FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Geminids

["Bill VanOrden" <beevo1@xxxxxxx>]

This time of year the campground is not going to be bustling.  As far as =
direct light encroachment I have figured out there are a few sites =
without direct shine of any kind of lights, cars in the campground =
excepted.

Beevo

-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Tom Polakis
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:37 PM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Geminids


---- "Spencer wrote:=20
> I've often wondered about Picacho Peak due to its easy access.  How =
does
> the freeway intrude on observing there?


A lot!  Bernie Sanden and I tried to find a site in the park a number of =
years ago, and learned that the only place in the park that does not =
have a good view of I-10 is the campground, which bustles with activity =
in the early evening hours.  The parade of headlights on eastbound I-10 =
are only a part of the problem.  The real offender is the T/A travel =
plaza, which has huge lights on very tall poles.

As for the Geminids, if you're interested only in the shower for your =
observing trip, be aware that the rate of meteor activity plunges =
quickly after the maximum, in contrast with the slow rise.  This year, =
the peak occurs at 10 a.m. MST on Friday, so by observing time on Friday =
night, activity will be quieter than Thursday night.  There's a good =
story on S&T's site:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/12207486.html

Tom
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