[Chaos-l] Semi-Observing At Medoc Mountain Last Night

[Mark South]

I'm going to try to make it Friday or Saturday.
Yeah!!!!!
Mark

Sent from my cell

On Jan 17, 2009, at 2:15 PM, Robert Nielsen <robertnielsen at nc.rr.com>  
wrote:

> Everyone,
>
> I happened to go to Medoc Mountain State Park last night, as sort of  
> a "scouting" expedition, and met with Allen Davis who lives nearby  
> (he's the guy who setup near us at MASP with the Tak 150 refractor  
> complete with turret, etc).   I didn't mention it on the listserve  
> because the observing was only going to be for a few hours (the last  
> quarter moon rose around midnight and there were clouds off and on  
> until about 8:30 PM) and I didn't think most people would be  
> interested in driving 3 hours for less than six hours of possible  
> observing.
>
> Plus it was COLD!!!!
>
> Did I mention it was COLD?
>
> In fact, I didn't even bring a scope last night, although Allen did  
> hook up his "trailer of astronomical gear" to his truck and brought  
> it over and setup a 4-inch refractor for both of us to use.    
> Mostly, we spent about half the time observing and the other half of  
> the time talking in front of a nice, warm fire.    I thoroughly  
> enjoyed it.   And I feel prepared to try to go there next weekend  
> for an extended observing trip, if the weather cooperates.
>
> My plans are to be there multiple nights ... all of which will be  
> dictated by the weather.   The park ranger (Nicole Crider, who I met  
> last night) will be presenting an astronomical program for the  
> public on Monday (yes, Monday) night the 26th, and I was planning on  
> taking a vacation day from work that Monday if needed and staying  
> and helping with that.   But if things work out, I might be there  
> Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights as well.  I'm planning on  
> setting up the scope in the middle of their large field, and setting  
> up a tent and camping in the nearby campground.   I will get the  
> necessary permit for "observing", so if anyone else wants to join me  
> next weekend just let me know and I will get the permit for everyone  
> involved.  I also plan on getting one of the campsites with  
> electrical connection to recharge my batteries for the next night of  
> observing.   I will be bringing the "monster tent" ... and if  
> someone wants to just bring a pad and sleeping bag, they are welcome  
> to stay in my tent if you like.
>
> The campground is very nice (in my opinion).   Apparently there was  
> a major renovation that happened about 4-5 years ago, and there is  
> now a heated bathhouse with warm showers and all that.   If this  
> works out as nicely as I think it might, perhaps we can reserve one  
> of the group campsites for a mini-CHAOS-star party in the spring.
>
> And yes, the skies are amazing out there.   You don't normally get  
> to see the winter Milky Way extend all the way to AND THROUGH  
> Gemini!   Allen has said that there have been nights when he has  
> been there when M33 was a naked-eye object.  It wasn't (for my older  
> eyes) visible naked-eye last night, but using the tricks I learned  
> last CHAOS meeting for determining limiting magnitude, I could see  
> ALL FOUR BOWL STARS in the little dipper.   I think that means I  
> could see down to magnitude 5.  I guess that's what 10 degree  
> temperature and 20% humidity will get you ...
>
> So let me know if you would like to come, or also if you would like  
> to camp.
>
> And remember that Astronomy Days is also next weekend.   Walter has  
> signed me up for the "middle of the day" shift on Saturday, which  
> means I might have to drive back and forth on Saturday but I think I  
> can swing it.   If you have different shifts and want to come next  
> weekend to Medoc Mountain, I'm sure Walter can work something out.   
> The "trick" is that the gate to the observing field and campground  
> closes at 6 PM at night, and opens at 8 AM in the morning.   It  
> takes (from my house in Chapel Hill) 1 hour and 34 minutes to drive  
> there.  We might be able to get the ranger to open/close it at  
> different times if needed ... but I want to start off right with the  
> staff at the park, because I think I might be doing a lot of  
> observing there.
>
> Robert
>
>
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