[sac-forum] Re: Messier Marathon results questions

Richard,
   
  I agree about the better observing after 0200>>.  Although lately it has been 
very cold and a bit windy then (both here in the valley and at some of the 
darker sky locations up north of Phx towards Flagstaff we drive too.  We are 
usually up doing all nighters with lots of energy drinks in order to take most 
Astro-Imaging at that time (providing the wind properly cooperates.. grin...), 
can't drink coffee,  makes me too jittery and unable to get any good fine focus 
(manually for viewing), although okay when using the elec. focuser, grin.  But, 
in the end it does seem the sky clears up the few hours prior to sunrise 
twilight, etc..  Just my two cents worth / humble opinion.  Take care.
   
  Respectfully,
  Steve Palmer
  

Richard Harshaw <rharshaw2@xxxxxxx> wrote:
  You remind me of something I have been meaning to try since I moved to 
Arizona. I have heard that it is often a good idea to observe for a few hours 
after sunset and then do what you did-- go to bed and wake up (via an alarm 
clock) at 1:00 or 2:00 am and observe until sunrise. I have heard that the 
2:00-4:00 window is usually especially pristine. Having grown up in the 
Midwest, that was hardly ever the case in our soupy skies, but is it true here 
in Arizona? Can any local experienced observers confirm this? 

In the past when I have done all nighters, I am usually pretty tired by 2:00 
and so may be missing good observing and details in that pristine window when I 
do not take the midnight nap.


Richard Harshaw
Cave Creek, AZ


-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of David Hofland
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 9:08 AM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Messier Marathon results questions

Coffee is God's gift to mankind! When I am observing the pot is always on 
in the kitchen starting around midnight.

I am still recovering from an all nighter Saturday night/Sunday morning. It 
was the first good clear night for a couple weeks. Did lunar observing in 
the early Saturday evening, a short nap to await the moon set and got out to 
observe at 1:30 am just as the moon was setting. So about 2 hours sleep in 
that nap and the rest of the night was great observing. My wife won't let 
me sleep away Sunday during the day with church and chores. So last night 
was first good sleep since Friday night. I really should not comment on 
anything for at least 72 hours after an all-nighter. :-)

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

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