FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Report on Hovatter site

["Stars" <stars@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Steve for the info.  I don't have the trailer anymore, I traded it
for a 29 foot motor home. My truck just did not do a good job on pulling the
travel trailer.  If the washes are wide at the bottom then I probably could
make it through them.

Thomas Hilton 

-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Coe
Sent: 12/05/2005 1:37 PM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Report on Hovatter site

Tom;

I just don't know if your motor home would make it.  I have not towed a
trailer into any of these spots.  To answer you question, the washes are
fairly deep (8 feet), but the road is not steep into them.  I don't have =
a
feel for how much your vehicle and trailer need for clearance.  It is =
not at
all difficult with the Subaru, if that is helpful.  As with most washes
there is some sandy soil at the bottom, so it is a little soft.

Maybe we need to have a night there that is not an overnight star party, =
I
know that it is a long drive for that, but it would acquaint everyone =
with
the spot.

Stan, I moved the Sentinel Star Gaze to the Fall, so that it would not =
be so
close to the Messier Marathon.  As several have said, this is the latest =
it
has ever been and that is because of the way the moon phase was tangled =
up
with Thanksgiving.

Steve Coe


-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stars
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 9:45 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Report on Hovatter site

Steve, how deep and long are the two washes on the way to this site.  My
motor home has low clearance, and hits easy on the rear.

Thomas Hilton

-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Coe
Sent: 12/05/2005 2:57 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Report on Hovatter site

Howdy all;
=20

Well, it stayed clear so I decided to try the "Antenna" site at the =
Hovatter
exit.  This is exit 53, so it is about 100 miles from central Phoenix.  =
The
site is 2.0 miles south of I-10, the road goes past an large cell phone
antenna farm, hence the name.  After two washes, there is a large desert
pavement on the left.  It is easy to spot since someone has dumped an =
old
washing machine there.

=20

There is one lonely light far in the distance to the southwest, I guess =
a
pump station or ranch house.  It did not disturb me.  The red lights on =
the
antennas are off toward the north, so I had little problem with them as
well.

=20

There is some traffic noise from the freeway.  Trucks are making their =
way
up a hill and so it is not as quiet as Sentinel.  However, I found the =
skies
to be better.  There is a low range of hills to the east that blocks off
some of the lights of Phoenix and the light dome does not seem to be as
large as Phoenix appears from Sentinel.  Maybe more dust in the air at
Sentinel?

=20

I think this can be a very useful site.  There is plenty of room, at =
least
as much as Sentinel.  It seems darker to my eye and it is still pretty =
easy
to get at, the same two miles on a good dirt road at both sites. =20

=20

We can give it a try over the next couple of months and see what people
think.

=20

Clear Skies to us all;

Steve Coe


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