dreaming about Mars tonight, and scheming to get to SPOC on Monday night if the weather cooperates. __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com
Hmmm...I just realized that with south "up", Syrtis Major has already passed the central meridian and is on it's way around to the back side of the planet. Long day, sorry! __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com
Chuck Hards wrote:
I'm sure I'll be dreaming about Mars tonight, and scheming to get to SPOC on Monday night if the weather cooperates.
Note that there probably will not be anything Monday night at SPOC if the weather cooperates either tonight or tomorrow night (especially since only two people have expressed interest in a Monday night Watch). Patrick
Please post a certain go/no-go as soon as possible, thanks. --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
Note that there probably will not be anything Monday night at SPOC if the weather cooperates either tonight or tomorrow night (especially since only two people have expressed interest in a Monday night Watch).
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Just got back from SPOC. Despite the rain I was not at all surprised to see all the cars in the parking lot and public milling about SPOC. I politely pointed out that it was raining so we were canceling tonight and would try again tomorrow night. SPOC's Clear Sky Clock does seem to offer some encouragement for late tomorrow: http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/SPOC2UTkey.html?1 Patrick Chuck Hards wrote:
Please post a certain go/no-go as soon as possible, thanks.
--- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
Note that there probably will not be anything Monday night at SPOC if the weather cooperates either tonight or tomorrow night (especially since only two people have expressed interest in a Monday night Watch).
www.weather.gov is even more promising... Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net>:
Just got back from SPOC. Despite the rain I was not at all surprised to see all the cars in the parking lot and public milling about SPOC.
I politely pointed out that it was raining so we were canceling tonight and would try again tomorrow night.
SPOC's Clear Sky Clock does seem to offer some encouragement for late tomorrow: http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/SPOC2UTkey.html?1
And now I'm getting calls from folks saying the weather has cleared and SPOC is crawling with people. I just looked out and, sure enough, there's a huge hole in the clouds. Guess we're on after all. Gone to SPOC, Patrick diveboss@xmission.com wrote:
www.weather.gov is even more promising...
Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net>:
Just got back from SPOC. Despite the rain I was not at all surprised to see all the cars in the parking lot and public milling about SPOC.
I politely pointed out that it was raining so we were canceling tonight and would try again tomorrow night.
SPOC's Clear Sky Clock does seem to offer some encouragement for late tomorrow: http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/SPOC2UTkey.html?1
There's your chance, Guy, you can pick 'em off the roof with the night vision goggles! ;) --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
SPOC is crawling with people.
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Salt Lake still overcast, 2-minute sucker holes every ten to fifteen minutes. I'll check it again in 1/2 hour. If anyone upwind of West Valley sees a large opening drifting my way, please post. --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
And now I'm getting calls from folks saying the weather has cleared
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For 37 years, I've had to reply to people that "no, my telescope can't see through clouds" (let alone rain falling on expensive optics!). They appear astonished, sure that I was simply blowing them off so I didn't have to take the time to show them what I was obviously keeping to myself. How do these people graduate from high-school and remain so utterly, profoundly stupid? --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
I politely pointed out that it was raining so we were canceling tonight and would try again tomorrow night.
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Chuck Hards wrote:
How do these people graduate from high-school and remain so utterly, profoundly stupid?
Profoundly stupid? How about enormously interested? While part of me does wonder what folks are doing showing up in the rain, I also like to think that they are so interested in astronomy and in sharing it with their family, that they are willing to show up even when they know the odds are against them. We need more people with that kind of interest in science. Patrick
Good old email, never fails to make folks think there's more there than there really is. Relax, Patrick, it's a misunderstanding. Your post tonight reminded me of my own past experiences, which are the "stupid" people I was referring to. Understand that there is a difference between people hoping for a break in the weather, and those who honestly believe a telescope can "see through clouds". While 20 years ago I had far more interest in the cosmic tour-guide role for the public, today my leisure time (meaning time for all hobbies) is severely limited- almost non-existent- I really am not able to structure my life around astronomy- and I will not waste what precious little of that time there is on people who refuse to believe that it's the truth when I tell them that my telescope can't see through the clouds, or think I'm a terrible person for not letting them in on some technological secret. Those are the rude jerks I was talking about- so please don't infer any attitude of condescension on my part, directed at those who don't deserve it. Can you see where you made some incorrect assumptions? I was writing about MY experiences, NOT yours. Yours just triggered memories. I fully agree that enthusiasm and hope against the odds are good traits. But those traits don't always accompany apathetic ignorance, suspicion, and yes, garden-variety stupidity. --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
Chuck Hards wrote:
How do these people graduate from high-school and remain so utterly, profoundly stupid?
Profoundly stupid? How about enormously interested?
While part of me does wonder what folks are doing showing up in the rain, I also like to think that they are so interested in astronomy and in sharing it with their family, that they are willing to show up even when they know the odds are against them.
We need more people with that kind of interest in science.
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Thinking some more about this- The people who Patrick encountered tonight actually drove to an observatory- obviously they had an interest to begin with, and the desire to satisfy a curiosity- those I referred to were typically encountered by chance, on a camping trip, passing-by my yard, my friend's yard, or the school-yard. I also tend to prefer solitary astronomy- more than a few people in one place makes me terribly uncomfortable for some reason, so I rarely enjoy "safety in numbers" such as a star-party environment when observing; passers-by are more emboldened to make snide remarks, wise-cracks about geeks and nerds, I'm sure everyone has encountered the type at one time or another. I've been accosted by drunks on more occasions than I can accurately count, over the decades, mostly either camping or up the canyons east of SLC. Some have nearly toppled the telescope! I will not apologize for characterizing such people as "stupid". What I am asking, and trying to illustrate, is that no-one assume I was looking down my nose at everyone who ever waited for the rain to stop to look through a telescope. My original post didn't make that claim in any way- please read it carefully. There are a lot of dumb, rude, (sometimes dangerous!) people out there, and I have certainly run into my share while at the telescope. Those who deserve it will get my disdain, those who don't, won't. So I still maintain that the Profoundly Stupid and the Enormously Interested are two different populations with perhaps only a little crossover. --- Patrick Wiggins <paw@trilobyte.net> wrote:
Profoundly stupid? How about enormously interested?
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Quoting Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com>:
passers-by are more emboldened to make snide remarks, wise-cracks about geeks and nerds, I'm sure everyone has encountered the type at one time or another.
I have yet to be accosted by anything when I'm out by myself. Everyone I have ever met when I'm alone has displayed nothing but respect. Strangers who happen by, drunk or sober, usually hunch over and tip toe past being very, very quiet... What I do find most annoying when I'm by myself, is the sound the muzzle of the M16 makes as it strikes the eyepiece when I lean over to look through it... ;)
I'm glad you've always had a positive experience. I'm going to assume that you didn't start doing this decades years ago, setting-up your telescope as a ten, eleven-year-old kid, driving up the canyon when you first got your driver's license with your 8-inch Newtonian in your mothers station-wagon, setting-up on side roads, only to have "kegger" parties unload on the road, blocking your only way back onto the highway? Or drunken, stoned groups stumble onto your set-up in the dark? Or neighborhood bullies try to intimidate you early in the morning in the back alley, away from the streetlight? Or just plain neighbors who thought your time would be better spent playing football or chasing girls (well they may have been right on that one...) Or the pointed-ear crowd insisting you show them a UFO in the eyepiece? Never happened to you? I can see where you probably wouldn't get accosted as an adult with the word "weapons" on the back of your truck. Life is different before one takes self-defense classes, gets some body mass, gains the confidence of years. I haven't been out as often in recent years due to the responsibilities of job and family, but I do intend to get back to regular observing and ATMing one day- I'm guessing I won't have as many problems as I did in my early days. It sounds like things are a lot less mean these days, so I'm really looking forward to emulating your experiences! How many of you would have stuck with it, had these same things happended to you early-on? Too, thanks to people who started about the time I did, (and earlier!), your hobby is more mainstream today. People don't raise an eyebrow as much when you tell them you enjoy astronomy as a hobby. The hobby is no longer an activity in which you must make most of your own equipment if you wish to take it to the next level beyond "entry". There are thousands of consumer products available now- and there were not, when I started in the sixties. All one has to do is plop down the cash, and you're instantly takig nice photos, using a huge telescope. It's become a "me, too" activity, accessible to just about anyone thanks to those who dreamed of a different future 20, 30 years ago. Who asked, wouldn't it be neat if...? Enjoy it, but never take it for granted. It hasn't always been so dang marvelous. --- diveboss@xmission.com wrote:
I have yet to be accosted by anything when I'm out by myself.
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--- Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com> wrote:
The sky miraculously cleared up Friday night, so I set-up the 6" and watched Mars until 2 am. I am posting this before bed, while still clear in my mind. <snip> I didn't check a Website to make sure, but it appeared that Meridiani Sinus was just about dead-center and very obvious, with Syrtis Major on the limb- . . .
I took a short-term fair-use screen grab from the S&T web-applet at - http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets/article_997_1.asp that shows Mars main features on 10/30/05 at 7:00 UTC (10/31/05 1:00AM) in an inverted Newtonian view, and short-term posted it at - http://members.csolutions.net/fisherka/astronote/observed/20051030_7UTC_Mars... Last night, looking at Mars between 1:00-2:00am, in a club loaner 6" DOB, I had moderate Antonaidi III seeing, with fuzzy views from SLC (at 4,200ft), of the main albedo areas of Syrtis Major, the north polar cap, Sinus Meridiani and Mare Acidalium. All in all, an enjoyable hour before bed. The satellite image loop - http://www.weather.gov/sat_loop12.php and CONUS sky cover simulator loop - http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/conusLoop.php#tabs looks problematic for tonight, but still worth sticking your head out the door at midnight to check conditions. The NOAA Conus area simulator does show clouds clearing out on Sunday-night Monday-morning between 11pm-2:00am. - Canopus56(Kurt) __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com
Big K, did you notice any evidence of the dust storm in Chryse? My views were terrible until I got the fan running, then everything became tack-sharp. I would advise anyone using a scope with passive mirror cooling, or not breaking-up boundary layer in front of the mirror with a fan, to allow several hours of cool-down time before expecting the best views. As an aside, for some reason the green laser beam was extraordinarily bright last night, here in the suburbs. I'm thinking that humidity might boost visbility as much or more than suspended particulates. --- Canopus56 <canopus56@yahoo.com> wrote: __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com
--- Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com> wrote:
Big K, did you notice any evidence of the dust storm in Chryse? My views were terrible until I got the fan running, then everything became tack-sharp. I would advise anyone using a scope with passive mirror cooling, or not breaking-up boundary layer in front of the mirror with a fan, to allow several hours of cool- down time before expecting the best views.
My view was too fuzzy in a 6" DOBm, but good point on the mirror cool down. I'll try pre-cooling the mirror. If the weather breaks, I'm trying for higher altitude, maybe in Big Cottonwood, and ending the evening with a drive out to SPOC. - Canopus56(Kurt) __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com
--- Michael Carnes <MichaelCarnes@earthlink.net> wrote:
Kurt, just out of curiousity, where in the canyon do you go? mc
If the weather breaks, I'm trying for higher altitude, maybe in Big Cottonwood
None of these are premium sites. I go there rarely, because of headlights on the road, because the Wasatch make their own weather, and because the mountains disrupt laminar wind flow aloft. But, if I want altitude and am not in the mood to drive - 1) Big Cottonwood - Redman Campground turn-off. 2) Big Cottonwood - If the Brighton ski resort lights are off, in any pocket in circle that does not have direct light. 3) Little Cottonwood - with a cheaper scope transported in a trash bag for dust protection - Albion Basin. 4) If the Millcreek Road is open, the Upper Little Water Parking Lot, for zenithal objects. Mars should also be visible there tonight, but the road signs say they lock the gate on Nov. 1, so who knows. 5) Emigration Canyon - Little Mtn. Pass. December and February are the best times because the light pollution is lower than in summer. I have seen the morning gegenschien in February at Little Mtn. Pass for several years. Also bright comets usually resolve well at the flats in Emigration at the turn-out 1/2 mile around the corner from Ruths. Most often for a quick look on brighter non-DSOs (planets and double stars), I go into the semi-dark pocket in East Canyon, into one of the turnoffs between the reservior parking lot and the gate on the East Canyon highway that they close during the winter. Otherwise and more often, it's the longer drive to the gravel pit road, the Unita's or the West desert. - Canopus56(Kurt) __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com
participants (5)
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Canopus56 -
Chuck Hards -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Michael Carnes -
Patrick Wiggins