[Chaos-l] Urgent: Observing Tonight?

[Stewart-Taylor, Jon]

Hi all.  I looked at the forecast, and looked at the
Chaos-dark-site-clear-sky-clock, and tonight is going to be a very good
night indeed for deep-sky observing: Very dark, no clouds to speak of,
above average transparency, and very dark.  The seeing won't be great
for planetary observers, but did i mention it's going to be very dark?
 
When i looked at the Chaos web page schedule of observing, i was
surprised to find we're not scheduled for this weekend.
 
Is there any possibility of contacting the site owners to get permission
for an observing session tonight?  It's hard to imagine a better night
to capitalize on the benefits the site offers, with its low horizons and
minimal light domes.
 
Last month i debated about going, because the forecast was chancy, but
the clear-sky-clock showed good observing conditions.  It was literally
down to the last minute whether i'd go at all.  I was standing in the
ECHS parking lot looking at the clouds.  They were moving fast from the
west, and it looked clearer to the west, so i decided to give it a go.
 
I'm very glad i did.  Both the darkness and the transparency were
extraordinary that night.  Open clusters were a little richer, and
galaxies were a little brighter and better defined. The Orion nebula
(M42) showed stronger colors and more detail than i'd ever seen before
in 15 years of observing.  It was a truly magnificent sight, with wisps
and tendrils i'd never seen before, and extending further from the main
body of the nebula.
 
Is it possible to talk to the site owners about an observing session
tonight?  Tonight's big draws:
 
  Orion nebula
  Comet Machholz (currently 4th magnitude, and 3 times larger than
Jupiter)
  Andromeda Galaxy.
  Winter open clusters
  Ursa Major galaxies
 
Plus, if we stay late enough, there's a whole lot of Spring stuff
becoming available.
 
If we aren't able to use the official site, would there be any interest
in a session at an alternate site?   Farrington point is close and
moderately dark.  Any other options?  I'd still prefer to go to the
Oxford site, but tonight's going to be too good to waste.
 
Jon
 
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