Reads like a repeat of Tuesday - Wendesday observing. I may be down to the Peak tonight with the 7" .
dvj
-------Original Message-------
From: James Turley - Sky Image Lab <jturley@No-Spam>
Sent: 08/29/03 10:32 AM
To: 'The Astronomy Connection' <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
Subject: [TAC] OR Peak, 8/28. Magnificent
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> The Peak, 8/28
In a word. Magnificent!
Starchy Milky Way from dusk to dawn.
Mars incredibly steady.
RH dropping 80 at dusk, 95 peak, 24 early morning.
Light wind, chilly...warming after midnight.
Classic inversion layer forming
Stupendous observing conditions.
Highlights: Natcher's AP10" binoview of Solus Lacus
and the Bull's Eye on Mars. Viewing an inky
Black Ink Blot B86 in Sag. Thanks Albert!
An enchanting Mars lecture under the stars beside
the observatory.
Archer manning my XT10 adopting families
and first time kids all night. Such delight
to see the kids push a scope the first time, and
bag their first M.
Two Russian guys on terrace offering XO Cognac
at will to all smoking Cuban cigars in honor of Mars.
Richard "The Mage" Crisp C14 AP1200 mighty rig imaging
the Swan creating in narrow bands of exotic wavelengths,
until the scope hits the mountain. Pioneering
imaging techniques before my eyes.
M31, 32, 110 through my scope Vx114ED all night.
200+ Public (customers as JVN would say) lining
up at the 30". All polite. Almost no white light.
Meeting the DPR designer/engineer who designed the
pads and lighting. This was her first time to see
the pads in action.
Fantastic night. Thank you FPOA. Thank you DPR, and
thank you Mars!
James
PS FPOA will be signing a new contract. Astronomy is
alive and well at The Peak.
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