[sac-forum] Re: Lunar Observing . . .

    Oh yeah, I am "working on" all three of those.  But my approach now is 
somewhat different than it was when I was doing the Messier, 110 Best of the 
NGC, and the H-400.  When I did those lists, like most I suppose, I was really 
focused on list target objects, you know, find one, log it and go on to another 
list object.   Anyway, what I do now is rather like walking the beach picking 
up shells.  I start by picking a target constellation, and then, using Skytools 
database search, I use the computer to select for me a number of objects from 
that constellation that are bright and pretty easy in the 16", say mag 13 or 
brighter.  I tell skytools to eliminate all objects that I've already logged, 
and that creates a list for that constellation.  Depending on the night I have 
coming up I may pick more than one constellation, but usually just one that is 
placed well to observe for the night (or early morning) in question. Then when 
I am out, I will start of course with an object on the list and observe it, and 
then look around on the Skytools chart and see what else is nearby and, one by 
one, I'll just move from object to object observing until I run out of nearby 
objects, then I pick another object from the list and off we go again.  I know 
that after a while I'm going to get to a point where if I go back and look at 
the Herschel II or the SAC 110 Best Beyond, I will have logged most of them and 
will clean up the ones few remaining at that time.  But right now I am having a 
lot of fun just observing and not really being "list" focused.  Of course it is 
likely that I'll have the 1000 New Objects award before the other two going at 
it this way but we'll see.  I have logged over 560 deep sky objects towards the 
1000 New so far.                 
    Everything other than the last few H-400s was with my 10" Starfinder Dob, 
upgraded with a custom primary and secondary coatings from Spectrum (Max-R EAL 
98% primary) and a MoonLite CR-1 focuser.  Everything since then has been with 
my Lightbridge 16, also upgraded with Spectrum coated primary and secondary 
mirrors, Moonlite CR-2 focuser, and Astro-tech 66mm ED Apo finderscope. If you 
read the magazine Amateur Astronomy I wrote an article about how I made a few 
improvements to my Lightbridge to fix some of the design flaw problems that 
will be in issue #60 in three months.
    Basically my backyard is my "dark sky site".  Mag 5 to 5.3 is about as good 
as it gets here at home.  I have visited the Birmingham AL club at their site 
on Chandler mountain once and it was really no better than home, and no coffee 
so I have not gone back there :-)    I also visited one glorious June 2007 
night with the Chattanooga Club (Barnard Astronomy Club) at their site (Orion 
Acres) with mag 6 ish skies but I've not been back again mostly due to we just 
haven't had a good weekend of weather to do so on a weekend I could go.  I 
joined the Chiefland Village club a few months ago but have not found the 
opportunity to get down there yet, again mostly due to weather not being good 
for the trip.  My little local club here in Jacksonville where I work, we have 
a farm we use as our club star party site, its about mag 5 at best.  But 99% or 
my observing is at home.  
    Hey I'm really impressed with you completing the H-400 with an 8" from 
suburban skies! I had a time for a few of those from my home with a 10".  And I 
also gotta say that, while the Herschel II is a bit challenging, that 110 Best 
Beyond has got some real tough ones on there for mag 5 skies even with the 16! 
I am jealous as heck to have the desert dark skies you guys get there in 
Phoenix.  But one day I'll join you.  until I do though I think the 110 BB will 
be a real tough one for me. How is that for you and the 11?  Gee if you can get 
a lot of that list with an 11 that's something.  

David Hofland
Director, Student Services
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Jacksonville State University
256.782.5276
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Harshaw 
  To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 10:07 AM
  Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Lunar Observing . . .


  Congrats, Dave!  Have you started the Herschel II's, or the 1000 New Objects, 
or Best 110 Beyond the NGC?  I did the H400 with an 8" SCT from a suburban 
location (only a few observations made from a rural site), and the Herschel II 
with an 11" SCT from suburban and rural sites.  

   

   

  Richard Harshaw

  Cave Creek, AZ

   

  From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
On Behalf Of David Hofland
  Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 7:48 AM
  To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Lunar Observing . . .

   

  Thanks Darrell! The SAC, in my humble opinion, is the premier deep sky 
observing club to belong to in the US.  Its my plan to one day soon take some 
time to travel out there and observe with you at one or the desert dark sky 
sites but until that happens I have to be a member of the relatively tiny 
SAC-East branch of the club here in Alabama (Membership one I think).   Ummmm 
what about the Herschels?   I completed the H-400 a few months ago. :-)   

   

  David Hofland
  Director, Student Services
  College of Nursing and Health Sciences
  Jacksonville State University
  256.782.5276

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Spencer, Darrell 

    To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

    Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 9:11 AM

    Subject: [sac-forum] Lunar Observing . . .

     

    By the way, David, congratulations on completing the Lunar Observing 
Program with SAC!

     

    You were applauded at the last club meeting and deservedly so.

     

    Now, about those Herschels . . .

     

     

    Best regards,

     

    - Darrell Spencer

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