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

[Mark Lerch]

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-----Original Message-----
From: chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Nielsen
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 2:16 PM
To: Chapel Hill Astronomical Observation Society
Subject: [Chaos-l] Semi-Observing At Medoc Mountain Last Night

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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