FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Fire near flatiron?

[Andrew Goodwin <a.goodwin1@xxxxxxx>]

   I too noticed the thick low dark smoke like smog as I left for Flat 
Iron last night. I arrived at the site at 7:30 to find it deserted. I 
parked my truck and walked around the site. The ground did have the 
crunch of dry grass and weeds. I waited to see if any one else would 
arrive after dark. The stars over head were clear and there was no wind 
at all. I moved my truck to the "prime" area and opened up the back 
unpacked my chair and relaxed looking at Orion. I then took out my 
binoculars and scanned the sky slowly. I kept hearing some rustling in 
near the tree. I  turned on my flashlight  and several green eyes 
appeared.  Myself and them were all startled and they ran off. A pack 
of  havaleenas (sp)! I did not expect to see them as they have a keen 
sent of smell. I  started to recall (name withheld) story of polar bears 
and other creatures waiting to attack and I kept hearing things all 
around me. I had to promise not to observe alone to my wife. I tried to 
reach Wes on the radio and only heard a conversation about a weather 
balloon. I decided to pack up and head home at 9:00 or so. Call me 
chicken. but the smoke and sounds were just too eerie that night. 
However I will try again tonight.

Clear Skies.

Andrew Goodwin

 Ken Reeves wrote:

> 
>I left home about 7:00 to head out to Flatiron.  On the way out through
>Wickenberg, I noticed what appeared to be a thick high cloud, but kind of
>looked like smoke.  By the time I got to Wickenberg, it was dark enough that
>I couldn't really see what was going on, so I continued on toward Flatiron. 
>As I got closer, I could definitely smell smoke and noticed much haze in my
>headlights and those of oncoming vehicles.  I stopped at the dirt road and
>itwas the strangest phenomenon, the stars overhead were fairly clear, but
>youcouldn't see any of the light of Phoenix!.  The smell of smoke was very
>strong at this point but I couldn't see any fire.  At this point, I decided
>to turn around and head back rather that work through the smoke or try to
>find another place closer to Wickenberg.
>
>One thing I really want to emphasize to all us astronomers is be very
>carefulwhere you park, especially if you arrive after dark.  All that green
>growth is now turning brown, and it won't take much to start a fire from a
>hot catalytic converter.
>
>I know all of us are careful and concerned, but it is hard to see where dry
>grass is in the dark.
>
>Good luck for anyone going out tomorrow (Saturday).  I already have previous
>commitments, so I won't make it.
>
>Ken Reeves
>
>--
>See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
>send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>
>
>
>  
>


--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
send personal replies to the author, not the list.