> Randy Peterson and I drove up to Badger Springs Rd. on I-17, to try for > an asteroid occultation last night (Sunday, Jan. 18). The centerline of > the predicted track passed over that area. But there were drifting > clouds, and (of course) during the predicted time of the event.... a > thick batch of clouds covered up the target star, which was west and > slightly south of Regulus. So... no event to report. Our combined > video gear worked ok. It was definitely cold! Temperature measured > about 39 degrees... > > There are fairly decent areas for parking and observing well off the > frontage road to the east aolng the well-graded dirt road leading from > the Badger Springs interchange. Yes, now, but if it rains, beware. It is very muddy and you cannot make it. Stan This is now part of the Agua Fria > National Monument, and signage designates that, and some restrictions. > Many years ago (hmmmm...about 33 years ago, asamatteroffact) I observed > from a spot up the dirt road, from the ridge to the east with Louis Boyd. > > Seeing at Badger Springs was moderately steady last night, and > transparency very good (in between the clouds). Of course, Aurora > Phoenicia is very prominent along the southern horizon. Overall, very > similar to what we used to see at Dugas Road years ago. > > FYI, the Sunset Point Rest Area on I-17 is still undergoing major > reconstruction, and the frontage road off-ramps there are still > barricaded. For some reason, the high pole floodlights there are still > turned on... but those are not visible from Badger Springs (which is > about 5 miles north). > > Gene Lucas > (17250) > -- > 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.