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

Kimball;

Always happy to hear from a satisfied "customer".

Yes, taking an afternoon nap is a necessary skill, it just takes practice.

As far as finding your way around the sky, I really do think that there is a
method that works.  Show up at a Flatiron or Cherry Road star party (here is
the "secret" method) WITHOUT a telescope.  Just bring some binoculars and a
moderate scale star chart or big planesphere.  Then, find your way around
the sky when there is not a bewildering number of stars to overwhelm your
poor eyeballs.

I have done this a few times over the years as I have remembered and
forgotten star patterns.  It is a fun evening, you can find your way among
the stars and get a chance to view the sky through some other people's
telescopes.  Of course, this is assuming that every club member does not
decide to try this same technique on the same night;-)

This time of year the Little Dipper is a great place to get a handle on star
magnitudes.  There are lots of different star brightness's represented among
the stars of the Little Dipper and you can print out a chart from most any
planetarium program and see for yourself the magnitude differences.

Anyway....I am very happy that the whole thing went as well as it did.  The
only problems I know of are the insects (my legs are mincemeat), the wind
blowing over Richard Payne's scope and inflicting a deep ding in the tube
and the film in my camera breaking....I am hoping that Mr. Telescope can
salvage some of the shots.  I have Sept. New Moon marked on my calendar.

One can only hope;
Steve


Author "Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist"
Saguaro Astronomy Club website
www.saguaroastro.org


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