FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Observing tonight

["Peter Argenziano" <pargenz@xxxxxxx>]

It appears that we will have a decent night for observing tonight... so, where 
are folks heading? Let's get the discussion started.
Sunset is at 6:33 pm and astronomical twilight ends at 7:57 pm. That leaves 
about 5½ hours of darkness until the Moon rises at 1:38 am Sunday. And, you may 
extend your observing longer, depending on how long you're willing (or able) to 
ignore a waning crescent Moon with 27% disk illumination.

Given my personal preference for spending more time observing than the 
roundtrip travel time, tonight's dark observing window really allows use of any 
of the sites at our disposal.

I've already heard from several people who are going to the Cherry Road II 
site. I'm a little concerned about the possibility for some light clouds at 
higher elevations. And it will certainly be much cooler up north. In fact, the 
frost warning is down to 6500' tonight. To the east side, the Griffith Ranch 
site is roughly the same elevation as Cherry Road (~4500'), so I would expect 
similar conditions.

I think tonight's moderate temperatures make using one of the desert floor 
sites a viable option. 
Picketpost, Vekol Road, Flatiron, Sentinel, Hovatter Road?

I was impressed with a recent visit to the Hovatter Road site. Good horizons; 
large, flat, dust-free observing field; dark skies; easy to get to (almost all 
freeway); far enough north to be out of the popular 'trade' routes. It's 
downside is that it's a bit of a long drive (exit #53 off I-10). But, I'd be 
willing to go if others are interested in making the trip.

So... what are your plans?

Peter
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