[AZ-Observing] Re: Report on Hovatter site

Thad,

Your point are well taken. As I said to Steve in an earlier post, I had some
of my best night observing from Sentinel. However, I feel one can't ignore
the local law enforcement agencies in their assessment of the increased
risk. The last thing I want to happen, especially on my watch, would be any
kind of run in with people whose intent is less than honorable. At best, it
could be a scary incident, at worst..... 

As I Indicated earlier, Options need to be explored, Steve's Hovatter road
site has promise, sound s like a good excuse to get out after the holidays.
Also it wouldn't hurt to see if there is anything useable north of I-8 as
well.

Clear Skies

Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org


-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Thad Robosson
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 10:18 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Report on Hovatter site

Tom sez......  It looks like the only downside compared to Sentinel is that
the lights to the east of Yuma are now placed more to the south.


I say.....Not at all.  There are plenty of mountains in the direction of 
Yuma.  Even from Sentinel,
the dome from Yuma was low on the horizon.  The Little Horn and other 
mountains in the vicinity
should mitigate any domes in that direction.


Steve and Rosie sez......I see no problems with the site, it is convenient 
for us and
moving the party to the north for the convenience of a few seems a pity.


I say.....It's not about convenience, but realizing that Sentinel is 
starting to show signs of not being
all that it was.  It is a reasonable to say that I-8 is a major target for 
illegal activity, and that
any road leading to it from the more southern parts of the state will be 
used as such. Plenty of
observers have witnessed the Border Patrol spotlights (myself included) and 
a few of us were
there the night the car made it's way North down the road with no lights on.

This is on top of
the impending refinery and the ever-growing dome from Phoenix.  Heck, take a

look at the tire
tracks going up the hill just south of the site.  Border Patrol uses it for 
a convenient spotting area.
They weren't there a couple years ago......I'm not ready to give up on 
Sentinel just yet. But
it's not a bad idea to have several sites available.  No reason to not 
explore possibilities.

Thad

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