><name withheld> (Matt who else) >> >> So what's a star-hugger to do? Seek councilling, dream of pristine = >> nights >> past, make telescopes (of course) and maybe buy a Planetarium: >> >> http://antiqueradio.org/art/spitz01.jpg >> >> <name withheld> For all those bemoaning the Arizona weather, believe me most of the rest of the country on the average is much worse. I lived in Syracuse, NY for two years before coming to Arizona. I joined the Syracuse Astronomical Society. I do not remember even one star party during those two years. Meetings discussed telescope making and pictures taken elsewhere and dreams of clear nights. Being retired has a great advantage as I can observe any time during the week, not just weekends. Plus having two backyard observatories makes it perfect. Arizona is one of the best places in the country if not the world for astronomy. That's why there are more professional observatories in Arizona than any other place. Have faith. The weather will improve. Now is the time to fine tune your equipment read up on things you have been putting off and make plans for when your next clear night observing rolls around. BTW, Sunday night around 7:30 PM the clouds passed over Phoenix and what was left was a great night of observing. There were still some clouds around, but I got a couple of grand hours of observing in. Jeff -- Jeff Hopkins HPO SOFT http://www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html ********************************************************* Small minds speak about people * Average minds speak of events ************ Great minds speak of ideas! **************** ********************************************************* Hopkins Phoenix Observatory 7812 West Clayton Drive Phoenix, Arizona 85033-2439 U.S.A. www.hposoft.com -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.