[AZ-Observing] Re: What a weekend!!!

Thanks to All,

As the newbie in attendance, I concur with Steve's and other's comments
about what a great weekend of viewing, camping and company last weekend was.
I have no recall of ever seeing anything like the array of stars and the
milky way that I saw last weekend. I now know why they call it the milky
way. However, for a newbie all those stars can create problems.  With SO
MANY stars and not being very discerning on magnitudes, finding some and
certain constellations was like searching for a needle in a haystack.  The
problem was compounded by the fact some stars -- to my eyes -- did not look
particularly brighter than those around them until you looked at them
through a scope. Backyard star gazing is equally problematic for me because
I cannot always even see enough of the stars deemed to make up certain
constellations to be able to recognize them. In short, the problem is either
too many stars or not enough. Dropping the challenge of sorting things out
at my age, by star-hopping about with a chart and small red light (which can
impair my night vision I discovered), I have taken Steve Coe's suggestion to
heart and have order a Celestron CG-5 go to computerized mount to stick
under whatever smaller scope I choose. I feel a bit like I am chickening
out, but so be it.  I cannot pester the likes of Thad all night on every
quandary, helpful though he was. I can only hope that as the go to mechanism
leads me about by the nose, I'll actually learn something about where
everything is in the process. I trust that is more than a rationalization.
Steve is also to be commended on the quality of his directions to the camp
site and his newbie letter on dealing with basic problems, like your car's
interior lights and other points. I torpedoed my vehicle's interior lights
before hand, because of Steve's letter, and my comfort level at the site
rose considerably because I could get stuff out of my car whenever I wanted.
Another skill I think it would be useful for me to acquire is that of being
able to take an good afternoon nap to better last longer at night.  I wound
up reading instead of resting and fell short in the nap department.  I am
also beginning to realize from observation that astronomy is less about the
equipment and more how well you can use what you have. So far, in that
quarter, I suck, but at least now have some direction. I likewise learned
Coe's Law of telescope mounting: tripod leg diameters should be at least
half of the aperture diameter of the scope.  All in all a great weekend.
Thanks to all who lent a hand as I fumbled about. I had much more fun than
it may have appeared.

Kimball

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2004 5:14 PM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: What a weekend!!!


> Thad;
>
> You are very welcome.  A really memorable weekend.....great views....great
> folks....great site.
>
> Lots of fun, maybe we can do it again when the monsoons are over?
>
> Making a list;
> Steve Coe
>
> Author "Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist"
> Saguaro Astronomy Club website
> www.saguaroastro.org
>
>
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
> send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>
>


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