I will bring my Tak 5" or 3.5", whichever is preferred by the attendees, to a refractor outing if it can be a one night affair. For 2 nighters at dark sites like Sentinel or the All AZ Star Party I really want to bring my 10" reflector since I don't get to use it much at home due to the nasty light pollution. May I also make the somewhat radical suggestion that at least one night of the refractor marathon be held in town? I have never had decent seeing at a desert star party sufficient to really appreciate the 5" refractor (or the 10" reflector for that matter) on doubles or planets/moon. The 3.5" does handle poor seeing pretty well, however. I am a double star person and use the refractors at home almost exclusively where I frequently get 6/10 seeing that produces very good images of doubles and planets/moon. DSOs are better at a dark site of course but if folks want to see what a refractor can do on doubles or planets (which is where they really shine in my opinion) then maybe an outing in the city would be better. My seeing in FH is iffy I suppose because of the hills and weird air currents but I have heard other fellows say they have pretty consistent good seeing in other parts of town. Regards, Bill Wood Fountain Hills, AZ > -----Original Message----- > From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > [mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Steve Coe > Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 12:19 PM > To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Refractor Comparison > > > Howdy; > > Stan and I were discussing this refractor marathon at Cherry Road last > night and thought that we might be able to get it together for the > Sentinel Star Gaze, that is New Moon November 12 and 13. If the SAC and > EVAC refractor owners are willing, I think that could be a fun evening. > I hope that it would be cold enough up north that Brian Skiff and his > Pronto would be willing to drive down for a warm night or two. > > The other thought is the All Arizona Star Party in October. > snip > > Take care; > Steve > > -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.