[AZ-Observing] Observing Site (repost)
- From: "Stars" <stars@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 18:39:26 -0700
I understand that the Sentinel site is becoming problematical for some =
of
you and that the search is on for additional winter dark sky sites in
southwest Arizona.=A0 I have been observing for many years at a site =
several
miles northwest of the Hovatter Exit on I-10 and have been joined there =
in
recent years by several members of SAC and EVAC.=A0 We find this to be =
an
exceptional site with regard to dark skies, safety, convenience, and
isolation.=A0 The area is in a broad topographic saddle (1450 feet) and =
is
well above the adjacent valley floors.=A0 It consists of empty desert
pavements of various sizes scattered over a 1/8 X 1/2 mile area =
partitioned
by mesquite, palo verde, creosote, and a few saguaros.=A0 It is quite a
beautiful Sonoran Desert pediment and is on BLM land.=A0 Those looking =
for a
good dark sky site are invited to give it a try.=A0 It is too far away =
for
star parties and probably not suitable for large events like the Schwaar
Star Gaze, but it is an outstanding site for individuals and small =
groups.
Like all sites, it has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:=A0
1.=A0Very dark sky as it goes these days in Arizona.=A0 Much of the =
Phoenix
light dome is blocked by hills and mountains to the east.=A0 It does not =
get
the direct blast as at Sentinel.=A0 The zodiacal band is readily =
visible,
usually across the whole sky. We were even able to see the light echo in
Monoceros a few years back in my 12.5 inch.
2.=A0 It is a straight shot out I-10 to the Hovatter exit and then a few =
miles
of well-graded roads involving two turnoffs.=A0 The last 1/4 to 1/2 mile =
is a
somewhat gravelly, narrow, desert track, although one could drive a =
Mercedes
along it with no problem.=A0 There are abundant observing areas starting
within the first 1/4 mile of the turnoff track; we go in about 1/2 mile.
3.=A0 Traffic on the nearest dirt road is very rare.=A0 We cannot be =
seen easily
from this road.
4.=A0 The southern horizon has a mountain about a mile away that doesn't
project as high as the cinder cone at Sentinel.=A0 On nights of =
exceptional
transparency and steady seeing, I often look at Australian deep sky
objects.=A0
5.=A0 The seeing can get rock solid, although this happens less than 1/2 =
the
time.=A0 It is routine to be able to use >250 X at various times during =
an
average night.=A0 It was really good December 27, with a view of Saturn =
on the
zenith I will never forget.=A0 I was also able to use a 3mm eyepiece =
with a
Barlow on the eskimo planetary nebula as it culminated, a sight that was
truly astounding.=A0 We have never encountered seeing of 10/10, but 8/10 =
with
flashes of higher values can occur there.=A0 Transparency can get as =
good as
any SW Arizona site.
6.=A0 This place appears to be about as safe as it can get.=A0 There is =
no
chance of border traffic here.=A0 There is no vehicular through-traffic =
at
night since the track dead-ends for normal vehicles just to the north of =
our
place.=A0 I have observed alone there many times and always feel totally =
safe
and comfortable. No one without a telescope has ever come up the track =
at
night.
7.=A0 The site has a variety of desert plants, a nearby arroyo, and is =
quite
attractive.=A0 It is a large area with many good places to set up.=A0 =
Those who
get claustrophobic in tight groups can locate away from the pack easily.
8.=A0 The area is elevated relative to the adjacent valleys and well =
above the
ground haze and dust you often get in western AZ.
Disadvantages:
1.=A0 Depending upon where you set up, there is a direct, distant view =
of
headlights on a short stretch of I-10 and the truck-stop lights at the
Vicksburg turnoff.=A0 The vehicle lights are inconsequential, but the
truck-stop lights (2 of them almost coalesced) are about as bright as
Venus.=A0 I set up where a bushy mesquite tree blocks all this and only =
see
the distant lights when I walk away from the telescope area.=A0 All =
these
lights are well below horizon level, so it is easy to find a near or =
distant
row of vegetation that totally blocks all.=A0 Many areas, however, give =
you a
straight view.=A0 My colleagues don't seem to mind these lights and =
often pay
little attention to locating where vegetation blocks all.=A0 In any =
case, the
lights are not destroyers of night vision and do not affect the sky
brightness.=A0 The freeway noise is sometimes just audible as a distant =
hum,
especially in cold weather.=A0 A big mountain is between the site and =
I-10 and
blocks nearly all the noise.
2.=A0 There is some through-going ATV traffic along the track and the =
turnoff
road during the day (only).=A0 We see maybe a half dozen every weekend,
usually in one or two groups.=A0 They just drive past with a wave.=A0 =
The track
has become well-defined in the past couple of years by ATV traffic.=A0 =
Rarely,
one of the riders will come over to see what we are doing.=A0 It is =
usually an
oldfart snowbird from Quartzite. I believe that this is a remote route =
in
the ATV guidebooks.=A0 People are usually on a drive and not out =
screwing
around the way the worst of them do.=A0 So far, the ATV traffic has come =
from
distant sources, either Quartzite, Salome-Where-She-Danced, or an =
evolving
campsite a few hundered yards north of the Hovatter exit (never seen =
more
than 3 camper trailers there, though).=A0 We are not bothered by this =
very
minimal ATV traffic, but you never know what the next weekend might =
bring!
3.=A0 For 2 winter seasons there was a squatter with a trailer for a =
couple of
months about 1/4 mile from where we observe.=A0 I never saw him and he =
hasn't
been back in the past several years.=A0 Could happen again, but this one =
had
no lights at all and just seemed to be some snowbird who wanted =
solitude.
4.=A0 The drive to the turnoff track is really dusty, but the roads are =
wide
and usually smooth.=A0
5.=A0 Anyone who doesn't like desert pavement and prefers softer ground =
will
not like it here.=A0 Some of the pavement areas are a little rocky, but =
there
are also broad areas where it is small chips in a nice mosaic.=A0 The =
black
desert pavement warms up during the day.=A0 This is great in the winter, =
but
one September afternoon gave us a taste of hell.=A0=A0 There is not much =
in the
way of shade on the pavements, so you need cover during the day.=A0 This =
is
not a summer site unless you leave by 10 am the next morning.=A0 I have
enjoyed one-nighters there as late as early June.=A0 Two-nighters are =
possible
as early as September, depending.
6.=A0 This site is 95 miles west of the I-10/I-17 stack.=A0 It is not =
good for
same-night return.=A0 It takes me about 2 hours 30 minutes to get from =
my
house in northeast Mesa, but I am pulling a trailer, have to cross =
downtown
Phoenix,=A0 usually stop at the old Rip Griffen truck stop to experience
highway Americana, and go slowly over the dirt roads.=A0
7.=A0 Astrophotographers may be bothered by the jet traffic departing =
west out
of Sky Harbor.=A0 Until about midnight, there is significant high =
altitude air
traffic overhead.=A0 There is no problem with jet noise or interference =
with
visual observing.=A0 Occasionally, low-flying military aircraft pass =
nearby
during the day.=A0 No bombs or flares ever.
8.=A0 Weekend gunshots are heard on rare occasions, usually way distant =
over
the hill to the east.=A0 One user did report some closer activity =
recently.=A0=A0
So far, this has not been a problem.
So, there is a description as best I can do.=A0 We welcome anyone who =
wants to
give the place a try, but we do ask a few things because this site means =
a
great deal to us:
a.=A0 Please: no radios, white lights, generators, smoking near or =
upwind of
the telescopes, running car engines all night to keep warm, or music =
through
speakers (bring those headphones!).=A0 The ambience of the cosmos over =
the
deep Arizona desert is a treasure and is part of the experience we go =
out
there for.=A0 The area is very clean and we hope it stays that way.
b.=A0 I would appreciate an e-mail if you know in advance you are coming =
out
on weekends near new moon.=A0 You don't need to bother, but I am usually =
there
and like to have some idea of who might be coming out.=A0=A0=A0
c.=A0 Until you get familiar with your favorite observing spot, please =
arrive
before sundown so that you don't have to reconnoiter around with =
headlights.
d.=A0 I have a favorite spot optimal for my telescope-trailer =
configuration
and such.=A0 Please let me have it!!=A0 It's all public land, but I ask =
a favor
here.
e.=A0 Those planning a nighttime departure should locate along the =
southern
periphery. This would cause minimal disruption.
f.=A0 Full-up 5 mw green lasers work just fine at this dark sky site but
should be used sparingly.=A0 The illegal higher power ones should not be =
used
here for 3 safety reasons:=A0 1) accidental turn-ons and unintended
reflections can cause serious eye damage to others,=A0 2) the beams are =
highly
visible and could draw unwelcome visitors, 3) accidental interception of
over-flying aircraft is more likely here because of the enhanced
high-altitude traffic.
You can see the desert pavement and a view southeast from our site =
at:=A0
http://www.public.asu.edu/~iaclpk/telescope.htm
Bill Van Orden (aka Beevo) has some shots at:=A0
http://beevo.com/star_parties.htm=A0(scroll down to December new moon =
weekend)
Here are coordinates and driving directions.=A0 This takes you to the =
little
area where we currently set up.=A0 There are lots of areas in the 1/4 =
mile
south and southwest of this place as well.
Directions from Phoenix:
=A0West on I-10 to Hovatter Exit.=A0 North 1.8 miles, take turnoff to =
left (at N
33 deg 38.324m; W 113 deg 36.766m).=A0=A0 West 2.3 miles to cattleguard =
(N 33d
39.083; W 113d 38.785m).=A0 Turn right after crossing cattle guard (as =
in
start your turn while exiting the cattle guard).=A0 Good observing sites =
begin
on the left as soon as you pass where a track takes off to the west.=A0 =
Our
little spot is about 1/2 mile north of the cattle guard at (N 33d =
39.570m; W
113d 38.629m).
Let me know if you have any questions.=A0 I hope to meet some of you out =
there
in the future.
Sincerely,
Paul
Paul Knauth
Department of Geological Sciences
(to become School of Earth and Space Exploration 7/1/06)
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-1404
480-965-2867 (voice)
480-654-4159 (home)
http://www.public.asu.edu/~iaclpk/
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