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

P.S.

Why not another five mile meadow adventure in July.  It certainly won't be
colder.

Kimball Corson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kimball Corson" <kandj1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2004 3:49 PM
Subject: [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.
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> 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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