FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: How deep can you see?

[Russell Chmela~ <rchmela@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jack wrote:
 
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 A
lot of observers have such bright red light that they are destroying their
night vision whilst thinking they are not. I would use dim any color rather
than these crimson beacons I see out there some times.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
  Guilty as charged. I do sometimes need a bit more light as I start the
evening, but the need gradually tails off as the night progresses. I try
and do most of my chart reading in the van and the sketching, which also
uses the brighter red sometimes. One thing that helped this was to make
my sketches on white paper with black pencil. For years I had used black
paper and white pencil for the natural look. This requires a lot more of
light to do well. I will transpose the sketch to black media during daylight
now. Its the same problem as with black charts with white stars. The best
way I have found for charts is to use the white with black stars and to
light them from behind with red. For walking, I seldom need any light, as
Phoenix seems to do that well at Vekol. I do use one at Sentinel and Az.
City for some walking.
  I have never been dazzled by a red flashlight as most people know to 
point them downwards. The things that get me are the cigarette lighters
used in the open and the video screens. As for the cars, I'll bag my head
with a hood when they come/go. When leaving early, I'll often wait and go
with another car to cut down on the numbers of start-ups/ lights. 

  The worst light of all are those ultra-blue lights that seem to be such
a new status symbol among the import sports car owners. I'm just waiting for
these to get banned when a blinded driver causes a multi-fatal crash. 
  
RC 
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